Free eSIM for Romania 
3 GB of free mobile data across Romania — from Bucharest's boulevards to Brașov's medieval walls and the Transfăgărășan pass. Install on the plane, walk through Otopeni already online, and skip the Orange Romania kiosk in arrivals.
Free for new users · Credit card for identity verification only — never charged · Valid 3 days
Why an eSIM beats a Romanian prepaid
Romania doesn't require passport registration for prepaid SIMs — a genuine outlier in Europe — but the tourist packages are awkward. Orange and Vodafone shops near Otopeni run Galbenuș and Happy tourist packs at 35–50 RON for 10 GB, but you'll need RON in hand and the kiosks close at 8pm. A 99esim activates on the plane, is paid for in the currency of your choice, and delivers 3 GB free before you've even grabbed your checked bag. It also rides onward to Bulgaria, Hungary and Moldova-adjacent border zones.
- No kiosk queue and no need to find leu on arrival
- Works across Transylvania, Bucharest, the Black Sea coast, Maramureș
- Same profile carries into Hungary and Bulgaria — road-trip friendly
- 3 GB handles a week of Bucharest + Brașov + Sighișoara
How Romanian networks handle 99esim
99esim uses Orange Romania as primary host — the country's largest network by coverage and the first to launch 5G SA in 2022. You'll get 5G across Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Iași, Brașov and Constanța, plus along the A1, A2 and A3 motorways. LTE fills nearly everything else: Romania's 4G footprint is one of the best in Eastern Europe, thanks to aggressive 2015–2019 rural rollout.
Arriving at a Romanian airport
Otopeni is Romania's main gateway; Cluj, Timișoara and Iași round out Transylvania and Moldavia entry. All have full 5G at gates. Your eSIM connects the moment airplane mode drops, which is exactly when you'll want Bolt to show you the real taxi fare instead of arrivals-hall 'taxi lobby' quotes.
The express train to Gara de Nord takes 40 minutes with solid 4G the whole way. The 783 express bus is cheaper and also fully covered. Avoid the 'official taxi' lobby — use Bolt or Uber through your eSIM instead.
Transylvania's hub — 8 km from the city. Bus 5 and M24 run directly to the central train station. 5G holds across the whole ride. Heavy Wizz and Ryanair traffic.
Western Romania gateway, close to the Hungarian and Serbian borders. Bus E4 runs every 30 minutes to the centre with full 4G. Useful for overland trips into Serbia.
Moldavia's main airport, 7 km from the city. Bus 50 runs to Piața Unirii in 25 minutes — full 4G coverage. Close to the Republic of Moldova border.
Summer Black Sea gateway, 25 km from Mamaia beach. Bus 540 connects to the city in 40 minutes. Signal holds well along Route E60 toward the coast.
Small but well-connected to Germany and Austria. Bus 11 runs to the centre in 20 minutes. Gateway for the Transylvanian Saxon towns and the A1 motorway into central Romania.
Where your free eSIM works best
What 3 GB actually gets you in Romania
Romanian travel splits between city wandering and countryside driving. Here's how 3 GB realistically covers a week of exploration:
Romania-specific travel tips
Transfăgărășan mountain pass
The DN7C crosses the Făgăraș mountains at 2,042 metres — one of the most scenic drives in Europe and only open June–October. Orange has towers at Bâlea Lake and the southern portal, but the serpentine switchbacks between have big signal gaps. Download offline maps and share your estimated arrival time before you start.
Dracula's castle (Bran) coverage
Bran Castle itself has full 4G at the entrance, ticket area and inside the courtyard. The narrow stairwells between towers dip briefly but signal returns on every balcony. Nearby Rasnov Fortress has similar coverage; the forest road between them holds signal throughout.
Bucharest Metro lines
All four Metro lines (M1, M2, M3, M4) have DAS retrofitted between 2018 and 2022. Expect steady 4G in tunnels — M2, the newest on the north-south axis, has the strongest signal. The deeper Piața Unirii interchange can dip briefly but reconnects fast.
Painted monasteries of Bucovina
Voroneț, Sucevița, Moldovița and the other UNESCO painted monasteries all sit in rural Suceava county. Digi Mobil has the strongest rural footprint here — your eSIM may roam to Digi when Orange is weak. Coverage is reliable at each monastery complex; forest stretches between them can thin.
Black Sea coast in season
Mamaia, Vama Veche, Costinești and Constanța proper all have full 5G on Orange and Vodafone during the May–September peak. Winter coverage is the same; there's just no one using it. Ferry trips across the Danube Delta can drop signal in the channels — Tulcea itself is fully covered.
Travelers who used 99esim in Romania
"Drove from Bucharest up to Brașov then Sighișoara, ending at Cluj. eSIM held through the whole 600 km loop except 15 minutes on a mountain road near Bicaz."
"Long weekend in Bucharest — eSIM never dropped in the Metro, even on the deepest sections of M2 under the old town."
"Black Sea summer trip to Mamaia. 5G worked on the beach, on the boardwalk, and even on a boat trip out of Constanța harbour."
Frequently asked — Romania edition
Does the eSIM work in the Bucharest Metro?
Yes on all four lines. Metrorex installed DAS across M1, M2, M3 and M4 between 2018 and 2022. The newer M2 line has the strongest underground signal; the deeper interchange at Piața Unirii may briefly dip but reconnects within one station.
Will it work on the Transfăgărășan road?
In patches. The northern entrance at Bâlea Lake and the southern end at Vidraru Dam have Orange 4G. The switchback stretches between — especially around kilometre markers 60–70 — have long signal gaps due to mountain topography. Always download Google Maps offline for the full DN7C before starting.
Do I need to register my passport for a Romanian SIM?
Not for physical SIMs either — Romania is one of the few EU countries without mandatory registration. But the free 99esim eliminates the kiosk queue and RON cash requirement entirely, which is its own kind of win.
Can I use it across the border in Hungary or Bulgaria?
Yes. The plan covers 39 European countries including Hungary, Bulgaria and Moldova's eU-facing regions. Driving from Timișoara into Hungary or from Constanța down to Bulgaria hands off your phone automatically — you'll see the operator name change but data continues.
Is 5G included in the free plan?
Yes. Orange Romania launched 5G SA (standalone) in 2022 — the first in Southeast Europe — and coverage is now dense in Bucharest, Cluj, Timișoara, Iași and along the A1. If your device supports 5G the eSIM uses it automatically.
What happens after I use the 3 GB?
Top up in the 99esim app in under a minute. Romania top-ups start at around €2.99 for 1 GB. No auto-renewal, no card charge unless you actively top up. Your 30-day window stays the same.
Free eSIM in other European countries
Your 3 GB works in all 39 countries. Here are a few more popular destinations:
See all 39 countries →
Ready to claim your free 3 GB in Romania?
Install the 99esim app, create a free account, and your data is live in about 90 seconds.