Essentials
- City
- Craiova, Dolj County, Romania
- Population
- 270,000
- Internet Speed
- 950 Mbps (Fiber Optic widely available via Digi)
- Currency & Banking
- Romanian Leu (RON). 1 EUR ≈ 4.97 RON, 1 USD ≈ 4.58 RON
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, though many locals prefer filtered or bottled water (e.g., Bucovina)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Orange, Vodafone, Digi.Mobil (Approx. €5-€10 for 50GB+)
- Banking for Expats
- Banca Transilvania, BRD, Raiffeisen Bank, Revolut (highly popular)
- Accommodation
- Modern apartments via Airbnb, local sites like Storia.ro or Imobiliare.ro
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and contactless payment accepted in most shops, cafes, and taxis
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com (Central areas like Calea București or Nicolae Titulescu)
- Budget Accommodation
- Hotel Bavaria (approx. €45/night) or Pensiunea Nicolas (€35/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Old Town (Centrul Vechi) and near Nicolae Romanescu Park
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Centrum/Calea București for proximity to cafes, or Brazda lui Novac for quiet residential vibes
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Inkubator (Strada Ștefan cel Mare) - starting at approx. €150/month
- Best Cafe for Work
- English Park Cafe (Strada A.I. Cuza) or Starbucks (Electroputere Parc Mall)
- Networking Events
- Startup Craiova meetups and IT community events at the University of Craiova
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats in Craiova Facebook Group, InterNations Craiova community
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt (approx. €3-€5 for city rides), Uber
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Lime and Bolt electric scooters (approx. 0.70 RON per minute)
- Best Beach Nearby
- None nearby; Danube river banks at Calafat (90 km) or Constanța (Black Sea, 6 hours away)
- Top Regional Airline
- TAROM, Animawings
- Top International Airline
- Wizz Air (direct flights to London, Milan, Rome, Madrid from Craiova Airport)
- Highway Access
- Expressway DX12 connecting to Pitești and the A1 highway to Bucharest
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Gara Craiova (Piața Gării) - Direct trains to Bucharest and Timișoara
- Public Transport Passes
- RAT Craiova: 2.5 RON per trip; 100 RON (~€20) for a monthly pass
- Regional Travel
- CFR Călători (Trains), Softrans (private trains with free Wi-Fi)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Spitalul Clinic Județean de Urgență Craiova; Private: Regina Maria or Sanador
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Lotus Yoga Craiova (Strada Romul), Wellness Club Craiova
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Stay Fit Gym (Electroputere Parc), 7card accepted widely (approx. €40/month)
- Laundry Services
- Self-service laundry at Jeff’s Clean (Bulevardul Decebal)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Glovo, Tazz (by eMAG), Bolt Food
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Sarmale (cabbage rolls) and Mici (grilled meat rolls) at Epoca Steak House
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- The Manor Restaurant (Old Town) - offers creative plant-based options
- Best Dessert Spots
- Iva Gâteau (Strada Împăratul Traian) for artisanal cakes
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Piața Centrală (Central Market) for fresh local produce
- E-commerce/Online Store
- eMAG.ro (Romania's Amazon), Fashion Days
- Grocery Delivery
- Freshful, Bringo (shopping from Carrefour/Auchan)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Centrul Vechi (Old Town) - specifically Strada Lipscani
- Local Brewery
- Craiovița (Mainstream); Craft options at SteamPunk Pub
- Wine Bars
- Curtea Berarilor (though named a brewery, great wine selection) or 1500 Wine & More
- Street Food Stalls
- Piața Veche area for traditional Covrigi (pretzels) and Fornetti
- Popular International Cuisine
- Trattoria Il Calcio (Italian), Akropolis (Greek)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Nicolae Romanescu Park (the 3rd largest natural park in Europe)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Craiova Art Museum (housed in Jean Mihail Palace, featuring Brâncuși sculptures)
- Historical Sites
- Băniei House (oldest non-religious building in the city, 1699)
- Religious Sites
- Madona Dudu Church, Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Demetrius
- Annual Events
- Craiova Christmas Market (ranked top in Europe), Shakespeare International Festival
- Cultural Districts
- Old Town (Centrul Vechi) pedestrian zone
- Theater Venues
- Marin Sorescu National Theatre Craiova
- Local Markets
- Piața Centrală (Farmers Market) for seasonal honey and cheeses
- Music Scene
- Filarmonica Oltenia for classical; Cult Music Club for alternative gigs
- Street Art
- Graffiti murals near the Faculty of Law and Calea București underpasses
- Cooking Classes
- Workshops at various local restaurants (seasonal/by request)
- Art Galleries
- Galeria Vollard (Calea Unirii)
- Historic Buildings
- City Hall (Primăria Craiova) on Strada A.I. Cuza
- Local Heritage
- Oltenian rug weaving (UNESCO heritage) and traditional ceramics
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Jianu Lake within Nicolae Romanescu Park
- National Parks Nearby
- Buila-Vânturărița National Park (approx. 2 hours north)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Suspended Bridge paths and lake loops in Romanescu Park
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The Enchanted Castle (Castelul Fermecat) terrace in the park
- Birdwatching Locations
- The reed beds of the Jiu River outskirts
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated camping sites in the nearby Preajba area lakes
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Fan Courier, Sameday (Easybox lockers are everywhere), DPD
- Tech Repair Services
- ESD Romania (official service for Samsung/Apple) in Electroputere
- Table Tennis Spots
- Ping Pong Club at Sala Polivalentă Craiova
- Language Classes
- Lectorate at the University of Craiova (Romanian for foreigners)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Alexandru și Aristia Aman County Library
- Community Centers
- Craiova Cultural House (Casa de Cultură a Studenților)
- Gaming Lounges
- The Hive Gaming Center
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Princess Casino, Metropolis Sports Bar
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,850 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €74,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,400 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €56,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,750 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €105,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,300 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €78,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,650 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €132,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €96,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Standard 16% (Micro-enterprises pay 1% or 3% on turnover)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 8%
- Tax System
- Resident worldwide income; 10% Flat Income Tax for most earners
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 10% (Flat tax environment)
- VAT
- 19% (reduced rates of 9% and 5% for food/books)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, EU-based ATAD rules apply
- Property Tax
- Yes, local tax based on size/location (avg. €100-€300/year for central apartments)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 1-3% notary and land registration fees
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Digital Nomad Visa available; 0% tax if tax resident elsewhere, or 10% if local