Why Romania is EU's Best Value
- Cheapest in EU: €55-70k total vs €100-150k Western Europe
- Same EASA License: Valid across all 35 EU member states immediately
- Ultra-Low Living: €250-400/month all-in (cheapest in EU)
- English Training: No Romanian required, international students welcome
- Modern Equipment: Glass cockpit aircraft, new simulators, quality training
Romania: EU's Hidden Pilot Training Gem
Romania offers the cheapest EASA pilot training in the European Union - period. Save €40,000-80,000 compared to UK, Germany, or France while getting the exact same license.
The numbers are striking: Integrated ATPL €55-70k. Monthly living costs €250-400. Total investment €65-85k for 18 months. Compare that to €130-180k in Western Europe.
Quality isn't compromised. Romanian schools operate modern Diamond and Cessna fleets with glass cockpit avionics. FNPT II simulators. EASA-approved instructors. The same standards as expensive Western schools.
Strategic location: Train near Carpathian Mountains. Access to diverse airspace. Four-season flying. Central European position enables cross-border training flights. Perfect preparation for airline careers.
Top Romanian Flight Schools: Quick Comparison
| School | Location | ATPL Cost | Fleet | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerostar Bacau | Bacau | €55-65k | 20+ aircraft | Absolute lowest cost |
| Bucharest Flying Club | Bucharest | €60-70k | 15+ aircraft | Capital city life |
| Transilvania Aviation | Cluj-Napoca | €58-68k | Diamond fleet | Modern equipment |
All schools: EASA-approved, English instruction, modern fleets, same license validity as Western Europe. Add only €8,000-15,000 for 18-month living expenses.
Aerostar Bacau Flight School
Bacau | EU's Lowest Cost | 30+ Years Experience
Absolute Lowest Cost
€55-65k integrated ATPL - cheapest EASA training in entire EU. Bacau living costs €250-300/month. Total investment under €75k including everything.
Modern Fleet
20+ aircraft: Cessna 172, Diamond DA40/42, Tecnam P2006T twins. Glass cockpit Garmin G1000 avionics. FNPT II simulators on-site.
Established School
30+ years training pilots. Part of Aerostar aerospace company. Strong aviation heritage. Hundreds of graduates flying for European airlines.
Diverse Training
Near Carpathian Mountains. Four-season flying conditions. Access to varied terrain and airspace. Excellent cross-country training environment.
Best for: Budget-focused students wanting maximum savings. €40-80k less than Western Europe for same EASA license. Bacau offers authentic Romanian experience with ultra-low living costs.
Bucharest Flying Club
Bucharest | Capital City | International Hub
Capital City Benefits
Train at Bucharest Baneasa Airport. Access to major city amenities. Excellent nightlife, restaurants, culture. International airport connections.
Busy Airspace Training
Train in controlled airspace near Henri Coandă International. Excellent preparation for airline operations. Busy traffic patterns and procedures.
International Community
Large expat community in Bucharest. English widely spoken. Active student social scene. Easy integration for international students.
Experienced Instructors
EASA-certified instructors with airline backgrounds. Complete English instruction. Modern Cessna and Diamond aircraft with latest avionics.
Best for: Students wanting capital city lifestyle while saving money. Bucharest offers best of both worlds - low costs (€350/month vs €800+ Western Europe) plus big city amenities and international connections.
Transilvania Aviation Academy
Cluj-Napoca | Modern Fleet | Tech Hub
Diamond Specialists
Exclusive Diamond DA40 and DA42 fleet. Modern composite aircraft with Garmin G1000 glass cockpit. Fuel-efficient, reliable, safe training platforms.
Tech City Hub
Cluj-Napoca is Romania's tech capital. Young, dynamic city. Major universities. Growing IT and startup scene. English widely used.
Transylvania Location
Beautiful region near mountains. Four-season flying. Access to diverse terrain including hills, plains, mountains. Scenic training environment.
Student City
Major student population. Active social life. Affordable entertainment. Good balance between training intensity and quality of life.
Best for: Students wanting modern equipment in dynamic city. Cluj combines low costs, young energy, and Diamond fleet excellence. Perfect balance of affordability, quality, and lifestyle.
Complete Cost Breakdown: Romania vs Western Europe
ROMANIA (18 months)
WESTERN EUROPE (18 months)
Save 35-55% on training fees PLUS ultra-low living costs. Same EASA license. Same career opportunities. Get identical validation across all EU airlines.
Why Romania Beats Every Other EU Country
Absolute Lowest Cost
€65-80k total vs €130-180k Western Europe. Save a house deposit while getting same EASA license.
Ultra-Low Living Costs
€250-400/month all-in. Cheapest in entire EU. Rent €150-250, food €100-150, transport €20-50.
Same EASA License
Valid across all 35 EASA states immediately. Airlines don't care where you trained - license is identical.
Modern Equipment
Glass cockpit Diamond and Cessna fleets. FNPT II simulators. Same technology as expensive schools.
English Training
No Romanian required. Complete EASA programs in English. International student support services.
Diverse Geography
Mountains, plains, Danube Delta. Four-season training. Varied airspace and terrain for comprehensive experience.
Student Life: What €300/Month Gets You
Bacau (Aerostar)
Bucharest (Capital)
Cluj-Napoca (Tech)
What You Get
- Modern studio or shared apartment
- Full meals - Romanian cuisine affordable
- Reliable public transport
- Fast internet everywhere
- Safe neighborhoods
- English-speaking communities
Student Life
- Bucharest: Capital nightlife, culture, entertainment
- Cluj: Young tech hub, university city vibe
- Bacau: Authentic Romanian experience, lowest costs
- All cities: Safe, welcoming, international students
- Weekend trips: Brasov, Sibiu, Danube Delta
- EU location: Easy travel to Budapest, Sofia
How to Apply & Start Training
Requirements
- Age 17+ to start (18 for license)
- High school diploma
- EASA Class 1 medical certificate
- ICAO Level 4 English minimum
- No experience needed
- EU visa for non-EU citizens
Application Process
- Contact school directly or via Airmappr
- Submit application and documents
- Complete medical exam
- Arrange financing (bank loans available)
- School assists with visa
- Housing arranged by school
- Start training on cohort date
Career Prospects
Your Romanian EASA license opens every European airline: Wizz Air (Budapest hub nearby), Ryanair, easyJet, Blue Air, TAROM, and all European carriers actively hiring.
Career timeline: Graduate with frozen ATPL. Most secure First Officer positions within 6-12 months. Starting salary €35-50k. Romanian training saves €50-80k that Western Europe graduates spend - you start career debt-free or with manageable loans.
Romania: The Smart Pilot's Choice
Choose Aerostar Bacau if: Absolute lowest cost matters most. €65-75k total investment. Ultra-low €250/month living. Maximum savings for same EASA license.
Choose Bucharest Flying Club if: Want capital city amenities with low costs. €350/month living vs €800+ Western Europe. International connections and nightlife.
Choose Transilvania Aviation if: Modern Diamond fleet important. Cluj tech hub energy. Balance of affordability, equipment quality, and student life.
Bottom line: Save €50-90k in Romania. Get identical EASA license. Start airline career debt-free. Romanian training is Europe's best-kept secret for budget-conscious pilots.