FBOs at Bacau George Enescu LRBC BCM

Airport security

Bucharest presents a moderate security environment characterised by active petty crime including pickpocketing, distraction theft, and fraud, with organised groups operating in public spaces and drink-spiking reported in entertainment districts.

Civil unrest risk is present, as public demonstrations occur regularly in the capital and can escalate without warning, potentially disrupting transport and public services.

While Romania has no recent history of terrorism, the broader European threat environment and the proximity of active armed conflict in neighbouring Ukraine mean an indiscriminate attack cannot be excluded.

Henri Coandă International Airport is Romania's principal international hub and operates under EU and EASA regulatory frameworks governing aviation security.

Access beyond the security filter is restricted to boarding card holders, and the airport has recently undergone a significant upgrade of its hold baggage screening and outbound sortation infrastructure to increase throughput capacity and screening capability.

The FCDO specifically notes that Romanian airports employ advanced detection technology for both passengers and transiting baggage, consistent with the standards expected of a major EU member state hub.

Customs, immigration and regulatory

Hours: H24 Customs and immigration operate H24 per Romanian AIP (AD 2.3). Confirm via ROMATSA AIP or handling agent prior to operations.

Ground corridor

Ground transport risk in Bucharest is predominantly opportunistic in nature, centred on fare fraud and overcharging by unofficial or unmetered taxi operators, particularly those soliciting fares directly inside the arrivals terminal — pre-arranged vehicles or metered kiosk-ordered transport are strongly advised over street or terminal approaches.

The airport access road and the primary DN1 corridor into the city centre are well-maintained and present no conflict-zone or movement-restriction concerns, though urban traffic congestion and assertive local driving behaviour elevate road safety risk on the city approach.

Vetted transport arranged through a ground support team or hotel is the lowest-risk option for executive and VIP movements; metered taxis ordered via in-terminal self-service kiosks are an acceptable alternative when pre-arranged transport is unavailable.

No armed conflict zone designations, OFAC sanctions, or active movement restrictions apply to Romania.

City threat summary

Bucharest presents a moderate security environment characterised by active petty crime including pickpocketing, distraction theft, and fraud, with organised groups operating in public spaces and drink-spiking reported in entertainment districts.

Civil unrest risk is present, as public demonstrations occur regularly in the capital and can escalate without warning, potentially disrupting transport and public services.

While Romania has no recent history of terrorism, the broader European threat environment and the proximity of active armed conflict in neighbouring Ukraine mean an indiscriminate attack cannot be excluded.

Country overview

Romania is rated Level 1 — Exercise Normal Caution by the U.S. State Department, and Transport Canada advises travelers to take normal security precautions, reflecting a broadly stable and low-threat environment for visitors.

The primary security concerns are opportunistic property crime — particularly pickpocketing, scams, and card fraud — concentrated in urban centres and transit hubs rather than any organized or politically motivated violence.

Terrorism is not a significant concern domestically, though the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) has noted that transnational threats including organized crime and weapons proliferation present ambient risks consistent with Romania's eastern neighborhood security environment.

Politically, Romania is navigating a period of elevated domestic instability following the May 2026 no-confidence vote that removed the Bolojan government, but this volatility has not translated into meaningful security risks for travelers or business operators on the ground.