It is possible to move to Romania by employment, by investing or opening a business, by studying, for family or humanitarian reasons. Also, to settle in the country quite easily can persons who have a passport of any other EU country. The main advantage of moving to Romania for permanent residence is in the prospect of improving the standard of living and opportunities due to the country’s membership in the EU and Schengen zone.

A Romanian permanent residence permit is a document that can be issued after five years of residence with a temporary residence permit obtained on one of the legal grounds. The applicant will need to prove knowledge of the national language by passing a special test, obtain a local residence permit and health insurance policy. Permanent residence is granted only to those who do not pose a threat to the security of the country and have a stable legal source of income in the amount of 750 EUR per month as of 2024. Romanian citizenship by naturalization is issued after 5-8 years of legal residence in the country.

In Romania there is a program of quick citizenship obtainment without the need to obtain a permanent residence and live in the country for a long time. Thanks to this program it is possible to obtain a passport of this EU country in 6-14 months. Detailed information is provided by Relocation Compass specialized lawyers at a free consultation.

Benefits of immigration

The advantages of moving to Romania include affordable living costs. Approximate expenses per person per month here are about 600 EUR excluding housing costs, which is cheaper than in most other EU countries. Real estate rental prices are also affordable – on average 300-400 EUR for renting a one-room apartment. At the same time, Romania is a member of the EU, so the generally accepted norms of democracy and protection of civil rights are observed here, there is a ban on discrimination, including nationality. Also the advantages of immigration include:

• Favorable geographical location.
  The state is located on the Black Sea coast and has many mountain ranges, a pleasant temperate continental climate, an abundance of natural protected areas and cultural sites.
• Developed infrastructure.
  Romania’s major cities have everything necessary for comfortable living – from educational and entertainment facilities to well-established logistics. There are 16 international airports, a large highway network, and a trans-European river connection along the Rhine-Danube route.
• Business prospects.
  Romania is a popular tourist destination, so foreign entrepreneurs have chances to get good profits from a company in the service industry, entertainment, logistics, sale of related goods.
• Loyal tax legislation.
  The rates of compulsory contributions in Romania are among the lowest in the European Union. For example, personal income tax is capped at 33%, depending on salary level, compared to the 45-55% upper limit in Western European countries.
• Personal and public safety.
  Life in Romania is quiet and measured, the political environment is stable, and the security index according to Numbeo’s rating is 67 points, i.e., high.

How to move to Romania for permanent residence

Moving to Romania for permanent residence involves several steps, each requiring careful preparation and compliance with legal regulations. Let’s take a closer look at the main stages of this process.

1. Finding the basis for moving to the country and collecting documents.
   It is necessary to familiarize yourself with the options available for immigration to Romania and choose a suitable one. Specialized lawyers can help with the selection of the basis and preparation of the relevant dossier.
2. Opening a visa of D category.
   The national long-term visa is issued according to the basis for relocation and gives the right to request a residence permit upon arrival in Romania. The visa is issued at a diplomatic mission (consulate or embassy) within 2 months after submitting the relevant dossier and paying the administrative fee, and is valid for 90 days.
3. Moving to Romania and requesting a residence permit.
   With a long-term visa, the foreigner moves to Romania. It is necessary to request a residence permit at the General Inspectorate of Internal Affairs for Immigration at least one month before the expiration of the visa.
4. Renewal of the residence permit and processing of a permanent residence.
   Usually, a temporary residence card in Romania is issued for a maximum of 12 months. If the reason for staying in the country persists, it is possible to extend the residence permit by going through the procedure again at the General Inspectorate of Internal Affairs for Immigration. Registration of a permanent residence is available 5 years after the move, if the other requirements of the legislation are met. The procedure corresponds to the process of obtaining a residence permit.

It is quicker and easier to immigrate to Romania by obtaining a Romanian passport through the repatriation procedure. With the support of international law experts, the process takes up to 14 months and does not require the applicant to make a large investment or reside in the country. Please contact Relocation Compass specialists for more details.

Ways to immigrate to Romania

The general requirements that a foreigner must meet in order to move to Romania include:

• having a basis for immigration;
• preparation of the required dossier according to the purpose of the move and completion of the established procedures (fingerprinting, photographing);
• no criminal record, including foreign and home country convictions;
• registration of a health insurance policy;
• written parental consent for immigration for a minor child (e.g., when studying at a higher education institution);
• availability of financial means or a source of income in Romania for self-sufficiency.

The main documents for relocation are:

• a passport with validity of six months or more at the time of visa application;
• European medical insurance with coverage of 30,000 euros or more;
• proof of stable and legal income, e.g., bank statement or employment contract;
• receipt of payment of an administrative fee;
• proof of no criminal record;
• proof of eligibility for immigration on the basis of the grounds, e.g., a marriage certificate with a Romanian or an investment plan approved by the authorities.

The most popular ways to immigrate to Romania are listed below.

Business or investment

A residence permit for commercial activity is issued to those whose business plan is approved by the Romanian Center for Foreign Trade and Investment Promotion. The foreigner may be the owner of an organized enterprise, shareholder or managing representative. The minimum entry threshold is 100 thousand euros, depending on the form of ownership. It will also be necessary to create from 10 full-time jobs in the case of LLC, from 15 – for corporations.

To open a business in Romania is profitable due to the loyal taxation, for example, 1-3% of the levy for microenterprises from the total profit. The legislation does not regulate the scope of companies and forms of ownership for foreigners. The main thing is to provide the authorities with a convincing and detailed business plan with a forecast of financial activity for the next 3 years. Withdraw the invested funds or reduce the number of jobs is not possible, otherwise the residence permit will be canceled.

Work

It is possible to immigrate to Romania through employment in a local company. Depending on the type of activity, a foreigner may need to obtain a special work permit, which is issued in the event that no applicants from among the residents of the state or citizens of other EU countries responded to the specified vacancy. A work residence permit is also issued in the framework of an international transfer or a long business trip. The employment contract must specify a salary not lower than the national minimum wage, i.e., from 750 EUR in 2024. The applicant should also confirm the availability of a place to live in Romania.

Self-employed persons or those who provide individual services according to their specialty can also move to Romania. For example, a foreigner can organize a family business for the provision of goods or services or be a sportsman, artist. It is necessary to prove professional experience and education by documents. Romania also issues the EU Blue Card for highly qualified foreigners who are employed at a salary of 1.5 average in the chosen field.

Study or internship

Foreign students, interns, participants of international cultural exchange programs can apply for residency in Romania. At the time of application, the applicant must be enrolled in an accredited educational institution of any form of ownership and have paid at least the first year’s tuition fees. The foreigner will also need to prove knowledge of the language in which he/she will listen to the relevant courses, availability of means of subsistence (not less than the minimum salary for each month of stay) and place of residence in the state.

Foreign trainees provide the authorities with a vocational training contract stating the purpose, duration and schedule of planned activities. The applicant must also have finances for living and a diploma of graduation in the relevant specialty issued a maximum of 2 years before the start of the traineeship.

Family reunification

Close relatives of local citizens and residents have the possibility to move to Romania. Usually, reunification is approved for minor and unmarried children, legal spouses or de facto partners. As an exception, a residence permit may also be granted to other relatives, for example, if they are supported by the host country and need guardianship. Romanian citizens can also bring their parents – their own or their husband/wife’s – to live with them. Family ties between the parties are confirmed through civil status certificates.

Family reunification is possible if the receiving party is sufficiently provided for the maintenance of family members or relatives. It will also be necessary to prove the fact of having a living space (rented or own) to live together with the invited persons. Spouses of Romanian citizens are entitled to accelerated naturalization and can apply for a national passport 5 years after the issuance of the initial residence permit.

Refugees

Romania is among the European countries that have signed the Geneva Convention on the Rights of Refugees. The state provides protection to those who cannot reside in their home country due to discrimination of any kind – racial, religious, sexual, political. To confirm the fact of persecution in the country of permanent residence will require weighty evidence, for example, correspondence with threats, hospital discharges after an attack or open criminal proceedings under an article contrary to the norms of international law.

Refugees in Romania receive a residence permit in a simplified procedure, can count on social support, assistance with integration into society, paid accommodation. The procedure of registration of the status prohibits visiting the state of permanent residence, restricts the immigrant in movements around the country until a decision is made. Not every request is approved, which is left to the discretion of law enforcement and migration services. Refugees in Romania can obtain a passport 4 years after they have been granted international asylum.

EU citizenship

EU citizens have the right to move to Romania relatively easily: it is enough to register a new place of residence and apply for permanent residence. This category of immigrants has the right of accelerated naturalization – in 4 years instead of 8 standard years. EU passport holders are entitled to unlimited employment in Romania, business, enrollment in educational institutions, social support.

How to obtain a permanent residence in Romania

The status of permanent resident of Romania differs from the temporary one in that it does not require renewal (only the card itself is re-issued) and cannot be canceled due to the loss of the basis for residence in the country. It is possible to apply for permanent residence after 5 years from the moment of receiving the primary residence permit, provided that you know the national language and cultural peculiarities, you are law-abiding and have no criminal record, financial secured and have registration in the country. The procedure for requesting permanent residence in Romania is as follows:

1. Document preparation.
   It is necessary to collect a dossier of passport, residence permit card, health insurance, proof of rent or ownership of real estate, certificate of no criminal record and civil status certificates. The documents are submitted with copies, translated into Romanian and notarized. You must also pay an administrative fee of 14 EUR and fill in the application form.
2. Visit to the General Inspectorate of Internal Affairs for Immigration.
   The application for a residence permit should be submitted to the territorial representation of the authorized body or to the main office in Bucharest. They receive visitors by appointment. When submitting the request, the foreigner is interviewed to determine his/her language level.
3. Waiting for the result and approval of the permanent residence.
   The request for permanent resident status is considered within six months from the date of registration. The period may be extended by 3 months if additional information is required. If the application is approved, the foreigner is notified within 15 working days.
4. Obtaining the status of permanent resident.
   From the moment the decision is made, the applicant has one month to go to the relevant office of the migration service and pick up the permanent residence permit. The procedure requires personal presence.

If the request was denied, it is possible to appeal to the Bucharest court within one month. To extend or restore the Permanent Residence Card, the foreigner reapplies to the Migration Service. The permanent resident receives all the rights of Romanian citizens (access to work, study, social support, medicine, legal protection), except for participation in political life and work in public office. The foreigner must adhere to the norms of the law and not leave the state for more than 12 months, so that the permanent residence permit is not canceled.

Illegal stay

Violators of the Romanian migration legislation risk a fine of 120 to 240 EUR. In case of serious violations, such as leaving the country for a period exceeding the permitted period, the foreigner can be forcibly deported. After deportation the illegal immigrant is prohibited to re-enter the country, which may last from 1 to 5 years. The violator is also entered into the Schengen Information System as a persona non grata for visiting the Schengen area.

How to choose a city to move to

Choosing a city to relocate to in Romania depends on various factors, such as career opportunities, living standards, climate, and personal preferences. Let’s explore the main features of several popular cities.

• Bucharest.
  The capital of Romania is the main economic, cultural and political center of the country. It offers the best chances for successful employment and business development. The unemployment rate in the capital is about half as low as in other cities. At the same time, the prices for living and renting real estate here are also the highest, so Bucharest is suitable for immigrants who are able to provide for themselves financially.
• Constanza.
  Romania’s largest seaport and one of the main tourist resorts. It attracts those who want to live on a warm coast with long beaches, healthy mineral springs and a pleasant climate. The economy of Constanza is based on shipping and fishing, service and entertainment industry, leather industry. Those who have a remote or passive income often move here.
• Brasov.
  The largest city in Transylvania will appeal to those who want to live in the atmosphere of old Europe, surrounded by mountain ranges with clean air and excellent ecology. Life in Brasov is quiet and measured, and there is an opportunity to work in engineering, chemical or heavy industry.

Moving to Romania: what to pay attention to

If you move to Romania, you should learn the language at least at A2 level in order to communicate with locals and find a job. The unemployment rate in the country is quite high, so you should look for a job in advance or take care of other sources of income. The recommended minimum salary is 1000 EUR for each family member, which is enough to cover living needs and rent. You can become a tax resident of the country and pay taxes at favorable rates, which is especially interesting for businessmen.

The real estate market in Romania is limited in supply, so it is better to rent an apartment before moving. Foreigners can buy real estate without restrictions, and the average price per square meter is 1500-2000 EUR. In big cities the infrastructure is well developed, but in small towns it is better to have your own car. It is important to take out a health insurance policy before coming to the country, when moving by car – also have a “Green Card”.

Cost of moving

Immigrating to Romania is inexpensive when compared to other European countries. You will need to pay administrative fees, rent or buy housing, take out the required insurance, pay notary, translator and immigration specialists. The basic rates of state fees are presented in the table below.

Feedback from immigrants

Reviews of foreigners about moving to Romania are positive. The advantages include loyal migration rules, affordable living costs, low taxes, favorable environmental and climatic conditions. Foreigners like the calm mentality of the inhabitants, the low cost of medical services and education in universities, the possibility of later obtaining EU citizenship.

The disadvantages of life in Romania often include low salaries (on average – about 850 EUR after taxes), unemployment in small towns, high competition for highly paid positions. Many complain about the difficulty of learning Romanian language and lack of understanding when communicating with residents in English. Not everyone likes long naturalization – from 8 years from the moment of moving.

Assistance in relocation

For a comfortable immigration to Romania, you can conclude a cooperation agreement with Relocation Compass specialized lawyers. International law specialists prepare a personalized relocation plan based on the client’s needs and situation. Qualified support eliminates the risk of rejection of the request and simplifies bureaucratic procedures for the applicant.