CRAIOVA, RO HANDBOOK Military Family Services Europe / MFS(E) Riga-Remote Team [email protected] www.cafconnection.ca / www.connexionfac.ca Date published: 06 March 2020 Date revised: 25 May 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS GREETINGS FROM YOUR MFS(E) TEAM....................... 2 MFS(E) Services ............................................................................................... 3 European Advisory Committee ........................................................................... 4 Using This Guide .............................................................................................. 5 SOME HELPFUL RESOURCES ....................................... 6 OVERVIEW OF ROMANIA ............................................ 7 Maps .............................................................................................................. 7 Overview of Craiova ..................................................................................... 8 Geography/Politics ......................................................................................... 10 Climate ......................................................................................................... 10 Languages ..................................................................................................... 11 Religion ........................................................................................................ 11 Cost of Living................................................................................................. 12 Canadian/Expat Community ............................................................................ 12 Cultural Nuances, Etiquette and Traditions ........................................................ 13 Public Holidays ............................................................................................... 16 News ............................................................................................................ 16 BEFORE YOU COME................................................... 18 EMERGENCY INFORMATION ..................................... 23 Public Safety and Security ............................................................................... 23 Emergency Contacts ....................................................................................... 23 GETTING SETTLED .................................................... 26 Making Phone Calls ......................................................................................... 26 Calling Within Europe ............................................................................... 26 Calling Outside of Romania ....................................................................... 26 Calling Canada from Romania ................................................................... 26 Calling Romania from Canada ................................................................... 26 Some Country Codes: .............................................................................. 27 Summary: .............................................................................................. 28 Toll Free and Charges for Calls .................................................................. 28 Where to Live ................................................................................................ 29 Houses and Realtors ....................................................................................... 29 BASE INFORMATION ................................................ 30 TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION ................................... 31 Subsidized Travel ........................................................................................... 31 NON-UNIT Fund and CANEX/SISIP Grant........................................................... 31 Air Travel ...................................................................................................... 31 Driving.......................................................................................................... 32 Public Transit ................................................................................................. 35 Train ............................................................................................................ 35 Taxis ............................................................................................................ 36 Car Rental ..................................................................................................... 38 Hotels ........................................................................................................... 38 Travel Advisories ............................................................................................ 38 ADMINISTRATION ................................................... 40 Banking ........................................................................................................ 40 Local Currency ........................................................................................ 40 Bank Accounts and Financial Considerations ............................................... 40 Bank Cards ............................................................................................. 41 Credit Cards ............................................................................................ 42 Online Banking Payments – IBANs, BICs, and TANs ..................................... 42 Money Transfer ....................................................................................... 43 CRA and Residency Status for Spouses/Dependents ........................................... 43 Child Benefits ................................................................................................ 44 Pets .............................................................................................................. 45 POSTAL SERVICES.................................................... 45 Personal Mail ................................................................................................. 45 Canadian Forces Post Office ...................................................................... 45 Romanian Postal Services ......................................................................... 46 HEALTH SERVICES ................................................... 49 General ......................................................................................................... 49 Emergency Numbers ...................................................................................... 50 Hospitals ....................................................................................................... 50 Private Clinics ................................................................................................ 51 Pharmaceutical Services .................................................................................. 53 Dental Clinics ................................................................................................. 55 Social Services ............................................................................................... 55 Social Worker .......................................................................................... 55 Padre ..................................................................................................... 55 CAF Member Assistance Program ............................................................... 56 Family Information Line ............................................................................ 56 Local Resources ....................................................................................... 56 A. A. Meetings ......................................................................................... 56 Great West Life / Allianz .................................................................................. 57 Dental Claims.......................................................................................... 57 Medical Claims ........................................................................................ 57 ON THE ROAD .......................................................... 58 General ......................................................................................................... 58 Driver’s Licence.............................................................................................. 58 Information on Driver’s Licence in Canada and Renewal ...................................... 61 Roadworthiness Test/Safety ............................................................................ 63 Vehicle Registration ........................................................................................ 63 Emission Sticker............................................................................................. 63 European Green Zones ............................................................................. 63 Tolls ............................................................................................................. 63 Mobile Phones ................................................................................................ 64 Winter Tires ................................................................................................... 64 Alcohol and Narcotics ...................................................................................... 64 Roadside Assistance ....................................................................................... 65 RELIGIOUS SERVICES .............................................. 66 English Language Services in the