Hungarians are being taken to Romania for shopping by bus

At the beginning of February, a strange advertisement appeared in social media groups in cities in eastern Hungary, in which shopping in Romanian shops was promoted as part of a completely new business model. The initiative was inspired by the Schengen enlargement that came into effect on January 1, 2025, which abolished personal checks at internal land borders.

Cross-border changes

The decision had a significant impact on the Hungarian-Romanian border economy. On the Hungarian side, the real estate market and tourism boomed, while on the Romanian side, businesses near the border complained of a decrease in turnover. Border shops, on the other hand, have become “closer” to Hungarian shoppers, who are also encouraged by inflation and rising food prices to look for other options.

Is it worth shopping in Romania?

There is generally no significant difference between store prices in Romania and Hungary. Meat and dairy products are similar, eggs are more expensive, but some international soft drinks can be cheaper. However, if we add the cost of exchanging the Romanian leu, the cost of transportation and tolls, and the time spent, shopping no longer seems worthwhile. Unless someone is a commuter in the first place.
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