Lilshira
Romania tourism 2026: over 11 million visitors, foreign arrivals rise
Romania recorded more than 11 million tourist arrivals in the first nine months of 2026, with foreign visitors increasing by 11.1% year on year. The data, covering January through September 2026, reflects growth for international travellers while domestic tourism showed a slight decline, shaping the country's overall tourism balance.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Total tourist arrivals rose to 11.078 million, up 1.2% from 2025
- Timing
- Data covers January‑September 2026
- Who is affected
- All visitors to Romania, domestic and international
The details
- Announced by
- National Institute of Statistics (INS)
Overall tourism performance
The National Institute of Statistics reported that Romania attracted 11,078,200 tourists from January to September 2026, representing a 1.2% increase compared with the same period in 2025. Accommodation activity also grew modestly, with overnight stays reaching 23,992,300, a rise of 0.5% over the previous year. These figures show that the tourism sector maintained positive momentum despite divergent trends in domestic and international markets.
- Total arrivals: 11,078,200
- Total overnight stays: 23,992,300
- Overall growth: +1.2% arrivals, +0.5% stays
International visitor growth
Foreign tourism was the strongest growth driver, with 2,159,700 international arrivals – an 11.1% jump from the prior year. International guests generated 4,394,400 overnight stays, up 10.4% year on year. European travellers remained the largest source, contributing 76.6% of foreign arrivals, while North America and Asia showed notable percentage gains, expanding Romania's overseas visitor base.
- International arrivals: 2,159,700 (+11.1%)
- International overnight stays: 4,394,400 (+10.4%)
- European share of foreign arrivals: 76.6%
Domestic tourism trend
Domestic travel experienced a slight contraction, with Romanian residents accounting for 8,918,500 arrivals – a 1% decline compared with 2025. Despite the dip, domestic visitors still represented 80.5% of total arrivals and generated 19,597,900 overnight stays, down 1.5% year on year. The contrast between falling local numbers and rising foreign demand highlighted the shifting balance within Romania's tourism market.
September 2026 showed a modest rebound for domestic travellers, with arrivals up 2.6% and overnight stays increasing 2%, suggesting a possible recovery later in the year.
- Domestic arrivals: 8,918,500 (‑1%)
- Domestic overnight stays: 19,597,900 (‑1.5%)
- September domestic growth: +2.6% arrivals, +2% stays
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Existing travel itineraries to Romania remain unchanged
- No new entry restrictions have been announced for 2026
Cost and documents
- No additional fees are required for visitors based on the new statistics
- Travel documents stay the same as those normally needed for entry into Romania
What you need to do
- Monitor future releases from the National Institute of Statistics for any updates
- Travel operators may consider adjusting marketing to target the growing foreign visitor segments
Who this affects
-
European tourists
Europe supplied 76.6% of foreign arrivals in Jan‑Sept 2026
-
North American tourists
North America saw a 23.7% rise, adding about 172,600 visitors
-
Asian tourists
Asian arrivals increased 8.8% to roughly 223,500 visitors
Frequently asked questions
How many tourists visited Romania in 2026?
Romania welcomed 11,078,200 tourists from January through September 2026, according to the National Institute of Statistics.
What was the percentage increase in foreign arrivals in Romania in 2026?
Foreign arrivals rose by 11.1% year on year, reaching approximately 2,159,700 international visitors in the first nine months of 2026.
Which region supplied the most international visitors to Romania in 2026?
Europe was the largest source region, accounting for 76.6% of all foreign arrivals during January‑September 2026.
How did domestic tourism in Romania change in 2026?
Domestic arrivals fell 1% to about 8.918 million, and domestic overnight stays declined 1.5% to roughly 19.6 million in the same period.
What are the overnight stay figures for international visitors in Romania 2026?
International tourists generated 4,394,400 overnight stays between January and September 2026, a 10.4% increase from the previous year.
Did Romania's total overnight stays grow in 2026?
Total overnight stays rose modestly to 23,992,300, representing a 0.5% increase compared with the same period in 2025.
