Most international students arriving in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, or Iași face the same choice: should I live in a university dormitory (cămin studentesc) or rent privately?
There is no single right answer. The best option depends on your university, your budget, your personality, and how much support you want around you. But there is definitely a wrong answer – and that is making the decision blindly, without understanding what each option really involves.
At Conachi Academy, we guide international students through every step of applying to accredited Romanian universities – and accommodation is one of the most common questions we hear. This blog walks you through both options in detail, so you can choose with confidence.
💡 Note: Accommodation rules and prices vary by city and university. The figures in this blog are realistic averages for the 2026 academic year. For exact prices at your university of choice, contact our team directly.
Why Accommodation Choice Matters
Your accommodation affects more than your monthly budget. It shapes:
Your daily routine. A 10-minute walk to campus is very different from a 45-minute commute through Bucharest traffic.
Your study environment. A quiet single room, a noisy dorm corridor, or a flat with five other students all create different study conditions.
Your social life. Dormitories build instant community. Private rentals require more effort to meet people.
Your finances. Rent is usually the single largest monthly expense for an international student in Romania. The difference between a €75 dorm bed and a €350 studio apartment adds up to €3,300 per year.
Your safety. Especially in your first few months, living in a verified university environment can ease the transition.
Knowing this, let us look at both options in detail.
Who Should Read This Guide?
This blog is for you if:
You have been accepted to a Romanian university and need to choose accommodation. You are still applying and want to plan your budget realistically.
You are already studying in Romania but unhappy with your current housing. You are a parent helping your child plan their move to Romania.
You are deciding between Romania and another country, and accommodation cost is one of your factors.
Option 1: University Dormitories (Cămin Studentesc)
What Is a Dormitory?
A cămin studentesc is on-campus accommodation provided by the university itself. Almost every public Romanian university – including the University of Bucharest, Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, and most major institutions – has its own network of dormitories.
For an example of what this looks like, the University of Bucharest has multiple dormitories (A, B, C, D, A1) just in the Grozăvești campus area, with several hundred beds each. Most large universities have similar structures.
What to Expect Inside
A typical Romanian university dormitory includes:
- Shared rooms (usually 2-4 students per room, occasionally single rooms for graduates)
- Shared bathrooms (one per floor or per corridor, sometimes per room)
- Shared kitchen on each floor
- Common study and social areas
- Basic furniture: bed, desk, chair, wardrobe per student
- Wi-Fi included (speed varies)
- 24-hour access with student ID card
- Reception desk and security
Some newer dormitories have private bathrooms per room and better amenities. Older dormitories may have shared facilities and dated furniture – but the price reflects this.
How Much Does It Cost?
Dormitory rent in Romania is one of the lowest in the EU. Realistic ranges for 2026:
- Older, more shared dorms: €20-75 per month
- Standard university dormitories: €75-150 per month
- Modern or premium university dorms: €150-250 per month
These prices usually include utilities and Wi-Fi. Compared to private rentals, dormitories can save you €1,500-€3,000 per year.
How to Apply for a Dormitory
This is where many students get it wrong. Dormitory spots are highly competitive in Romania – especially in Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca. Romanian students from outside the host city usually get priority. International students often have to wait or look elsewhere.
To increase your chances:
- Apply for a dormitory spot as soon as you receive your university admission letter – do not wait until you arrive
- Submit applications through your university’s international student office
- If your university has dorms specifically allocated to international students, apply for those first
- Have backup options ready in case you do not get a spot
- Some scholarship recipients receive guaranteed dormitory placement – check your scholarship terms
For more on the full admission process, see our how to apply page.
Pros of Dormitories
Lowest cost. Nothing else in Romania is cheaper than a cămin.
Instant community. You meet other students from day one – both Romanian and international.
Close to campus. Most dorms are within walking distance of lecture buildings, libraries, and university cafeterias.
Bills are simple. One monthly payment covers everything. No surprise utility bills.
Safe and supervised. Reception, security, and university oversight.
Easier visa renewal. Your residence permit application requires proof of accommodation – the university provides this directly.
Cultural immersion. Living with Romanian students is the fastest way to pick up the language.
Cons of Dormitories
Hard to get a spot. Especially in popular universities and major cities.
Shared rooms. Privacy is limited. Roommates may not match your study habits.
Older facilities. Some dorms have not been renovated for decades.
Strict rules. Curfews, guest restrictions, no overnight guests at some dorms.
Noise. Hundreds of students living together means constant background noise.
Limited cooking facilities. A single shared kitchen per floor can be crowded.
Less independence. You live within the university’s structure, not on your own terms.
Option 2: Private Rentals
What Counts as a Private Rental?
A private rental is any accommodation outside the university dormitory system. This includes:
- Studio apartments – one-room flats with kitchenette and bathroom, lived in alone
- One-bedroom apartments – separate bedroom and living area, for solo living or couples
- Shared apartments – 2-3 bedroom flats shared between 2-6 students, each renting a room
- Private student dormitories – newer private buildings designed specifically for students, with better amenities
- Co-living spaces – modern, hotel-style accommodation with shared common areas
- Homestays – living with a Romanian family
Most international students who do not get a university dorm spot end up in shared apartments.
How Much Does It Cost?
Private rental costs vary significantly by city and type:
Bucharest:
- Shared room in 2-3 bedroom apartment: €150-300 per month
- Private room in shared apartment: €250-400 per month
- Studio apartment: €350-500 per month
- One-bedroom apartment: €450-700 per month
Cluj-Napoca and Timișoara:
- Shared room: €100-200 per month
- Private room in shared apartment: €150-300 per month
- Studio: €300-450 per month
Iași, Brașov, Constanța, smaller cities:
- Shared room: €80-180 per month
- Private room in shared apartment: €120-250 per month
- Studio: €250-400 per month
⚠️ Important: Utilities are usually not included in private rental prices. Expect to add €40-100 per month for electricity, gas, water, internet, and building maintenance fees. In winter months, heating costs alone can add €30-60.
How to Find a Private Rental
Most international students find private rentals through:
- Facebook groups like “Apartamente de inchiriat Bucuresti”, “Cluj-Napoca Rentals”, or international student communities
- Romanian rental websites: Storia.ro, OLX.ro, Imobiliare.ro
- Real estate agents (agenți imobiliari) – they typically charge one month’s rent as commission
- Word of mouth through current students at your university
- WhatsApp groups of international students at your specific university
- Notice boards at university buildings and student cafeterias
💡 Tip: Avoid signing rental contracts before arriving in Romania. Photos online can be misleading, and some listings are scams. Use a temporary accommodation (Airbnb, hotel, friend’s place) for your first week and view properties in person.
Pros of Private Rentals
More privacy. Especially studios and one-bedrooms.
More choice. You pick the location, size, condition, and roommates.
More independence. No university rules, no curfews, no restrictions on guests.
Better facilities. Most private rentals have proper kitchens, modern bathrooms, and washing machines.
Quieter (sometimes). A small shared flat is usually quieter than a 500-bed dormitory.
Year-round availability. Unlike dorms, you do not have to vacate during summer breaks.
Flexibility. You can choose to live alone, with one friend, or with a group.
Cons of Private Rentals
Much higher cost. Often 3-5 times what a dormitory costs.
Utility bills on top. Unpredictable monthly expenses.
Deposit required. Usually 1-2 months’ rent upfront, plus first month’s rent. That is €600-€1,500 to move in.
Agent fees. If you go through an agent, expect to pay one month’s rent as commission.
Landlord problems. Some landlords are unreliable, slow with repairs, or unfair with deposits.
Distance from campus. Cheaper rentals are often far from the university. Add transport costs and commute time.
Less social integration. You have to actively work to meet other students.
Paperwork complexity. Your residence permit needs an official rental contract registered with the local authorities. Some informal landlords refuse to provide this.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | University Dormitory | Private Rental |
| Monthly cost | €20-250 | €100-700+ |
| Utilities | Usually included | Usually extra (€40-100) |
| Privacy | Low (shared room) | High (varies) |
| Distance from campus | Very close | Varies |
| Furnishing | Basic, provided | Varies (often furnished) |
| Social life | High built-in | Self-built |
| Cooking | Shared kitchen | Often private |
| Availability | Limited, competitive | Wide |
| Deposit | None or minimal | 1-2 months’ rent |
| Visa documentation | Easy | Requires registered contract |
| Flexibility | Low | High |
| Best for | Budget-focused, first-year students, social learners | Independent students, couples, those who can afford more |
Which Option Is Right for You?
Choose a Dormitory If:
You are arriving for your first year and want the smoothest possible start. Budget is your top priority. You want to meet people quickly and immerse yourself in student culture.
You do not need much privacy. You are studying in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, or Iași and can get a spot.
You want simple, predictable monthly costs. You want to focus all your energy on studies, not on managing utilities and landlords.
Choose a Private Rental If:
You did not get a dorm spot, or your university does not offer enough international student dorms. You have a higher monthly budget. You value privacy and independence.
You plan to cook your own meals regularly. You are bringing your spouse, partner, or family. You want a longer-term arrangement that does not require moving every semester.
You have already lived in Romania before and know the city well.
Hybrid Approach
Many students do this:
- First year: Dormitory (cheaper, social, builds local network)
- Second year onwards: Move into a shared apartment with friends from the dormitory
This hybrid path is a popular and proven strategy. It gives you the cost savings and community of a dorm at the start, then the privacy and independence of a rental once you know the city and other students.
What to Watch Out For in Both Options
For Dormitories
- Always confirm your placement in writing before arriving
- Visit your dormitory floor and room before moving your belongings in
- Keep all original receipts of rent payments
- Understand the rules: curfews, guest policies, kitchen cleaning rosters
- Report any damage at move-in to avoid being blamed later
- Use your student ID card carefully – losing it can lock you out
For Private Rentals
- Never pay rent in cash without a receipt. Always demand a written acknowledgement.
- Sign a proper rental contract (contract de închiriere) – this is required by law and needed for your residence permit
- Verify the landlord owns the property – ask for proof
- Take photos of every room when you move in – protect yourself from false damage claims later
- Check the heating system before signing in summer – many cheap apartments have terrible heating in winter
- Ask if utilities are included – get the average monthly utility cost in writing
- Understand the deposit refund conditions – many landlords keep deposits unfairly
- Avoid landlords who refuse to register the contract with local tax authorities (ANAF)
Red Flags: Common Accommodation Scams
Unfortunately, international students are sometimes targeted by accommodation scams. Watch for:
The landlord asks for the full deposit and first month’s rent before you arrive in Romania – never pay upfront for a property you have not seen.
Photos look too professional or stolen from other websites. The price is significantly lower than market rate – too good to be true usually is. The “landlord” cannot meet you in person and only communicates by email. The contract is only in English and unsigned by anyone.
The rental agreement is missing your name, address, or landlord identification details. You are pressured to “decide today or lose the apartment.” The keys you receive do not work, or you are told to “wait outside” while someone unspecified brings them.
If you see any of these signs, stop the transaction. Contact your university’s international office, or reach out to Conachi Academy for guidance.
Living Costs Beyond Rent
Accommodation is just part of your monthly budget. Realistic total monthly costs for an international student in Romania:
- Rent: €75-450 (depending on choice)
- Utilities: €0-100 (often included in dorms, extra in private)
- Food: €100-300 (depending on whether you cook or eat out)
- Transport: €15-30 with student discounts
- Internet and phone: €15-30
- Books and supplies: €10-30
- Personal expenses (clothes, leisure): €50-100
Total realistic monthly cost: €300-€800 depending on city and lifestyle.
Romania is one of the most affordable EU countries for international students. For full breakdowns of academic costs as well as living costs, see our tuition and fees page.
What to Do Before You Arrive in Romania
To make your accommodation transition smooth:
Apply for a dormitory spot as soon as you receive admission. Book temporary accommodation (Airbnb, hotel, hostel) for your first 5-7 nights. Join Facebook and WhatsApp groups of international students at your university.
Save addresses of major rental websites: Storia.ro, OLX.ro, Imobiliare.ro. Set a realistic monthly budget and stick to it. Bring enough money to cover a 1-2 month deposit plus first month’s rent if you plan on private rental.
Carry all your admission documents – landlords and universities will ask for proof of student status. Confirm your how to apply steps are complete so your visa is in order.
What Students Say
International students who came to Romania through Conachi Academy share these reflections – more on our student testimonials page:
“I was lucky to get a dormitory spot in my first year. €90 a month. I met my best friends there – we now share an apartment together.”
“I tried to book an apartment in Bucharest before arriving and almost got scammed. Conachi Academy told me to wait until I landed. I am glad I did.”
“Private rental was more expensive but worth it for me. I cook a lot and needed privacy for late-night studying. Find what works for you.”
“My dormitory was old but clean and right next to the faculty. I saved money for travelling across Europe instead.”
Have More Questions?
Accommodation is one of the most personal decisions you will make as a student in Romania. There is no single best option – only the option that fits your situation. If you are still deciding, our team can help.
Contact Conachi Academy for a free consultation about studying in Romania. Visit our about us page to learn who we are, our why Romania page for the broader case for choosing Romania, and our student life section for what daily life as a student looks like. For application timelines, see dates and deadlines.
Want to know more about what life on campus is like beyond accommodation? Read the campus experience and explore our list of universities we work with.
If you are still exploring which university to attend, our blog on the best universities in Romania for international students is a good starting point.
Final Thoughts
Where you live shapes how you study, how you make friends, how you save, and how you grow during your years in Romania. There is no “best” accommodation – only the one that matches your priorities, budget, and personality.
Dormitories give you affordability, community, and structure. Private rentals give you independence, privacy, and flexibility. Hybrid paths give you both – just at different times.
Apply early, plan realistically, and ask the right questions before you sign anything. Romania is a welcoming country for international students – and once you find the right place to live, it starts feeling like home faster than you expect.
Conachi Academy is here to help every step of the way. From choosing your university to settling into your accommodation, reach out to us and we will guide you through it. Your European education starts with a clear plan – and a place to call your own.