Study in Romania for Indian Students 2026

Estimated reading time: 17 minutes

Romania does not show up on most Indian students’ shortlists. That is partly why it is worth looking at seriously.

It is a full European Union member state. Degrees from Romanian universities carry the same EU recognition as degrees from Germany, France, or the Netherlands, at a fraction of the cost. For Indian students pursuing MBBS, it is one of the few destinations in Europe where NMC-recognised medical programs are available in English, without a NEET cutoff for admission to the university itself. For students pursuing engineering, computer science, or business, tuition fees are among the lowest in the EU while academic standards are governed by the Bologna Process.

None of this makes Romania the right choice for everyone. There are genuine limitations, and this guide covers those honestly. But for the right student profile, studying in Romania in 2026 is a legitimately strong option that most consultants underexplore because there is less commission in it.

This guide covers everything Indian students need to make an informed decision: tuition fees by field, the MBBS route in detail, top universities with updated data, cost of living by city, the D/SD student visa process, and the honest tradeoffs.

Romania at a Glance: Key Facts for Indian Students

Detail	2026 Status
EU Member State	Yes, since 2007
Schengen Area	Yes, Romania joined Schengen in January 2025
Bologna Process	Yes, degrees EU-recognised
Language of Instruction	English available for most programs at public universities
IELTS Required	Varies by university, many accept TOEFL or internal test
Tuition Fees (Non-EU)	EUR 1,700 to EUR 8,500 per year depending on field
Cost of Living	EUR 400 to EUR 650 per month depending on city
Student Work Rights	Up to 4 hours per day (part-time) without separate work permit
NMC Recognition (MBBS)	Yes, for approved medical universities
Romanian Govt Scholarship	Available for 2026-27, application open

Romania officially joined the Schengen zone in January 2025. This means Indian students studying in Romania now have freedom of movement across 29 Schengen member countries, which significantly improves the value of a Romanian degree for students considering careers or further study elsewhere in Europe.

Why Indian Students Are Choosing Romania in 2026

EU degree at a non-EU price

Romanian universities follow the Bologna System, which standardises degree recognition across Europe. A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from Babes-Bolyai University or the University of Bucharest is treated the same as one from a German or Dutch university for the purposes of employment and further study within the EU. The difference is cost. Tuition fees in Romania for non-EU students typically range from EUR 1,700 to EUR 4,500 per year for most programs. The equivalent in Germany at a private university or in the Netherlands would be three to four times higher.

MBBS in Europe without the barriers that block other routes

Germany, France, and most Western European countries require either local language proficiency or exceptionally high academic scores to enter medical programs. Romania offers MBBS and MD programs in English at NMC-recognised universities without either of those barriers. There is no entrance exam administered by the university. Admission is based on Class 12 marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. NEET qualification is required for students who want to practice medicine in India after graduation, but it is not a university admission requirement in Romania.

For Indian students who want a European medical education, are NEET-qualified, and cannot access Germany or the UK due to cost or language, Romania is one of the most direct routes available.

Schengen access from 2025

Romania’s accession to the Schengen zone in January 2025 is a material change for Indian students. It means that with a Romanian student residence permit, you can travel freely across 29 Schengen countries without additional visas. For students who want to work in Germany, France, or elsewhere in the EU after graduation, a Romanian degree combined with Schengen mobility is a stronger platform than it was even two years ago.

Affordable cost of living by European standards

Romania has one of the lowest costs of living in the EU. Monthly expenses for a student in Bucharest, including accommodation, food, local transport, and utilities, typically run between EUR 500 and EUR 650. In university cities like Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, or Iasi, the same budget covers a more comfortable lifestyle, with rent and food costs noticeably lower than the capital. By comparison, students in Germany spend EUR 900 to EUR 1,200 per month, and in the Netherlands EUR 1,000 to EUR 1,400.

MBBS in Romania for Indian Students: The Complete Picture

MBBS in Romania is the primary reason most Indian students research this destination. It deserves its own detailed section because the details matter.

Program structure

MBBS in Romania is a six-year program: five years of academic and clinical study, plus one year of mandatory internship at a university-affiliated hospital. The degree is equivalent to an MD in the European system. Teaching is in English for international students.

NMC recognition and the NEXT exam

Romanian medical universities that are NMC-approved allow Indian graduates to appear for the National Exit Test (NEXT) in India, which replaced the old FMGE screening test. Under the current NMC Gazette guidelines, a Romanian MBBS qualifies for NEXT eligibility if:

• The course duration is 54 months or more (Romanian programs are 6 years, so this is met)
• Teaching is in English medium
• The program includes a one-year internship
• The university is listed in the Ministry of Health of Romania’s approved list
• The degree is recognised by the NMC India

Not all private medical colleges in Romania are NMC-recognised. Before applying to any Romanian medical university, verify its current status on the NMC India official website. The NMC list is updated periodically. An unrecognised degree means you cannot sit the NEXT exam and cannot practice in India.

Top NMC-recognised medical universities in Romania

University	City	Annual Fees (Approx.)	Key Notes
Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy	Bucharest	EUR 6,000 to EUR 8,000	Most established, highest clinical exposure in Bucharest hospitals
Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy	Cluj-Napoca	EUR 6,000 to EUR 7,500	Strong research output, lower cost of living city
Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy	Timisoara	EUR 5,500 to EUR 7,000	Western Romania, close to Hungarian and Serbian borders
Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy	Iasi	EUR 5,000 to EUR 7,000	Eastern Romania, lower living costs than Bucharest
Ovidius University (Faculty of Medicine)	Constanta	EUR 5,500 to EUR 7,000	Black Sea coast location, smaller city

MBBS eligibility for Indian students (2026)

• Age: Minimum 17, maximum 25 years (5-year relaxation for reserved categories)
• Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology: Minimum 50% for general category, 40% for reserved
• NEET qualification: Required if you plan to practice in India post-graduation. Not required for university admission in Romania, but the NMC mandates NEET qualification for any Indian student pursuing MBBS abroad who intends to return to India
• No entrance exam administered by Romanian universities: Admission is based on a ranking list calculated from your Class 12 academic scores converted to the Romanian system

Tuition fees for MBBS in Romania

MBBS tuition in Romania ranges from approximately EUR 5,000 to EUR 8,500 per year depending on the university. Over six years, total tuition costs run between EUR 30,000 and EUR 51,000. At current exchange rates, that is approximately INR 27 to 47 lakhs for the full course, excluding living costs. This compares favourably with private medical colleges in India, where MBBS fees can exceed INR 50 to 80 lakhs for the full course at many institutions.

Important warning about agents and unrecognised colleges

Romania’s MBBS market has a significant problem with fraudulent agents promoting unaccredited or newly established private colleges that are not on the NMC list. Indian students have paid admission fees to institutions that later lost their recognition or were never NMC-approved. Always verify NMC status directly on nmc.org.in before paying any fees or signing any agreements. Do not rely on an agent’s word or a college’s own website claim.

Other Popular Programs for Indian Students in Romania

Engineering and Computer Science

Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (TUCN) and Politehnica University of Bucharest are well-regarded for engineering programs. Computer science and IT programs are available in English at multiple universities. Tuition fees for engineering programs typically run EUR 2,000 to EUR 4,000 per year for non-EU students.

Business and Management

Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE) is the leading business school in Romania and one of the largest economics-focused universities in Central and Eastern Europe. Tuition for international students in business programs is typically EUR 2,000 to EUR 3,500 per year.

Arts and Humanities

The University of Bucharest and Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca both have strong humanities faculties. These programs are less commonly chosen by Indian students but are worth considering for students interested in European studies, linguistics, or the social sciences.

Top Universities in Romania for Indian Students (2026)

University	QS Ranking 2026	Location	Key Programs	Annual Fees (Non-EU)
Babes-Bolyai University	801-850	Cluj-Napoca	Sciences, Arts, Business, Law	EUR 2,500 to EUR 4,500
University of Bucharest	851-900	Bucharest	Sciences, Humanities, Law, CS	EUR 2,200 to EUR 4,000
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca	1001-1200	Cluj-Napoca	Engineering, CS, Architecture	EUR 2,000 to EUR 3,500
Politehnica University of Bucharest	1001-1200	Bucharest	Engineering, CS, Applied Sciences	EUR 2,000 to EUR 3,800
Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE)	1201+	Bucharest	Business, Economics, Finance	EUR 2,000 to EUR 3,500
Alexandru Ioan Cuza University	1201+	Iasi	Sciences, Social Sciences, Law	EUR 1,700 to EUR 3,200

QS rankings for Romanian universities are mid-tier by global standards. This is an honest limitation. A degree from Babes-Bolyai carries strong recognition within Europe and especially in Central and Eastern Europe, but it does not carry the same name recognition as TU Munich or UCL outside the EU. If your goal requires a globally top-ranked degree brand, Romania is not the right answer. If your goal is a EU-recognised degree at affordable cost with the option to work in Europe afterward, it is a strong one.

Cost of Studying in Romania: 2026 Figures

Tuition fees by field

Field	Annual Tuition (Non-EU Students)	INR Equivalent (Approx.)
Medicine (MBBS/MD)	EUR 5,000 to EUR 8,500	INR 4.6L to INR 7.8L
Engineering and CS	EUR 2,000 to EUR 4,000	INR 1.8L to INR 3.7L
Business and Economics	EUR 2,000 to EUR 3,500	INR 1.8L to INR 3.2L
Sciences and Humanities	EUR 1,700 to EUR 3,200	INR 1.6L to INR 2.9L
Architecture and Design	EUR 2,500 to EUR 4,000	INR 2.3L to INR 3.7L

Cost of living by city

City	Monthly Living Cost (Est.)	Notes
Bucharest	EUR 550 to EUR 700	Capital, highest costs, best career opportunities and hospital access
Cluj-Napoca	EUR 450 to EUR 600	Large student city, strong IT sector, lower rent than Bucharest
Timisoara	EUR 400 to EUR 550	Western Romania, growing tech scene, affordable
Iasi	EUR 350 to EUR 500	Eastern Romania, lowest costs, strong medical and humanities universities
Constanta	EUR 350 to EUR 480	Black Sea coast, affordable, smaller city

Living costs include accommodation (student hostel or shared apartment), food, local transport, and utilities. Student hostels at public universities cost approximately EUR 60 to EUR 150 per month, making them significantly cheaper than renting privately. Most medical universities guarantee hostel accommodation for first-year international students.

Scholarships to Study in Romania for Indian Students

Romanian Government Scholarship Programme

The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers an annual scholarship programme for non-EU students. For the 2026-27 academic year, the programme has been launched and applications are open. The scholarship covers tuition fees, accommodation in a student hostel, and a monthly stipend. It is competitive and based on academic merit.

Indian students can apply through the Romanian Embassy in New Delhi. Application deadlines are typically in March to April each year for the following academic year. Check the Romanian Embassy India website directly for the current cycle deadline.

University-specific scholarships

Several Romanian universities offer merit-based partial scholarships for international students, typically covering a percentage of tuition fees. Some medical universities offer fee reductions for high-performing applicants. Contact the international admissions office of your target university directly for current availability.

Erasmus+ mobility

If you are enrolled at an Indian university that has an Erasmus+ partnership with a Romanian institution, you may be eligible for an Erasmus+ exchange grant. This is more relevant for students doing a semester or year abroad than for full degree programs.

Romania Student Visa (D/SD): How to Apply from India

Indian students need a long-stay student visa, designated Type D/SD, to study in Romania for programs longer than 90 days. The application is submitted at the Romanian Embassy in New Delhi or the Consulate General in Mumbai.

Document checklist

• Valid passport with at least 3 months validity beyond your intended stay
• Letter of Acceptance issued by the Romanian Ministry of Education (not just the university letter, the Ministry-issued acceptance document)
• Proof of tuition fee payment for at least one academic year
• Bank statement showing a minimum equivalent of USD 4,000 (approximately INR 3.3 lakhs), signed and stamped by the bank. This must be in the applicant’s own name.
• Travel medical insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 coverage for the full period of stay. The insurance must be verifiable online. Check that your insurer’s policy can be verified on their website before purchase.
• Completed visa application form (submitted through evisa.mae.ro, the official Romanian e-visa portal)
• Passport-sized photographs meeting Romanian embassy specifications
• Original academic documents (Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets and certificates) with Apostille from the Ministry of External Affairs, India
• Criminal record certificate (Police Clearance Certificate) from India

Do not submit medical certificates with your visa application. Romanian Embassy India specifically states that medical certificates are not required for the visa. They are required later for university enrolment after arrival.

Application process and timeline

1. Book your appointment on the Romanian e-visa portal (evisa.mae.ro). Personal attendance at the embassy is compulsory.
2. Interview appointments are scheduled from July 1 each year for the September intake.
3. Submit all documents in original plus copies at your appointment. Academic originals must be apostilled.
4. Pay the visa processing fee of approximately EUR 120 at the embassy.
5. Wait for processing. The legal processing time for a D/SD visa is up to 60 days. Apply at least 45 days before your intended departure, but no earlier than 3 months before your course start date.

After arrival: Residence permit

The D/SD visa is valid for 90 days and allows one or more entries. After arriving in Romania, you must apply for a Temporary Residence Permit for Studies at the local General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) office in your city. Apply at least 30 days before your visa expires. The residence permit is typically issued for one academic year and renewed annually for the duration of your program.

As a student with a valid residence permit, you are permitted to work up to 4 hours per day without a separate work permit.

The Honest Tradeoffs: What Romania Is and Is Not Good For

Most study abroad content about Romania is written either by consultants who earn commission on Romanian placements or by university marketing teams. Here is a more direct assessment.

What Romania is genuinely good for

• MBBS at EU-standard hospitals with NMC recognition, in English, at a fraction of the cost of Western Europe
• EU-recognised degree at one of the lowest tuition costs in the EU
• Schengen mobility from 2025, which meaningfully increases post-study career options across Europe
• Lower cost of living than any other EU country with comparable academic standards
• Straightforward admission process with no entrance exams for most programs
• A safe country with a reasonably welcoming student environment in major university cities

What Romania is not good for

• Global brand recognition outside Europe: A degree from Babes-Bolyai University will open doors in Europe but carries limited name recognition in the US, Canada, or Australia. If you are planning a career in North America or Australia, a Romanian degree is a weaker starting point than one from a German or UK university.
• Romanian language: English is widely spoken in universities and cities, but Romanian is the language of daily life, patient interactions in medical programs, and most workplaces outside of IT. Students who plan to stay and work in Romania long-term need to learn Romanian. The language is not closely related to any Indian language and takes sustained effort to reach working proficiency.
• Post-study work pathways to Romania PR: Permanent residency in Romania requires five continuous years of legal residence and employment. The path exists, but it is not fast or guaranteed, and working in Romania as a non-EU national requires navigating immigration rules that are less streamlined than countries like Germany or Canada that have dedicated skilled worker visa routes.
• Limited Indian community compared to UK, Canada, or Australia: In cities like Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca there is a growing Indian student community, but it is smaller than what you would find in Birmingham, Toronto, or Melbourne. Students who need a strong support network from day one may find the initial adjustment harder.
• MBBS graduates still need NEXT to practice in India: Completing MBBS in Romania does not exempt you from the National Exit Test if you want to practice in India. The NEXT exam is mandatory for all Indian students who studied medicine abroad.

How to Apply to a Romanian University: Step by Step

1. Shortlist programs and verify accreditation. For MBBS, verify NMC recognition. For other programs, verify Bologna Process compliance and check the CNRED (Romanian National Centre for Recognition and Equivalence of Diplomas) list.
2. Prepare and apostille your academic documents. Class 10 and Class 12 certificates and marksheets must be apostilled by India’s Ministry of External Affairs. Allow four to six weeks for this process.
3. Get certified Romanian translations of all documents. Romanian universities and the Ministry of Education require documents in Romanian or with certified Romanian translation.
4. Apply through the university’s international admissions portal. Most Romanian public universities handle international admissions directly. Submit your application form, apostilled documents, translated documents, and application fee.
5. Receive your Letter of Acceptance. The university submits your file to the Romanian Ministry of Education, which issues the official Letter of Acceptance. This is the document you need for the visa application. It takes four to eight weeks.
6. Pay your first-year tuition fee to confirm your place. Keep the payment receipt as it is required for the visa application.
7. Apply for your D/SD student visa at the Romanian Embassy in India.
8. Arrive in Romania and apply for your Temporary Residence Permit within 30 days of your visa expiry date.

Start your apostille process in India as early as possible. It is the step that most commonly delays Romanian university applications from Indian students, and it cannot be rushed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts: Is Romania the Right Choice for You?

Romania is the right choice for a specific type of Indian student, and the wrong choice for others. Being honest about that distinction is more useful than a blanket recommendation.

If you are an MBBS aspirant who is NEET-qualified, wants a European medical education with NMC recognition, and cannot access Germany or the UK due to cost or language requirements, Romania is one of the most direct paths available in 2026. The combination of English-medium programs, NMC-approved universities, affordable fees, and Schengen access since 2025 makes it genuinely compelling.

If you are pursuing engineering, CS, or business and want an EU-recognised degree at significantly lower cost than Germany, the Netherlands, or Ireland, Romanian public universities are a serious option. The degree carries EU recognition and the cost difference over a three to four year program can run into tens of lakhs of rupees.

If your goal is a globally recognised degree brand for a career in the US, Canada, or Australia, Romania is probably not the right answer. Look at Germany, the UK, or Canada instead.

If you want help deciding whether Romania fits your specific profile, or if you need guidance on the application and visa process, reach out to us at Bluehawks Edu. We work on a student-first, no-commission basis, so our advice is about what is right for your situation rather than what earns the highest referral fee.

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