In brief
Bucharest is exposed to earthquakes from the Vrancea focus, but the risk is concentrated in particular buildings, mainly old and tall ones, and it is mapped in an official list. Before buying, check whether the building appears on the AMCCRS list and in which class, when and to which standard it was built, whether there is an engineering report and whether the structure has been altered. It is worth getting the answers in writing and attaching them to the contract.
Key takeaways
- 1Buildings that have been assessed are classified in seismic risk classes RsI to RsIV. A building in class RsI is marked with a round red sign, the "red dot".
- 2According to the city hall's guide, the list updated in May 2026 includes more than 400 buildings in class RsI, most of them built in 1940 or earlier.
- 3A building that is not on the list is not necessarily safe: it may never have been assessed.
- 4New construction is designed to the P100 standard; the P100-1/2013 edition has applied to new design contracts since 2014.
- 5Under Law 169/2026, hidden defects are covered for 10 years from acceptance of the building, and defects in the load-bearing structure for the building's entire life (Articles 424 and 451).
Buyers from Israel often ask whether it is "safe to buy in Bucharest" because of earthquakes. It is a fair question, but it is not the right one. The risk in Bucharest is real, but it is not spread evenly across the city. It is concentrated in particular buildings, and many of them already appear on an official list. So the right question is "what is the condition of this building?", and that question can be answered with documents.
This guide deals with the legal and documentary side of the check: what the official classification says, what to ask the seller or developer for, who is liable if a defect is discovered, and what to put in the contract. It does not replace an engineering report on a specific building.
Why is Bucharest exposed to earthquakes?
The source is the Vrancea area in the arc of the Carpathian Mountains, about 150 km north-east of the city. Earthquakes there occur at intermediate depth, usually between about 70 and about 160 km, and are therefore felt over a wide area. Bucharest is built on soft sediments and feels them strongly.
In the earthquake of 4 March 1977, of magnitude about 7.4, 1,424 people were killed in Bucharest, most of them in the collapse of old tall buildings. Earlier, on 10 November 1940, an earthquake of magnitude 7.7 brought down a tall building in the city centre. The lesson the city learned is simple: the damage is determined by the building, not by the neighbourhood.
According to the city hall's guide, the list updated in May 2026 includes more than 400 buildings in class RsI, most of them built in 1940 or earlier.
What is the "red dot" list and what do the classes mean?
After an engineering assessment, a building is classified in one of four seismic risk classes. The municipal authority for the consolidation of buildings at seismic risk, AMCCRS, publishes the official list with the address, the year of construction, the number of storeys and the class.
| Class | What it means | What it tells the buyer |
|---|---|---|
| RsI | High risk of collapse in a strong earthquake. Marked with a round red sign | Requires an in-depth check, and usually also questions about a consolidation plan and its funding |
| RsII | Heavy structural damage expected, collapse unlikely | Ask for the engineering report and ask about the building's plans |
| RsIII | Non-structural damage expected | Check the engineering report and the condition of the building |
| RsIV | Expected response similar to that of a building designed to current standards | The usual check of a building |
According to the Bucharest city hall's guide to the list, the version updated in May 2026 includes more than 400 buildings in class RsI. Most of them are in sectors (sectoare) 1, 2 and 3, and most were built in 1940 or earlier.
The first: concluding that a building not on the list is safe. The list includes only buildings that have been assessed, and an old building that does not appear on it may simply not have been assessed. The second: assuming that a building "undergoing consolidation" is no longer in class RsI. The class does not change until the works are completed and approved.
How do the year of construction and the standard affect the risk?
New buildings in Romania are designed to the P100 seismic design standard. The P100-1/2013 edition has applied to new design contracts since 2014. It sets the design earthquake for each area, the structural requirements and the checks that a licensed designer and a licensed verifier must sign off on.
| Construction period | The typical picture |
|---|---|
| Up to 1940, a tall building in the centre | The highest proportion of RsI buildings on the list |
| 1941 to 1977 | A mixed picture. Many were assessed after 1977 |
| 1978 to 2013 | Designed to the post-1977 standards, and usually in better condition |
| Under P100-1/2013 | The current standard, with licensed design and verification |
A low-rise house designed to the current standard is a different risk profile from a tall block from the 1930s. That does not mean there is no risk. It means that the risk was designed for, calculated and signed off by licensed professionals, and there are documents you can ask for.
Who is liable if a structural defect is discovered?
Since 25 August 2026 the matter has been governed by the Planning and Construction Code, Law 169/2026, which on this subject replaced Article 30 of Law 10/1995. Under Articles 424 and 451, the designer, the contractor and the other parties to the project are liable for hidden defects for 10 years from acceptance of the building, and for defects in the load-bearing structure throughout the building's life. In addition, under Article 556, the developer and the contractor must carry liability insurance for 10 years for damage discovered after acceptance.
We went into the liability periods, the difference between the seller's liability and the builders' liability, and what to do when a defect is discovered in the guide to construction defects in a new home and in the guide to taking delivery of a new apartment.
Seven checks before signing for an apartment in Bucharest
- The year of construction. Ask for it in writing, and check it against the land book extract and the building's documents.
- The official list. Search for the address on the AMCCRS list and note the class, if any.
- An engineering report. For an old building that is not on the list, ask whether an engineering report (expertiză tehnică) exists and ask for a copy.
- The standard for new construction. Ask the developer for confirmation that the structure was designed to P100-1/2013 and checked by a licensed verifier.
- Who signed off the structure. The names of the structural designer and the verifier appear in the building permit documents.
- Structural alterations. Walls removed in old apartments are a known risk. Ask for the permit for any such alteration.
- Insurance. Make sure the home has valid PAD insurance, and consider additional voluntary cover.
What should you put in the purchase contract?
A verbal answer from a seller or an agent does not protect you. The seismic information should go into the contract itself:
- A declaration by the seller of the year of construction and, if the building is classified in a seismic risk class, which class.
- A declaration whether they know of an engineering report, with the copy attached as an annex.
- A declaration whether structural alterations were made in the apartment, with the permits attached.
- For new construction: the standard to which the structure was designed, and the details of the 10-year liability insurance policy under Article 556.
- For a building facing consolidation: what is known about the timetable and the split of costs among the owners.
What does PAD insurance cover, and what not?
Every home in Romania must carry PAD insurance under Law 260/2008. It covers earthquake, flood and landslide. For a home built of concrete or brick (type A), the premium is 130 lei a year and the maximum sum insured is 100,000 lei, as of October 2026 and according to the data of PAID, the mandatory home insurance pool. This is a base layer, not the value of the property, so most owners add voluntary insurance. We wrote in detail about PAD, the building insurance the bank requires and the differences between them in the guide to mortgage insurance in Romania.
What to do before signing?
Before a binding offer, you should have in hand the year of construction, the result of the search of the official list, an engineering report if one exists, and a valid PAD policy. If the building is old or classified, consider an independent engineering inspection before signing. We accompany Israeli buyers on the legal side of the check together with lawyers and notaries licensed in Romania, who draw up the contract and the registration under local law, and in cooperation with local engineers for the technical part.
This article is general information, current as of October 2026, and is not legal or engineering advice for a specific case. For a specific building, rely on an engineering report by a licensed engineer and on a check by a local lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
What is a "red dot" building in Bucharest?
A building that has been assessed and classified in seismic risk class I (RsI), the highest, and is marked with a round red sign at the entrance. The official list is published by AMCCRS, the municipal authority for the consolidation of buildings at seismic risk.
How do you check whether a building in Bucharest has seismic risk?
Search for the address on the AMCCRS list, check the year of construction, and for an old building ask whether an engineering report exists. For a new building, ask for confirmation that the structure was designed to P100-1/2013 and checked by a licensed verifier.
Is a building that does not appear on the list safe?
Not necessarily. The list includes only buildings that have been assessed. An old building that does not appear on it may simply not have been assessed, so ask about an engineering report.
Who is liable for a structural defect in a new building in Romania?
Under Law 169/2026 (Articles 424 and 451), the designer, the contractor and the other parties are liable for hidden defects for 10 years from acceptance of the building, and for defects in the load-bearing structure for the building's entire life.
Is earthquake insurance mandatory in Romania?
Yes. PAD insurance under Law 260/2008 is mandatory for every home and covers earthquake, flood and landslide. For a type A home the premium is 130 lei a year and the cover is up to 100,000 lei, as of October 2026.
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The information in this guide is general in nature and does not constitute legal or tax advice on any specific transaction. Every transaction is assessed on its own facts.