A residence permit in Romania is a temporary resident status, under which you can legally reside in the country for an appropriate period (usually up to a year with the possibility of re-registration), work, study, do business, use the services of public institutions. The peculiarities of granting a residence permit are regulated by the national law “On the regime of foreigners”.

The Romanian government pursues a loyal immigration policy, offering a large number of options for obtaining a residence permit, for example, through employment, study at a university, professional or commercial activity. The status is granted only to law-abiding foreigners who meet the requirements of immigration law.

Having a Romanian residence permit gives foreigners the right to apply for permanent residence in the future and then for citizenship. However, there is an easier and faster way to obtain a Romanian passport – repatriation. Accompanied by Relocation Compass migration lawyers, you can become a citizen of the European Union in just 6-14 months, bypassing the stages of registration of residence permit and permanent residence, as well as keeping your current passport.

What does the Romanian residence permit give?

A temporary resident of Romania has the following privileges:

• residence in the country for up to 12 months with the right to extend this period;
• residence permit for spouse and children;
• the right to social protection by the state on equal terms with the citizens of the country;
• opening of accounts in reliable European banks with access to international transfers;
• the prospect of further obtaining the status of permanent resident and citizenship of an EU country;
• registration and development of a commercial enterprise within the single market of Europe with free movement of goods and services.

What are the ways of obtaining a residence permit in Romania?

Those who meet the following requirements can apply for temporary resident status in Romania:

• being law-abiding;
• a reason to live in the country for a long period of time in accordance with the Law on the Treatment of Foreigners;
• sufficient financial security to cover basic needs in the amount not less than the minimum wage, unless otherwise provided by law;
• absence of a ban on entry to Schengen countries.

Naturalization in general provides for 5 years of residence with residence permit and 3 years with permanent residence permit, i.e., after eight years of total legal stay in the country one can become a Romanian citizen. Sometimes the period of residence to apply for citizenship is reduced, for example, to 5 years for Romanian spouses or to 4 years – when investing from a million euros in the local economy.

The most popular reasons for requesting a residence permit in Romania are listed below.

Employment

Temporary resident status in Romania is granted to those who come under a work contract with a private or public organization. Employment of foreigners is restricted: for most professions it is necessary to obtain a permit from the General Immigration Inspectorate. The authorities check whether there are no candidates for the vacancy from among the citizens of the country or other EU states, which are given priority. A residence permit is granted if the salary equals or exceeds the minimum wage – from about 740 EUR as of 2024.

The residence permit can also be issued to employees of international companies who will perform work in the Romanian branch according to an official internal transfer. The right of residence is also available to seconded employees. The relevant work contract must be attached to the general file. They are allowed to stay in the country as long as the contract is valid or for a year with the right to extend it.

Highly qualified specialists with work experience in their profession and a specialized diploma can apply for the EU Blue Card – a special category of residence permit with the right to family immigration and a maximum period of validity of 27 months. To apply for a residence permit, you will also need to provide a work contract with information that the salary is between two average salaries in the state before tax deductions.

Business

Special Decree No. 44/2008 “On the conduct of economic activities by authorized individuals, sole proprietorships and family businesses” determines the right of foreigners to start a business in Romania and obtain a temporary resident card. The law does not limit immigrants in the choice of industry, the main thing is that the company should work in the field of turnover of goods and services. Example – opening a store, a company in the field of agriculture, light or heavy industry.

The duration of the residence permit is up to 12 months with the right to re-issue it. To request it, you will need to provide documents confirming the registration of the business in Romania.

Investment

Romania grants residence permits to those who are ready to invest from 100-150 thousand EUR in the development of business environment. The fact of investment is not enough: it is necessary to have an appropriate investment plan and get its approval from the relevant authority. You can invest in your own company or become a shareholder of a Romanian or international enterprise. It is also necessary to organize new jobs for the residents of the country – from 10 to 15 depending on the form of business ownership. Fulfillment of these conditions must be proved by documents.

When buying real estate in Romania, a residence permit is not granted. However, there is an opportunity to invest the above amount in a residential or commercial facility that is necessary for business development, for example, in the organization of headquarters or arrangement of production facilities. In case of investment in the economy over 1 000 000 EUR, you can immediately qualify for a permanent resident card – PRC. Thanks to this, the term of naturalization in the state is halved – up to 4 years instead of 8 years in the usual order.

Education

Students of Romanian universities, participants of international student exchange programs and trainees who come to the country under an appropriate contract, for example with a research institute, are eligible for temporary residence. An important condition is that the education must be received in any licensed institution of medium or higher accreditation.

In order to obtain a residence permit, it is necessary to obtain a certificate of enrollment in the university or its equivalent, to pay a minimum fee for the first academic year, as well as to take care of the availability of a place to live, for example, to sign an agreement on renting an apartment. If the student is under 18 years of age, he or she must also obtain written permission from parents to immigrate. The residence permit is valid for a standard period of up to one year with the right to renew. Student type of residence permit does not give the right to apply for permanent residence permit and, accordingly, citizenship.

Family reunion

Foreigners in the status of temporary or permanent residents of Romania can apply for family reunification. A residence permit for up to 12 months with the right to extend is possible for children under 18 years of age and legal spouses with documentary proof of kinship or family union. Sometimes requests are also approved for reunification with other relatives, for example, if they require constant care. A family member residing in Romania under residence permit or permanent residence permit must document that he/she can financially support the invited foreigners and provide them with a place to stay.

Romanian citizens have more rights when reuniting with family members. In addition to children and spouses, they can invite their parents – their own or their spouses – regardless of their age. The obligations of financial security, proof of kinship and provision of living space remain in any case. Those who are married to a Romanian passport holder can apply for citizenship in an accelerated procedure – 5 years after the move instead of the standard eight-year period.

Professional activity

A residence permit in Romania with a validity period of up to one year is issued to self-employed persons who plan to engage in licensed professional activities in the country from the list of free professions. Examples of such professions are tax consultant, psychologist, licensed translator, accountant.

Beforehand, the foreigner obtains an authorization for the activity from the National Agency for Financial Administration. The authorized body verifies that the conditions for practicing the profession are met. Obtaining the resident status implies confirmation that the applicant has worked in the relevant profession in the country of permanent residence.

Scientific research

Scientific research institutions in Romania have the right to invite foreigners to perform works on their profile. Candidates with relevant experience and education are selected and documented. The invited party first requests authorization from the National Authority for Scientific Research, and if approved, a working contract is concluded, which allows the foreigner to obtain a residence permit for a year with subsequent re-registration.

Religious activities

Foreign representatives of churches that are officially recognized in Romania can apply for a standard residence permit after inviting a local religious organization. First, the foreigner will need to obtain written approval from the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs. At the same time, the foreigner must have the means for self-support in the amount of 3 average monthly salaries, i.e., about 3000 EUR. Also, the foreigner provides documents about the place of accommodation in Romania, e.g., a real estate rental contract.

It is faster and easier to move to Romania, already having a passport of this country. The second citizenship can be granted without prior residence in the state, passing a written language exam and special conditions, for example, demonstration of income level. You can analyze the chances of participating in the simplified program during a free consultation with a Relocation Compass specialized lawyer.

How to obtain Romanian residence permit

The process of obtaining a residence permit in Romania involves several sequential steps that must be completed in compliance with legal requirements. Let’s explore them in detail.

1. Prepare the documents and make an appointment at the diplomatic mission.
   It is necessary to collect the required dossier according to the basis for the residence status, and then make an appointment at the nearest Romanian consulate or embassy in the place of residence.
2. Visit the authorized body and apply for a long-term visa.
   On the appointed day, visit the diplomatic mission and apply for a D category entry permit. The long-term visa is issued on the same basis on which the temporary resident card will be issued later. The time period for processing the application is 60 days.
3. Move to Romania and visit the migration authority.
   The long-term visa is valid for 3 months, during which time it is necessary to cross the Romanian border with a D visa and register at the place of stay. At least 30 days before the entry permit is canceled, you should visit the territorial office of the General Inspectorate for Immigration to obtain a residence permit. The procedure involves submitting documents, being photographed and fingerprinted.
4. Waiting for and receiving a temporary resident card.
   The application for a residence permit is considered by the state body within one month from the date of registration of the application. The period may be extended for another 15 days if additional information or documents are required. Upon approval, the applicant is provided with a resident card, which certifies his/her identity on the territory of Romania. The document is usually valid for up to 12 months and can be re-issued by re-applying to the General Inspectorate for Immigration.

What documents are required

To start the process of immigration to Romania, the required dossier should be assembled according to the basis. It includes basic documents and additional documents that depend on the purpose of the move, such as company registration documents or a letter of invitation from a recognized church organization.

Documents issued outside Romania are subject to an official translation into Romanian, which should be notarized. The dossier is first submitted to the Romanian diplomatic mission in the country of permanent residence (for obtaining a national visa), later – to the General Inspectorate of Internal Affairs for Immigration. In addition, you will be required to fill in a standardized questionnaire (in Romanian) and signatures.

The basic list of documents for a Romanian residence permit is as follows:

• a foreign travel passport or its equivalent, valid for at least 6 months longer than the date of request submission;
• EU health insurance policy issued before entering the country;
• proof of financial security, e.g., a work contract indicating the level of salary;
• a receipt of the administrative fee for the relevant service (visa/residence permit);
• a criminal record certificate issued in the applicant’s country of citizenship;
• proof of the grounds for moving to Romania according to the law.

Residence permit for a family

Most types of residence permits in Romania do not entitle the applicant to move to the country immediately with family members. The holder of a residence card can request reunification with husband/wife and close relatives after immigration, provided that the relevant conditions are met (sufficient income, availability of living space for joint residence).

There are exceptions, for example, there is a possibility to obtain a residence permit through the opening of a company and specify the owners of several family members – this will allow each of them to claim the status of temporary resident at once. The right to family immigration is also granted by the EU Blue Card. Holders of this type of residence permit can immediately move to Romania with family members – spouse, minor and unmarried children.

How to extend a residence permit

The Romanian residence permit is usually valid for up to 12 months and can be extended if the reason for staying in the country is maintained. A request to renew the document must be submitted at least one month before the current residence card is canceled. The application must be made in person at the Inspectorate General of Immigration at the place of registration and the relevant package of documents must be submitted.

In addition to having a basis for residence in the country, the main conditions for renewal of the temporary residence permit are the presence of a valid passport, health insurance policy and ownership of real estate in Romania (bought or rented). The residence permit is re-granted for a period of 1 to 5 years. After 60 months of legal residence in the country, it is possible to apply for a Permanent Resident Card (PRC) if you have housing, means of subsistence, health insurance and no criminal record.

Refusal in issuance or prolongation

A request for a residence permit may be rejected if the applicant has been found to have connections with banned criminal organizations, has previously violated migration laws or has been banned from visiting EU/Schengen countries. Those who do not meet at least one of the conditions set forth by the immigration legislation are also rejected. Requests are rejected if they provide incomplete or false information about themselves, submit false documents or if any of the components of the dossier are missing. Those who have diseases that are dangerous for the society are also rejected.

The easiest way to move to Romania is to obtain a passport through a simplified procedure. With the assistance of Relocation Compass specialized lawyers, you can become an EU citizen within 12 months and ensure not only the right to live in Romania, but also many other benefits, including visa-free travel to more than 160 countries around the world.