Financial & Mobility Infrastructure
To receive university scholarships in Romania, it is mandatory to have a local bank account opened at a traditional bank, as Romanian universities transfer money through the local interbank network (TransFond) and refuse transfers to foreign IBANs (such as those implicitly offered by non-banks like Revolut).
Recommended Traditional Banks for Students
Banks in Romania offer packages dedicated to young people (usually between 18 and 26 years old) with zero fees for administration, deposits and ATM withdrawals.
- Banca Transilvania (BT) (Youth Package): It is the most used bank by universities. The BT Pay application is very popular. It has the largest network of physical units and ATMs in the country.
- BCR (George Account for Young People): Offers an excellent digital experience through the George application. The account can be opened 100% online. Includes free withdrawals from any ATM in the world and extra benefits (e.g. discounts on cinema tickets).
- ING Bank (ING Free@Home): Highly rated for its extremely stable mobile app. Fees are zero if you withdraw a certain amount of money monthly (the scholarship is sufficient) and make at least one payment with the card.
Mobility Infrastructure
To activate your student ID for the 90% discount on public transport in Romania, you must follow specific legal and administrative guidelines established under the Romanian Education Law.
Please note a key update to the law: the maximum age limit for the 90% discount has been raised from 26 to 30 years old for full-time students. Additionally, while local urban transport remains heavily subsidized, national train travel discounts under the latest Emergency Ordinances are restricted to the route between your place of residence and your university city.
Step 1: Obtain and Endorse Your Physical Student ID
You cannot use digital-only or international cards (like standard ISIC) for the national transport discount system.
- Get the Official ID: Your higher education institution issues a physical, nationally regulated Student ID Card for Transport.
- Annual Endorsement: Every academic year, you must submit this card to your university's secretariat or Student Info Center to receive an official stamp/visa. Without the current academic year stamp, transport operators will reject it.
- Temporary Certificates: If you are a first-year student and your booklet has not been printed yet, you can use an official paper certificate issued by your university secretariat, which is valid temporarily.
Step 2: Activating for Local Urban Transport (Metro, Buses, Trams)
The exact activation protocol depends on the city you are studying in.
Step 3: Activating for Train Travel (CFR Călători)
To apply the 90% discount on train tickets online or at ticket machines, you must link your student ID profile:
1. Go to the CFR Călători Official Website and create a passenger account.
2. Navigate to the Profile/Student Facilities section.
3. Input your student card serial number, your university name, and your CNP (or passport number for foreign students).
4. Once the system cross-references and validates your data, you can purchase 90% discounted tickets online.
Note: When boarding the train, you must always carry the original physical stamped student ID and your personal ID/passport to show the conductor alongside the ticket QR code.
