When we decided to emigrate to Romania, we quickly realized that we wanted to buy our own house, because this would not only make us more independent, but also give us a much stronger connection to the country. However, we soon noticed that buying a house here works very differently than in Germany, so it is essential to take the time to really understand the process. On the one hand, real estate prices are often temptingly low, but on the other hand, you often encounter surprises because not every property is correctly registered in the land registry and because many houses exist without official building documents. To avoid unpleasant surprises, it is important to find a trustworthy notary and, at the same time, have a lawyer at your side who can clarify legal issues and ensure that everything is handled properly. It is also important to remember that you need a lot of patience here, because some formalities take longer and not all information is immediately available. Nevertheless, for us, the positive aspects outweigh the negative, because those who are willing to embrace the country, the people, and the sometimes slightly different ways of doing things will ultimately gain not only a house, but also a real piece of a new home.
The most important question for many people first:
As a German citizen in Romania, do I have anything to fear?
No—on the contrary.
🟢 Reality:
Germans have a very good reputation in Romania—because of their quality, punctuality, and reliability.
“German” = positive connotation, often with admiration.
Communities of German origin still exist, particularly in Transylvania and Banat..
There is no significant racism against Germans or EU foreigners..
🔒 Safety for foreigners:
In rural areas, people react with curiosity but not hostility .
In cities, people are used to foreigners (many Italians, French, Germans, Israelis, and Americans live there).
No political groups that explicitly present themselves as “anti-Western” or “anti-German.”
✅ General safety:
Violent crime is very low in Romania.
Crimes against foreigners are extremely rare..
Burglary does occur in the suburbs, but significantly less than in many German cities.
⚠️ What you should pay attention to:
Traffic conditions are sometimes chaotic (aggressive driving).
In the healthcare sector, you should give preference to private clinics, especially for children.
Now that we have clarified the issue of safety and addressed the biggest prejudices against Romania, let's return to the topic of buying a house:
🔎 Real estate portals for Romania (2025)
Here you will find reputable platforms for buying a house without too many overpriced offers for foreigners:
One of Romania's largest portals (part of OLX).
Filters for region, price, rural/urban.
Tip:Search in Romanian (e.g., “casă de vânzare Sighișoara”).
Very detailed, including location assessment and neighborhood comparison.
Good filters for properties, yards, apartments.
Classified ads platform, many private sales = lower prices.
Caution: Exercise caution with advance payments, and only make them with an interpreter or companion if necessary.
Particularly popular in Banat and Transylvania.
Plenty on offer in rural areas.
Additional tip for buying a house: Search in Romanian
For lower prices, you should use Romanian terms:
House = casă
Farmhouse = casă țărănească
Property = teren
Buy = vânzare
Example search for Sighisoara on imobiliare.ro:casă de vânzare în Sighișoara
✉️ Sample texts for messages to sellers or real estate agents when buying a house (Romanian + English)
A. Request to view the house / price inspection
Romanian:
„Bună ziua, sunt American și sunt interesat de proprietatea dvs. din Sighișoara (adresă/ID). Aș dori să o vizionez în luna următoare. Este disponibil un tur? Mulțumesc anticipat!“English:
“Hello, I am American and interested in your property in Sighișoara (address or listing ID). I would like to view it sometime next month. Would it be possible to arrange a viewing? Thank you in advance!”
B. Express interest + negotiate price
Romanian:
„Locuința arată foarte bine, dar este puțin peste bugetul meu actual. Există spațiu pentru negociere?“English:
“I really like the property, but it's a little over my current budget. Is a discount negotiable?”
👥 On-site information: Tour & trust
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Translation support: If you don't speak Romanian, use Google Translate beforehand. At the appointment itself: younger real estate agents often speak English or German—especially in Transylvania.
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Brokerage fees: The usual commission is 1–4 % of the purchase price, often around 1,5–2 % for buyers if purchased through an agency. Manche Objekte – insbesondere bei Privatverkauf – sind provisionsfrei.
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Beware of fake ads or overpriced redundancies:
Many broker lists are very similar, but with a price premium. Better: communicate directly with the owner on OLX, Storia, or Imobiliare RO. -
Sightseeing tips:
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Ideally, book an Airbnb or a guesthouse in the area you are considering for 1–2 weeks.
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Use the time to explore the area, talk to neighbors, contact the town hall/law office (local council) for more information about the property..
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📝 On-site checklist for buying a house
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Contact us by email or phone at Private Imobiliare or Real Start.
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If necessary, copy/save the cover letter in Romanian.
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During the tour: Ask about the land registry (“Cadastru / Carte Funciară”), contaminated sites, NIF (tax number), connection costs.
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Be clear with suppliers, but always polite.
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No payment before objectivity – Brokerage fee payable only upon successful completion of purchase.
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Optional: Have an interpreter or Romanian-speaking companion with you. ChatGPT can help you prepare for this.
Suitable places for conservative, safe living in Romania
1. 🇷🇴 Schäßburg (Sighișoara) – Transylvania
UNESCO World Heritage Site, medieval townscape, peaceful way of life
Strong German influence (Transylvanian Saxons) – historical connection noticeable.
Religiously influenced: a mixture of Orthodox, Protestant, and Catholic.
Very safe, low crime rate, no significant migration.
Low cost of living, increasingly popular with German retirees.
Internet & Infrastruktur gut, medizinische Versorgung befriedigend (nächstgrößere Stadt: Târgu Mureș).
- German school (Liceul Teoretic „Josef Haltrich“)) and kindergarten (preschool)
2. 🌆 Sibiu (Hermannstadt)
Largest “German city” in Romania, historically strongly influenced by Germany.
Conservative but open-minded—the perfect mix for many expats.
Good hospitals, many German-speaking doctors, German schools.
Prices are rising, but quality of life is excellent.
3. 🏔️ Fogarasch (Făgăraș) – Zentrums-Karpaten
Quiet small town with mountain views, ideal for nature lovers and self-caterers.
Strong Romanian Orthodox influence, conservative population.
Affordable real estate, including some farms, starting at €20–30,000.
Little tourism, hardly any international migration.
4. 🌲 Hatzeg (Hațeg) – Southwestern Transylvania
A small town surrounded by many traditional villages.
Particularly suitable for self-sufficient individuals, dropouts, or preppers.
Very conservative, Christian-influenced environment.
Low crime rate, family-friendly.
5. 🏞️ Suczawa (Suceava) – Bukowina
If you are looking for stronger religious roots, this is the place for you.
Orthodox heartland, hardly any foreigners, hardly any migration.
Very family-oriented society, low crime rate.
Cold climate, remote – but culturally interesting.
✅ Conclusion: Suitable for you as a conservative dropout
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Regional characteristics: All locations—especially Sighisoara and Făgăraș—are traditionally Christian with strong religious support and little migration.
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Safety: Very low crime rate, good neighborhoods, especially in the traditional districts.
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German connection: Sighisoara has a noticeable German history, polite tone, respectful towards EU foreigners – particularly open towards Germans.
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Family-friendly: Often spacious properties, space for children, stable social structure – low crime rate and affordable housing costs.
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