Eurovision – 🇷🇴 Romania

Romania made its first appearance in a Eurovision competition in 1993 and is set to return to the contest in 2026.

Romania in the Eurovision Song Contest

Romania previously competed in the Eurovision Song Contest between 1993 and 2023 and only missed participating in the contest once in 2016 until it withdrew from competing in the 2024 contest. On October 30, 2025, it was announced that Romania would return to the competition in 2026.

Romania’s results in the contest to date are:

• 1993 – Dida Drăgan – “Nu pleca” – 7th (Failed to qualify) – 38 points
• 1994 – Dan Bittman – “Dincolo de nori” – 21st – 14 points
• 1996 – Monica Anghel and Sincron – “Rugă pentru pacea lumii” – Failed to qualify – 29th out of 29 in the audio qualifying round
• 1998 – Mălina Olinescu – “Eu cred” – 22nd – 6 points
• 2000 – Taxi – “The Moon” – 17th – 25 points
• 2002 – Monica Anghel and Marcel Pavel – “Tell Me Why” – 9th – 71 points
• 2003 – Nicola – “Don’t Break My Heart” – 10th – 73 points
• 2004 – Sanda – “I Admit” – 18th – 18 points
• 2005 – Luminița Anghel and Sistem – “Let Me Try” – 3rd – 158 points
• 2006 – Mihai Trăistariu – “Tornero” – 4th – 172 points
• 2007 – Todomondo – “Liubi, Liubi, I Love You” – 13th – 84 points
• 2008 – Nico and Vlad – “Pe-o margine de lume” – 20th – 45 points
• 2009 – Elena – “The Balkan Girls” – 19th – 40 points
• 2010 – Paula Seling and Ovi – “Playing with Fire” – 3rd – 162 points
• 2011 – Hotel FM – “Change” – 17th – 77 points
• 2012 – Mandinga – “Zaleilah” – 12th – 71 points
• 2013 – Cezar – “It’s My Life” – 13th – 65 points
• 2014 – Paula Seling and Ovi – “Miracle” – 12th – 72 points
• 2015 – Voltaj – “De la capăt” – 15th – 35 points
• 2016 – Ovidiu Anton – “Moment of Silence” – Disqualified due to debts to EBU
• 2017 – Ilinca feat. Alex Florea – “Yodel It!” – 7th – 282 points
• 2018 – The Humans – “Goodbye” – 11th in Semi-Final – 107 points
• 2019 – Ester Peony – “On a Sunday” – 13th in Semi-Final – 71 points
• 2020 – Roxen – “Alcohol You” – Contest canceled due to COVID-19
• 2021 – Roxen – “Amnesia” – 12th in Semi-Final – 85 points
• 2022 – Wrs – “Llámame” – 18th – 65 points
• 2023 – Theodor Andrei – “D.G.T. (Off and On)” – 15th in Semi-Final – 0 points
• 2026 – Alexandra Căpitănescu – “Choke Me” – 3rd – 296 points

Romania’s absences from Eurovision

Romania opted to withdraw from competing in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023 due to cost pressures at the broadcaster. TVR’s official statement confirming Romania’s withdrawal from Eurovision stated that the broadcaster has other financial priorities for 2024. These include broadcasting the Summer Olympic Games, as well as modernisation projects within the news department and investing in a new headquarters.

Due to these additional costs, TVR says that they are “forced to postpone the participation in the Eurovision Song Contest for a future edition.” TVR announced its return to the 2026 contest, noting that “we need to change on our part to have a more competitive selection process and a show commensurate with the scope of the contest, so as to consistently increase the quality of our presence in the final stage.”

Romania and other Eurovision family events

Romania has competed in three of the Eurovision family of events and hosted the 2006 Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Bucharest, this was the first time TVR had hosted an EBU organised contest.

Eurovision Young Dancers

Romania participated twice in Eurovision Young Dancers, the country made its debut in 2003, where Ovidiu Matei Iancu finished 2nd in the classical category. Romania competed again in 2005 represented by Robert Stefan Enache, they qualified for the final but placed outside the top three. Romania intended to return to the contest in 2009, however, the competition was canceled. TVR also broadcast the 1995 contest without competing.

Eurovision Young Musicians

Romania competed in Eurovision Young Musicians five times, making its debut in 2002 and last competing in 2010. Their results were as follows:

• 2002 – Cristian Andrei Fatou (Violin) – Did not qualify for the final
• 2004 – Diana Elena Jipa (Cello) – Did not qualify final
• 2006 – Alina Elena Bercu (Piano) – Finalist
• 2008 – Stefan Besan (Violin) – Did not qualify for the final
• 2010 – Ştefan Cazacu (Cello) – Did not qualify for the final

TVR also aired the 1990 contest for viewers without competing.

Junior Eurovision Song Contest

Romania was among the sixteen countries to compete in the first edition of Junior Eurovision, the country competed annually up until the 2009 contest in Kyiv, Ukraine. The results of Romania in the contest are:

• 2003 – Bubu – “Tobele sunt viața mea” – 10th – 35 points
• 2004 – Noni Răzvan Ene – “Îți mulțumesc” – 4th – 123 points
• 2005 – Alina Eremia – “Țurai!” – 5th – 89 points
• 2006 – New Star Music – “Povestea mea” – 6th – 80 points
• 2007 – 4Kids – “Sha-la-la” – 10th – 54 points
• 2008 – Mădălina and Andrada – “Salvați planeta” – 9th – 58 points
• 2009 – Ioana Anuța – “Ai puterea în mâna ta” – 13th – 19 points

Romania & Other European Broadcasting Union Competitions

Let the Peoples Sing

The contest was first held in 1961 by the BBC as an annual choral contest for choirs in the United Kingdom, since 1966 it has been a choral competition for choirs across Europe. Since the late 1970s, the European Broadcasting Union has organised the event with choirs allowed to compete from across the globe.

Romania’s history in the contest is:

• 2015 – Romanian Radio Children’s Choir – Finalist in the Children / Youth Category

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During the history of the Eurovision Song Contest and Eurovision family of events over fifty countries have competed, but there are more countries eligible or interested in participating. Find out more here.