Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,400 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €56,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €44,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,300 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €78,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €950 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €57,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €96,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €72,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 16% (or 1-3% for micro-companies depending on revenue/employees)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 8%
- Tax System
- Residence-based (worldwide income for residents)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 10% flat rate on personal income
- VAT
- 19% standard; 9% for food/medical; 5% for select housing
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, following EU Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive (ATAD)
- Property Tax
- Yes, calculated based on building value/use (approx. 0.1% per year for residential)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Transfer tax approx. 1-3% based on value; plus Notary fees
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- 10% flat income tax; micro-company structure provides very low effective rates
Essentials
- City
- Galați, Galați County, Romania
- Population
- Approximately 249,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 450 Mbps (Fiber); 5G widely available via Orange
- Currency & Banking
- Romanian Leu (RON). 1 EUR ≈ 4.97 RON, 1 USD ≈ 4.65 RON
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, but most locals prefer filtered or bottled water for taste
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Orange, Vodafone, Digi. Pre-paid 50GB plans start at 30 RON ($6)
- Banking for Expats
- Banca Transilvania (BT), BCR, Revolut, Wise
- Accommodation
- Apartments via Storia.ro, Airbnb, and local Facebook groups
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards/contactless accepted everywhere except small farmers' markets
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com (Average $35-$50/night)
- Budget Accommodation
- Hotel Faleza by Vega (approx. 220 RON/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Faleza Dunării (Riverfront) or the Historic Center (Strada Domnească)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Mazepa 1 or Mazepa 2 for central access and high-speed fiber availability
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Hub Galați (Strada Domnească 1); Daily passes approx. 60 RON
- Best Cafe for Work
- Co-ffee (Strada Domnească 50) - excellent Wi-Fi and quiet atmosphere
- Networking Events
- IT events organized by Danubius University or Open Hub Galați
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations Galați (Group online) or weekend gatherings at Daily Pub
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt (primary) and Uber
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bolt Scooters available along the Faleza riverfront
- Best Beach Nearby
- Plaja Dunărea (Water park and sand beach on the Danube)
- Top Regional Airline
- TAROM via Bucharest Otopeni
- Top International Airline
- Wizz Air (nearest hub is Iași - 3 hours or Bucharest - 3.5 hours)
- Highway Access
- DN25 connects to Tecuci; DN2B connects to Brăila/Bucharest
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Galați Railway Station (Gara CFR Galați)
- Public Transport Passes
- Transurb Galați; 1-day pass is 10 RON; Monthly 90 RON
- Regional Travel
- CFR Călători (Train) or Transferoviar Călători; Navrom for river crossings
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Sfântul Apostol Andrei County Emergency Clinical Hospital
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Lotus Yoga Studio (Street George Coșbuc)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Stay Fit Gym (Shopping City Galați) or Body Shape
- Laundry Services
- Nufărul (Shopping City Galați)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Glovo and Tazz
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Saramură de Crap (Danube Carp Brine) at Restaurant Blue Aqua
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Piața Centrală for fresh produce; Healthy bistro options at Union Jack
- Best Dessert Spots
- Cofetăria Teatris (Strada Domnească)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Piața Centrală (Central Market) for fresh food; Lidl
- E-commerce/Online Store
- eMAG.ro (same-day delivery to Easybox lockers)
- Grocery Delivery
- Bringo or Freshful
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Strada Domnească and the Upper Promenade of the Danube (Faleza de Sus)
- Local Brewery
- Martens Galați (commercial); Craft beer at Daily Pub
- Wine Bars
- Wine & Coffee Experience (Strada Brăilei)
- Street Food Stalls
- Patiseria Dana (for local 'merdenele' and 'covrigi')
- Popular International Cuisine
- Blue Aqua (Seafood), Trattoria l'Ancora (Italian)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Faleza Dunării (the longest riverfront promenade on the Danube)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Visual Arts Museum (the first of its kind in Romania)
- Historical Sites
- The Palace of Navigation (Palatul Navigației)
- Religious Sites
- Fortified Church of Precista (17th Century)
- Annual Events
- Danube Day (June); Galați City Days (November)
- Cultural Districts
- Historical Center (Strada Domnească)
- Theater Venues
- Fani Tardini Dramatic Theatre; Nae Leonard Musical Theatre
- Local Markets
- Piața Centrală (Traian district)
- Music Scene
- Summer concerts at the Botanical Garden amphitheater
- Street Art
- Metal sculptures along the Danube Promenade created during 1970s camps
- Cooking Classes
- Local workshops occasionally held at Danubius University
- Art Galleries
- Nicolae Mantu Art Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- Galați City Hall (Palatul Administrativ)
- Local Heritage
- Shipbuilding tradition and the Iron and Steel Plant (Liberty Galați)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Gârboavele Forest (15km outside the city) with a zoo and recreational area
- National Parks Nearby
- Măcin Mountains National Park (access via ferry to Brăila and then driving)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The 4km Danube Promenade (Faleza)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Turnul de Televiziune (TV Tower) for a panoramic view of the city and river
- Birdwatching Locations
- Danube Delta (approximately 80km away via Tulcea)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Zătun Recreational Lake (designated BBQ and picnic spots)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Fan Courier, Sameday (Easybox), DPD
- Tech Repair Services
- PC Clinic Galați (Strada Brăilei)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Viva Club Galați
- Language Classes
- CultuRO (Private Romanian lessons)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- V.A. Urechia County Library
- Community Centers
- Galați Youth Center
- Gaming Lounges
- G-Force Galați
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- MaxBet (Multiple locations)