Checked for this article on June 6, 2026. Always verify current rules before acting.
Open sourceFirst month
First-month budget in Romania for Canadian medical students
The first month in Romania is not the same as a normal monthly budget. New students often pay deposits, buy basic home items, set up a phone plan or eSIM, travel locally, print documents, complete arrival tasks, and still cover food and transport. That is why a first-month buffer matters.
Budget logic
Separate arrival costs from regular monthly costs.
Regular monthly costs are what life looks like once rent, food, transport, and routines stabilize. First-month costs include setup. For Canadian students, that setup can include rent deposit, first rent payment, temporary housing, local transport, kitchen basics, bedding, residence-card paperwork logistics, and extra document printing.
A student who budgets only for the normal month can feel short immediately after arrival even if the city is cheaper than Canada.
First month
Regular monthly costs are what life looks like once rent, food, transport, and routines stabilize. First-month costs include setup. For Canadian students, that setup can include rent deposit, first rent payment, temporary housing, local transport, kitchen basics, bedding, residence-card paperwork logistics, and extra document printing.
Arrival items
Plan the practical apps and services before landing.
Useful arrival tools can include Airalo or another eSIM option for early data, Bolt for rides, Glovo or Wolt for food delivery, local banking research, and Revolut once residency and eligibility requirements fit your situation. These are convenience tools, not official requirements.
Keep this separate from the visa and residence file. Apps help daily life; official documents control legal and university steps.
- Temporary phone data or eSIM for the first days.
- Airport and train station transport buffer.
- First rent, deposit, and basic apartment setup.
- Groceries, kitchen basics, bedding, and toiletries.
- Printing, photocopies, folders, and local appointment transport.
First month
Useful arrival tools can include Airalo or another eSIM option for early data, Bolt for rides, Glovo or Wolt for food delivery, local banking research, and Revolut once residency and eligibility requirements fit your situation. These are convenience tools, not official requirements.
Craiova context
Craiova can be lower cost, but setup still needs cash flow.
Craiova is usually more affordable than major Canadian cities, which is one reason students compare it seriously. But affordability does not remove the need for a first-month buffer. Deposits, travel, and document tasks can stack quickly.
The right plan uses three columns: one-time arrival costs, recurring monthly costs, and official university or immigration costs.
First month
Craiova is usually more affordable than major Canadian cities, which is one reason students compare it seriously. But affordability does not remove the need for a first-month buffer. Deposits, travel, and document tasks can stack quickly.
Premium support
A good arrival guide should feel specific.
For paid clients, the arrival material should not be a generic city guide. It should explain what students actually need: housing search sites, local apps, transport, SIM or eSIM, food delivery, banking options, document backups, and what to do during the first week.
That is part of the reason StudyROM separates public SEO articles from private client PDFs. Public pages answer the search. Private guides organize the action.
First month
For paid clients, the arrival material should not be a generic city guide. It should explain what students actually need: housing search sites, local apps, transport, SIM or eSIM, food delivery, banking options, document backups, and what to do during the first week.
Sources
Official-source checks used in this guide.
These links are included because admission, visa, tuition, recognition, and licensing rules can change. Treat StudyROM as guidance, not the final authority.
Next guides
Continue from the same decision path.
Use the related pages to compare cost, recognition, documents, visa timing, or StudyROM support before paying.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is Craiova cheaper than Canadian cities?
Usually yes for day-to-day student life, but students still need a first-month setup buffer.
Are apps like Bolt or Glovo official requirements?
No. They are practical local tools, not university, visa, or residence requirements.
Should I budget differently for the first month?
Yes. First-month setup costs are usually higher than a normal month.