Vaping is legal in Romania for adults aged 18 and older, but it is subject to strict public use bans, advertising restrictions, and high excise taxes. Under laws updated between 2024 and 2026, vaping is prohibited in enclosed public spaces, public transport, and near schools. Additionally, strict customs limits and registry tracking apply to nicotine products brought into the country.
- Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old to purchase or use e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches.
- Public Vaping Bans: Vaping is forbidden in enclosed workplaces, restaurants, bars, public transit, playgrounds, and near educational or medical facilities.
- Product Limits: E-liquids are capped at 20mg/mL nicotine strength, and nicotine pouches are limited to 20mg of nicotine per pouch.
- Taxation: E-liquids face high excise taxes, which are scheduled to rise to RON 1.03 (€0.21) per milliliter in 2026, alongside a standard VAT rate of 21%.
- Customs Enforcement: New rules track the frequency of tobacco and vape imports, requiring a minimum 40-day interval between personal shipments to prevent smuggling.
Romania has aligned its national tobacco control framework with European Union directives while implementing local restrictions on alternative nicotine products. The country has banned vaping in public areas, restricted online sales, and raised excise duties. Travelers and residents must navigate these rules to avoid fines of up to 500 RON for individuals and much higher penalties for commercial violations.
This guide outlines the legal status of vaping, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches in Romania, detailing where you can legally use these products, the taxes applied to them, and the customs allowances for entering the country.
1. Indoor and Venue-Specific Vaping Restrictions
Romania enforces some of the strictest anti-smoking and anti-vaping rules in Europe. The legal framework treats electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products similarly to traditional combustible cigarettes in most public settings.
Enclosed Public Spaces and Workplaces
Under Law No. 349/2002 and subsequent amendments, smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited inside all enclosed public venues. An enclosed public space is defined as any venue with a roof and at least two walls, regardless of whether it is temporary or permanent. This ban covers:
- Workplaces and shared office spaces.
- Bars, cafes, restaurants, and nightclubs.
- Government buildings and public service offices.
Private venues may establish their own house rules regarding indoor e-cigarette use, but outdoor terraces and open-air spaces generally permit both smoking and vaping.
Public Transportation
Vaping is banned on all forms of public transit. This includes buses, trams, trains, taxis, and metro stations. The restriction applies to both the interior of the vehicles and the enclosed waiting areas, platforms, and stations.
Educational and Healthcare Facilities
To protect youth and patients, Romania enforces a complete ban on vaping and smoking on the premises of all educational and medical institutions. This ban covers both the interior buildings and all outdoor areas, including schoolyards, university campuses, and hospital courtyards. Law No. 64/2024 requires educational institutions to write these prohibitions into their internal regulations and establish sanctions for students who violate them.
Playgrounds and Airports
Vaping is prohibited in all public children’s playgrounds, whether they are located in parks or outdoor dining areas. The only major exceptions to the indoor public ban are designated, enclosed, and ventilated smoking cubicles inside international airports and cells in maximum-security prisons.
Penalties for Violating Public Bans
Compliance is monitored by the Romanian Border Police and local law enforcement. Violations carry the following penalties:
- Individuals: Caught vaping in banned public spaces or transit face fines ranging from 100 RON to 500 RON (approximately €20 to €100).
- Businesses: Venue operators who fail to enforce the ban face fines starting at 5,000 RON (€1,000) for a first offense. A second offense triggers a 10,000 RON (€2,000) fine and temporary license suspension, while a third violation can result in a 15,000 RON (€3,300) fine and the closure of the business.
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2. Sales, Age Limits, and Product Regulations
Romania regulates the sale and composition of alternative nicotine products to align with the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) and to prevent underage access.
Minimum Age and Minor Protection Laws
The legal age to purchase and possess vaping products, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches in Romania is 18. Enacted on March 28, 2024, Law No. 64/2024 expanded previous restrictions to ensure that all electronic smoking devices, refill containers, and tobacco substitutes are prohibited for minors. Retailers must display a warning on their operating permits stating that sales to under-18s are illegal. Selling these products to minors leads to a €2,000 fine and a 30-day business suspension for the first offense, with repeat violations resulting in a €4,000 fine and permanent closure.
Product Standards and Nicotine Caps
E-cigarettes and e-liquids must comply with the EU TPD framework transposed via LEGE nr. 201 din 4 noiembrie 2016. These standards include:
- A maximum nicotine concentration of 20mg/mL for e-liquids.
- A maximum volume of 2ml for pre-filled cartridges or pods.
- A maximum volume of 10ml for dedicated e-liquid refill bottles.
- Child-resistant and tamper-evident packaging.
Unlike the standard EU directive, Romanian law also applies these safety and packaging regulations to nicotine-free e-cigarettes and e-liquids.
Nicotine Pouches and Heated Tobacco
Tobacco-free nicotine pouches are legal but subject to a maximum limit of 20mg of nicotine per pouch. Selling pouches that exceed this limit carries a fine between €15,000 and €20,000, along with the confiscation of the products. Heated tobacco products (such as IQOS and glo) are legal but are subject to the EU-wide ban on characterising flavors (such as menthol or fruit), which took effect in Romania on October 23, 2023, under Governmental Ordinance No. 23/2023.
Vending Machines and Distance Sales
To prevent minors from purchasing nicotine products, Romania has banned the sale of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches through vending machines. Additionally, the law prohibits the use of self-service lockers (such as easybox devices) for delivering these products. Online orders sent via courier services must carry a prominent warning label in Romanian:
“ATENTIE! ACEST PACHET CONTINE PRODUSE DIN TUTUN SI/SAU PRODUSE CARE CONTIN NICOTINĂ: A SE VERIFICA VARSTA CLIENTULUI” (Warning! This package contains tobacco and/or nicotine products. Please check client’s age).
Courier drivers must verify the recipient’s age using a valid ID before handing over the package.
3. Advertising and Marketing Restrictions
Romania has restricted the promotion of alternative nicotine products to reduce their appeal to youth. Law No. 232/2024 and amendments to Law No. 148/2000 establish strict boundaries for commercial communications:
- Location Bans: Explicit advertising for tobacco, vapes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches is prohibited inside educational and medical facilities, as well as within 200 meters of their entrances.
- Transit Restrictions: Advertising these products on public transportation tickets or vehicles is illegal.
- Media Restrictions: Audiovisual commercial communications (television and radio ads) for e-cigarettes, refill bottles, and nicotine pouches are banned.
Violations of these advertising regulations carry administrative fines ranging from €2,000 to €40,000.
4. Taxation on Vaping and Nicotine Products
Romania applies specific excise duties to vaping products and heated tobacco. These duties are adjusted periodically to meet fiscal targets and discourage consumption.
Excise Duties on E-Liquids
Romania introduced an e-cigarette tax in 2016 at €0.10 per milliliter of fluid. This rate rose to RON 0.52 (€0.11), then to RON 0.81 (€0.16), and is scheduled to reach RON 1.03 (€0.21) per milliliter in 2026. When adjusted for local purchasing power, this is one of the highest vape taxes in Europe, according to the Nanny State Index.
VAT Rate Changes
Under Law No. 141/2025, the Romanian government raised the standard Value Added Tax (VAT) rate from 19% to 21%, effective August 1, 2025. This increase applies to all consumer goods, including e-cigarettes, e-liquids, heated tobacco devices, and nicotine pouches, raising the retail price for consumers.
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5. Customs Rules and Personal Import Allowances
Travelers entering Romania must comply with specific import allowances, which vary depending on whether they arrive from an EU member state or a non-EU country.
Personal Import Limits for Travelers
The table below outlines the maximum quantities of tobacco and nicotine products that travelers aged 17 and older can bring into Romania duty-free for personal use.
| Product Category | EU Arrival Limit (Guideline) | Non-EU Arrival Limit (Strict Cap) |
|---|---|---|
| Cigarettes | 800 units | 200 units (40 units for land/sea travel) |
| Cigarillos (max 3g each) | 400 units | 100 units |
| Cigars | 200 units | 50 units |
| Smoking Tobacco | 1.0 kg | 250 grams |
| Heated Tobacco Sticks | 800 units | Subject to personal goods value allowance (€430 air/sea, €300 land) |
| E-cigarette Liquid | 1.0 Liter (max 10 retail packs) | Subject to personal goods value allowance (€430 air/sea, €300 land) |
The 40-Day Rule and Anti-Smuggling Controls
To curb the illicit tobacco trade, the Romanian Customs Administration and the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF) enforced new inspection guidelines in 2026. Customs officials now use an electronic registry to track the frequency of imports by individual travelers.
For tobacco and heated tobacco products to be considered “occasional” and for personal use, there must be a gap of at least 40 days between trips where these goods are brought into the country. If a traveler exceeds the personal limits or makes frequent trips within the 40-day window, customs authorities may presume the goods are for commercial sale. Violations carry fines ranging from 20,000 RON to 100,000 RON (€3,825 to €19,125) and the confiscation of the goods.
Snus vs. Nicotine Pouches
- Snus: The commercial sale and import of traditional tobacco-containing snus are prohibited in Romania under Article 17 of EU Directive 2014/40/EU. While personal possession and use are not criminalized, online orders shipped from abroad are subject to seizure by customs.
- Nicotine Pouches: Tobacco-free nicotine pouches are legal to import for personal use, provided they do not exceed the 20mg per pouch limit. Online orders from EU-based retailers are permitted under the free movement of goods, with no additional customs duties.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Can I vape in bars and restaurants in Romania?
No. Vaping is banned in all enclosed public spaces, including bars, restaurants, cafes, and clubs. You can only vape in outdoor seating areas, open terraces, or designated ventilated smoking areas where permitted by the venue.
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What is the legal age to buy vapes in Romania?
The legal age to purchase any vaping product, e-liquid, heated tobacco device, or nicotine pouch is 18. Retailers are required to check photo identification to verify age, and online deliveries require age verification upon receipt.
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Can I bring my vape on a flight to Romania?
Yes, but you must follow airline safety rules. All vape devices, vaporizers, and spare lithium batteries must be packed in your carry-on luggage. E-liquids in carry-on bags must be in containers of 100ml or less and placed inside a clear, resealable plastic bag. Larger bottles must be packed in checked luggage.
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Are flavored vapes banned in Romania?
Heated tobacco products (such as IQOS and glo) with characterising flavors (like fruit or menthol) are banned. However, flavored e-liquids for open-system, rechargeable electronic cigarettes remain legal to purchase, provided they comply with the 20mg/mL nicotine cap.
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Can I order nicotine pouches online to Romania?
Yes. You can legally order tobacco-free nicotine pouches online from EU-based retailers for personal use. Ensure the pouches do not exceed the Romanian limit of 20mg of nicotine per pouch to avoid customs issues.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Vaping and tobacco regulations in Romania are subject to change. Travelers and residents should consult the official guidelines provided by the Romanian Customs Administration and the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF) for the most current information before traveling or importing goods.
