Romania

Compliance/Financial Considerations

If you intend to do any of the following in Romania, please contact Risk Services at risk@berkeley.edu or 642-5141:

  • Hire a local to work for you as an employee
  • Purchase or lease office or research space
  • Purchase or lease an automobile
  • Establish a long-term (over 90 days) or ongoing project
  • Conduct a clinical trial 

U.S. GOVERNMENT COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS 

Foreign activities may trigger many U.S. laws, including:

  • Import Controls
  • Export Controls
  • Tax Reporting
  • Foreign Bank Account Reporting
  • Country Embargoes and Targeted Sanctions
  • Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
  • Anti-Boycott Laws 

Import Controls. UC employees must adhere to U.S. import requirements, and may need to enlist the services of a customs broker, especially for shipments arriving by sea and subject to the Importer Security Filing 71730, also known as ISF 10+2. 

Export Controls. Export controls may apply to advanced software and technology, research data, and other sensitive assets. UC’s Export Compliance FAQ contains useful information and can be found here.  Go here for the University of California plan for compliance with federal export controls. If you plan on taking or sending potentially export-controlled materials to Romania, consult the campus Research Administration Compliance Office at 642-0120. 

Tax Reporting. The University and its employees may be taxed in foreign countries. The tax implications for operating in Romania may be found at the Internal Revenue Service’s United States-Romania Income Tax Convention. For further clarification, contact the Controller’s Office at:

Foreign Bank Account Reporting. The U.S. Treasury Department requires U.S. citizens with a financial interest in or signatory authority over a financial account in a foreign country, where accounts exceed $10,000 at any point during a calendar year, to report such accounts on a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FinCen Report 114). Those needing to complete the form should contact the Controller’s Office at cashiers@berkeley.edu or 643-9803 for assistance. An IRS 1040 Schedule B form (Part III–Foreign Accounts and Trusts) must be filed by the signatory for any foreign bank account, regardless of the account balance. 

Country Embargoes and Targeted Sanctions. In general, collaborations between University personnel and scholars at foreign institutions or organizations do not require export licenses unless they involve export-controlled or -restricted research or involve scholars in sanctioned countries. Before engaging in an international collaboration, the University needs to determine whether export licenses are required and to verify that the foreign collaborator is not blocked or sanctioned. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is responsible for enforcing all U.S. embargoes and sanctions. Depending on each country’s embargo or sanction program, activities may be prohibited without specific authorization or license. UC’s International Collaborations webpage contains additional information on this topic.   

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is intended to stop bribery. It prohibits offering to pay, paying, promising to pay, or authorizing the payment of money or anything of value to a foreign official. The term “foreign official” generally includes any employee or contractor of a foreign government, and may include individuals employed by foreign universities. It is also unlawful to make a payment to a third party knowing that all or part of the payment will go to a foreign official. For more information, review the federal government’s Resource Guide to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. If you need further clarification, contact the UC Berkeley Office of Legal Affairs at 642-7122. Transparency International’s 2018 survey of perceived public sector corruption rated Romania at 47 out of 100 (61st out of 180 countries reviewed, i.e.  somewhat corrupt).

Anti-Boycott Laws.  The U.S. Department of Commerce is responsible for oversight of laws prohibiting individuals and entities from participating in boycotts not approved or sanctioned by the U.S. government. The Export Administration Act requires that requests to participate in such boycotts or to conduct activities in any of the boycotting countries be formally reported to the Department of Commerce and/or IRS.

For other compliance-related issues, refer to UC’s International Compliance webpage.   

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR DOING BUSINESS INTERNATIONALLY

Foreign Bank Accounts. Employees wishing to open a foreign bank account should contact the Controller’s Office at cashiers@berkeley.edu or 643-9803. Requests to open accounts must be made through the Office of the President’s Banking and Treasury Services Group by the Chancellor or the Chancellor’s designee. 

Real Estate Agreements. Only employees with delegated authority to sign contracts on behalf of The Regents may enter into agreements, leases, or other contracts.  Foreign affiliates or operations must submit to the Real Estate Services Office property management agreements, personal property leases, or contracts with a term longer than one year or in an amount greater than $25,000 per year. The campus then seeks approval from the University president or designee. For more information, consult the Guidelines for the Establishment and Operation of Foreign Affiliate Organizations and Foreign Operations.

Articles

The US State Department's page on ROMANIA may be found HERE.

Personal Safety

AUTHORITIES IN ROMANIA WILL IMPOSE A 30 DAY NATIONWIDE LOCKDOWN FROM NOVEMBER 9 IN RESPONSE TO INCREASING CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) ACTIVITY IN THE COUNTRY. A 2300-0500 CURFEW WILL BE IN EFFECT; TRAVEL DURING THE CURFEW WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED TO SEEK EMERGENCY  MEDICAL ATTENTION, CARE FOR DEPENDENTS, OR TRAVEL FOR ESSENTIAL WORK. FACEMASKS ARE MANDATORY IN ENCLOSED PUBLIC SPACES AND CROWDED OUTDOOR SPACE NATIONWIDE. AUTHORITIES REGULARLY UPDATE THE COUNTRY'S INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS.  TRAVELERS FROM SEVERAL COUNTRIES ARE REQUIRED TO SELF ISOLATE FOR 14 DAYS ON ARRIVAL INCLUDE ANDORRA, BELGIUM, CZECH REPUBLIC, FRANCE GIBRALTAR, ICELAND, MALTA, MOLDOVA, MONTENEGRO, NETHERLANDS, SLOVAKIA, SPAIN, AND THE UK.  TRAVELERS ARRIVING FROM OTHER EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA (EEA) COUNTRIES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, RWANDA, SOUTH KOREA, SWITZERLAND, THAILAND, TUNISIA, AND URUGUAY MAY ENTER WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS. MOST ARRIVALS FROM OTHER DESTINATIONS REMAIN PROHIBITED FROM ENTRY WITH SOME EXCEPTIONS, SUCH AS ROMANIAN CITIZENS OR RESIDENTS AND THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILIES, INDIVIDUALS TRAVELING FOR ESSENTIAL WORK OR STUDY, INDIVIDUALS IN TRANSIT AND INDIVIDUALS TRAVELING FOR URGENT REASONS. ALL PERMITTED INDIVIDUALS ARRIVING FROM NONEXEMPTED COUNTRIES ARE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO 14 DAYS OF SELF ISOLATION.  TRAVELERS MAY END THE SELF ISOLATION PERIOD AFTER THE 10TH DAY IF THEY TEST NEGATIVE ON A COVID-19 TEST TAKEN ON THE 8TH DAY OF QUARANTINE. PERSONS PLANNING ON STAYING LESS THAN THREE DAYS IN ROMANIA WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO SELF ISOLATE IF, UPON ENTRY, THEY CAN PROVIDE PROOF OF HAVING TESTED NEGATIVE FOR COVID-19 NO MORE THAN 48 HOURS BEFORE ARIVAL. AUTHORITIES COULD REIMPOSE, EXTEND, FURTHER EASE, OR OTHERWISE AMEND ANY RESTRICTIONS WITH LITTLE TO NO NOTICE DEPENDING ON DISEASE ACTIVITY OVER THE COMING WEEKS.

Note: this page contains basic risk information. For more details, please contact the Risk Services Office at risk@berkeley.edu.

If you are traveling to Romania on University-related business, please sign up for the University’s travel insurance program by going here. For more information on the travel insurance program, please go here.

Because everyone’s health is unique, we suggest seeking the advice of a medical professional before traveling internationally. Members of the campus community interested in protecting their health while abroad may schedule an appointment with the University Health Services International Travel Clinic. 

The geopolitical threat is moderate in Romania. Romania is semi-presidential republic in which presidential elections are held every five years and parliamentary every four years. The current administration is adequately stable; allegations of corruption have created a challenge and anti-government protests were able to force a sitting government to resign. Perceptions of corruption remains a feature Romanian politics and demonstrations occur sporadically with the capacity to turn violent, whilst they may cause problems for specific governments they are unlikely to destabilize the Romanian political system. Romania maintains good relationships with its neighbors and is unlikely to experience an international destabilizing international event.

Criminal activity is most prevalent in tourist locations around Bucharest and other large towns, as well as on public transportation. 

Nonviolent crime poses a moderate threat to foreign nationals and is concentrated in heavily populated tourist areas like shopping and entertainment areas. Thieves typically target luggage, wallets, purses, and smartphones. These opportunistic crimes can occur anywhere, but especially at major tourist attractions and on public transportation, particularly in densely populated areas. Criminals typically target foreign nationals as the opportunity presents or if they display obvious signs of wealth.  

Crimes against foreign nationals are more likely to escalate late at night. Criminals often act in groups. 

Scams pose a moderate threat to foreign nationals in Romania. Beggars typically perpetrate this crime, which may include a variety of tactics, including groups of children who perpetrate theft. Thieves often use surprise to distract their victims; thieves may present themselves as plainclothes police. 

Overall, the threat of violent crime in Romania is low; foreign nationals are rarely targeted by criminals. Violent crime, including assault, poses the greatest threat from unstable or drunk individuals late at night near nightclubs.  

Gender-based violence and/or discrimination poses a low threat to foreign nationals in Romania.  Anti-LGBTQ violence is systemic in Romania. The LGBTQ community in Romania does not enjoy discrimination protections, and police have been known to let attacks on LGBTQ demonstrations occur.  

Organized crime does not usually affect foreign nationals in Romania. Known organized crime groups specialize in drug smuggling, human trafficking, financial crime, and counterfeiting.  

Highway robbery and banditry pose a low threat in Romania. For most foreign nationals, the threat of kidnapping in Romania is generally minimal; kidnappers are more likely to target locals. The most common type of abduction in Romania is high net-worth individual kidnap-for-ransom. Victims are usually released unharmed and relatively quickly.

Legal/Political

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.  Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. 

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. 

Special Circumstances:

  • Romania is situated in a seismically active region and has a history of devastating earthquakes, with the greatest risk occurring in Bucharest.
  • Mountainous areas of the country can be subject to torrential rains and flash floods, especially in the spring and summer months.
  • Streets and sidewalks are often icy and hazardous during winter.
  • Avoid contact with stray dogs.
  • Travelers’ checks are of limited use, but ATMs (“bancomats” in Romanian) are widely available. 

LGBT Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Romania. However, the annual gay pride parades in Bucharest have been the scene of violent protests in past years.