Romania Visa and Immigration Guide

Understand your legal options for living in Romania โ€” from EU free movement to the digital nomad visa, work permits, and citizenship.

Important update: Romania became a full Schengen member on January 1, 2024. For non-EU nationals, time spent in Romania now counts toward your 90/180-day Schengen quota. Plan accordingly.

Which Visa Do You Need?

Your options depend on your citizenship and reason for moving. Find your situation below.

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ

EU Free Movement

EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens

Citizens of EU, EEA member states and Switzerland can live and work in Romania indefinitely without a visa or permit. This is the simplest case.

Processing Time

1 day (same-day at the office)

Cost

Free

Who It Is For

EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens

Key Facts

  • โ†’Enter Romania freely โ€” no border controls for EU citizens within the Schengen Area.
  • โ†’Stay for up to 3 months with just your passport or national ID.
  • โ†’After 3 months, register your residence at the local evidenศ›a populaศ›iei office.
  • โ†’You receive a certificat de รฎnregistrare (registration certificate) valid for 5 years.
  • โ†’No work permit required โ€” you can work, run a business, or freelance freely.
  • โ†’After 5 years of continuous residence, you qualify for permanent residency.
  • โ†’After 8 years total (5 years permanent residency), you can apply for citizenship.

Documents Required

  • โœ“Valid EU/EEA passport or national ID
  • โœ“Proof of accommodation (rental contract or property ownership)
  • โœ“Proof of sufficient means (employment contract, business registration, or bank statement)
  • โœ“Two passport photos
  • โœ“Completed registration form (available at the office)
๐Ÿ’ผ

Work Visa (D/CM)

Non-EU Citizens

Non-EU citizens who have secured employment with a Romanian company can apply for a long-stay work visa (Type D). The employer must sponsor the application.

Processing Time

4-8 weeks

Cost

โ‚ฌ120 consular fee + IGI residence permit fee (210 RON)

Who It Is For

Non-EU Citizens

Key Facts

  • โ†’Your Romanian employer must first obtain a work permit from the Inspectoratul General pentru Imigrฤƒri (IGI).
  • โ†’The permit is approved based on labor market quotas (Romania sets annual limits).
  • โ†’Once the work permit is approved, you apply for a D/CM visa at the Romanian embassy in your country.
  • โ†’The initial visa is valid for 90 days and allows you to enter Romania.
  • โ†’Within 30 days of arrival, you must apply for a residence permit at the IGI.
  • โ†’The residence permit is valid for 1 year initially, renewable annually.
  • โ†’After 5 years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for permanent residency.

Documents Required

  • โœ“Valid passport (6+ months validity)
  • โœ“Visa application form
  • โœ“Employment contract or letter of intent from Romanian employer
  • โœ“Work permit issued by IGI (arranged by employer)
  • โœ“Proof of accommodation in Romania
  • โœ“Proof of health insurance
  • โœ“Criminal background check from your home country (apostilled)
  • โœ“Consular fee (~โ‚ฌ120)
๐Ÿ’ป

Digital Nomad Visa

Remote Workers

Romania introduced a dedicated digital nomad visa in 2021 (Law 22/2022). It allows non-EU nationals who work remotely for foreign companies to live legally in Romania for up to 12 months.

Processing Time

4-6 weeks at embassy

Cost

~โ‚ฌ120 visa fee + 210 RON residence permit

Who It Is For

Remote Workers

Key Facts

  • โ†’Designed for remote workers employed by companies registered outside Romania, or freelancers with foreign clients.
  • โ†’Valid for 12 months, non-renewable โ€” you must leave and re-apply (or switch to another status).
  • โ†’Income requirement: minimum 3x the average gross salary in Romania โ€” currently approximately โ‚ฌ3,300/month gross.
  • โ†’You cannot work for Romanian companies or clients on this visa.
  • โ†’Romania joined Schengen in January 2024, which affects the 90/180-day count for this visa.
  • โ†’Apply at the Romanian embassy or consulate in your home country.
  • โ†’Once in Romania, apply for a residence permit at the local IGI within 30 days.

Documents Required

  • โœ“Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond intended stay
  • โœ“Proof of remote employment: employment contract with foreign company OR freelance contracts with foreign clients
  • โœ“Proof of income: 3 months of payslips or invoices showing โ‚ฌ3,300+/month
  • โœ“Bank statements showing sufficient funds
  • โœ“Proof of health insurance valid in Romania
  • โœ“Proof of accommodation (rental contract)
  • โœ“Criminal background check from home country
  • โœ“Visa application fee
๐Ÿข

Business / Investment Visa

Business Owners

Non-EU nationals who set up or invest in a Romanian company (SRL) can obtain a business visa. This is a popular route for entrepreneurs who want long-term residency.

Processing Time

4-8 weeks (plus 5-7 days for company registration)

Cost

~โ‚ฌ120 visa fee + SRL registration costs (~โ‚ฌ200-400)

Who It Is For

Business Owners

Key Facts

  • โ†’Register an SRL (Romanian limited company) with the Trade Register (Registrul Comerศ›ului).
  • โ†’The company must have a minimum share capital (currently just 200 RON) and a registered address.
  • โ†’Apply for a Type D/Afaceri (business) visa at the Romanian embassy in your home country.
  • โ†’You must demonstrate the business is active and viable.
  • โ†’Residence permit is issued for 1 year, renewable based on continued business activity.
  • โ†’Setting up an SRL typically costs 1,000-2,000 RON with a lawyer or notary.

Documents Required

  • โœ“Certificate of company registration from Romanian Trade Register
  • โœ“Company articles of association
  • โœ“Proof of share capital deposit
  • โœ“Business plan demonstrating economic activity
  • โœ“Passport photos
  • โœ“Proof of accommodation
๐ŸŽ“

Student Visa

Students

Non-EU students accepted to a Romanian accredited university can apply for a student visa. Romania has strong universities in medicine, engineering, and the arts.

Processing Time

3-6 weeks

Cost

โ‚ฌ60-120 visa fee

Who It Is For

Students

Key Facts

  • โ†’Must have an acceptance letter from a Romanian accredited university (acreditatฤƒ ARACIS).
  • โ†’Initial student visa (Type D/SD) allows entry and is valid for 90 days.
  • โ†’Convert to a student residence permit at IGI within 30 days of arrival.
  • โ†’Permit is renewed annually based on academic enrollment.
  • โ†’Part-time work (up to 4 hours/day) is allowed with a student permit.
  • โ†’Popular destinations for international students: Iaศ™i (medicine), Cluj-Napoca (engineering, IT), Bucharest (arts, economics).

Documents Required

  • โœ“University acceptance letter
  • โœ“Proof of tuition payment or scholarship
  • โœ“Proof of accommodation (student dormitory or rental contract)
  • โœ“Sufficient funds for living expenses
  • โœ“Health insurance valid in Romania
  • โœ“Criminal background check
๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง

Family Reunification

Family of Residents

Spouses and minor children of Romanian citizens or legal residents can apply for a family reunification permit, regardless of their own nationality.

Processing Time

3-6 months

Cost

210 RON residence permit fee

Who It Is For

Family of Residents

Key Facts

  • โ†’The sponsor (Romanian citizen or legal resident) must have had legal residence for at least 1 year.
  • โ†’Sponsor must demonstrate stable income and adequate accommodation.
  • โ†’Children under 18 are included automatically in family reunification applications.
  • โ†’Spouses of Romanian citizens can apply for a 5-year renewable residence permit.
  • โ†’After 5 years, eligible for permanent residency.
  • โ†’Spouses of Romanian citizens also have an accelerated path to citizenship (5 years instead of 8).

Documents Required

  • โœ“Marriage certificate or birth certificate (apostilled and translated)
  • โœ“Sponsor's residence permit or Romanian ID/passport
  • โœ“Proof of accommodation large enough for the family
  • โœ“Sponsor's proof of income
  • โœ“Both partners' passports
๐Ÿ“‹

Long-Term Residence Permit

After 5 Years

After 5 consecutive years of legal residence in Romania, non-EU nationals can apply for a permanent (long-term) EU residence permit, which allows them to live and work in Romania indefinitely.

Processing Time

3-6 months

Cost

210 RON

Who It Is For

After 5 Years

Key Facts

  • โ†’Requires 5 years of continuous legal residence โ€” short absences allowed (no more than 10 consecutive months or 18 months total).
  • โ†’The long-term permit is an EU standard permit, valid across all EU member states.
  • โ†’No longer tied to employment or specific visa category.
  • โ†’Automatically includes family members living in Romania.
  • โ†’Renewable every 5 years.
  • โ†’Brings you close to citizenship eligibility.

Documents Required

  • โœ“5 years of consecutive residence permits
  • โœ“Proof of continuous residence (utility bills, employment records, tax records)
  • โœ“Proof of stable income
  • โœ“Romanian language certificate (level A2 minimum) or proof of integration
  • โœ“No significant criminal record
  • โœ“Proof of health insurance
๐Ÿ›‚

Path to Citizenship

Long-Term Residents

Romania allows foreigners to apply for citizenship after 8 years of legal residence (5 years for spouses of Romanian citizens). Romanian citizenship gives full EU citizenship rights.

Processing Time

12-24 months

Cost

Several hundred RON in fees

Who It Is For

Long-Term Residents

Key Facts

  • โ†’Standard path: 8 years of legal residence, including 5 years of continuous permanent residency.
  • โ†’Shortened path: 5 years if married to a Romanian citizen.
  • โ†’Reduced path: 4 years for refugees recognized in Romania.
  • โ†’Romania does NOT require you to renounce your previous citizenship โ€” dual citizenship is allowed.
  • โ†’Must demonstrate knowledge of Romanian language and culture.
  • โ†’Must demonstrate knowledge of the Romanian Constitution and civic rights.
  • โ†’Applications are processed by the Autoritatea Naศ›ionalฤƒ pentru Cetฤƒศ›enie (ANC).
  • โ†’Processing can take 12-24 months.

Documents Required

  • โœ“8 years of legal residence (or 5 for spouse of Romanian citizen)
  • โœ“Proof of renouncing previous citizenship NOT required
  • โœ“Romanian language certificate
  • โœ“Clean criminal record (from Romania and home country)
  • โœ“Proof of integration and ties to Romania
  • โœ“Application fee (several hundred RON)

Useful Immigration Contacts

IGI โ€” Inspectoratul General pentru Imigrฤƒri

Main immigration authority for non-EU nationals.

igi.mai.gov.ro

ANC โ€” Autoritatea Naศ›ionalฤƒ pentru Cetฤƒศ›enie

Citizenship applications and processing.

cetatenie.just.ro

ANAF โ€” Tax Authority

Tax registration, CNP for foreigners, fiscal matters.

anaf.ro

Evidenศ›a Populaศ›iei

Residence registration for EU nationals.

Find your local office via primaria (city hall) website

Need an Immigration Contact?

If your case is complicated or you want a referral to a Romanian immigration lawyer or relocation consultant, send a short summary of your situation.

Email for HelpOpen Contact Form

Some referrals may be commercial partnerships. Recommendations should still be checked against your own needs.