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Obtaining a Romanian Residence Permit

Obtaining a Romanian Residence Permit

The laws existing in Romania regarding the right of Non-EU/EEA citizens to stay and work in Romania are similiar to most European Union member states’ legislation. Non-EU citizens need to obtain documents such as: a work permit, a long-stay visa and a stay permit to be able to legally work in the country. The Romanian Employer is the one that has to make the first step in order for a foreigner to be able to stay and work in Romania. He should submit a request together with supporting documents with the General Office for Immigration.

 Quick Facts  
Temporary residence permit types  They can be issued for: employment, study, family reunification, business/investment, etc.  

 Time needed to obtain the temporary residence permit (approx.)

 30-45 days and up to maximum 90 days

Temporary residence permit validity 

 Validity can vary based on the type of permit, but in general, they are valid for a period of 12 months (renewal is possible for the same period of time).  

Documents for obtaining temporary residence 

 Obtaining a Romanian residence permit is bound by the submission of the following documents:

– a valid identity document (the passport);

– a valid health insurance, recognized in Romania for the entire duration of stay;

– evidence on the residential address where the applicant will live;

– a valid visa, issued in accordance with the purpose of the residence permit (for non-EU, non-EEA nationals). 

Mandatory registrations with state authorities (i.e. with the population/municipality register) 

With the General Inspectorate for Immigration 

Dependents can join the temporary permit holder (Yes/No) 

 No (exemptions can apply)

Temporary or permanent residency for investment purposes 

 Obtaining a Romanian residence permit for investment is possible for both temporary and permanent residency. 

Type of investments available for residency purposes 

Investors can develop a wide range of activities, approved by the Ministry of Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises and Business Environment.  

Minimum investment amount 

– minimum EUR 150,000 (or the creation of at least 25 jobs);

– minimum EUR 200,000 (or at least 50 jobs);

– minimum EUR 500,000 (or at least 50 full-time jobs).  

Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence   Obtaining a Romanian residence permit issued on a permanent basis is possible after 5 years of stay.  
Residency for individuals married to a citizen of the country 

–  temporary: 1 to 5 years;

– permanent: after 5 years of stay. 

Documents for obtaining permanent residence 

 – the completed application form;

– valid identity card/valid passport;

– the registration certificate;

– the residence card;

– documents attesting the applicant meets the criteria for the issuance of permanent residence (they vary based on the purpose of arrival: employment, family reunification, business, etc.);

– the payment of processing fees  (RON 67).

Naturalization requirements 

 Citizenship by naturalization can occur in the following situations:

– a child has been born on the Romanian territory and he/she resides in Romania;

– a foreigner has been living in Romania for 8 years (and, therefore, has acquired permanent residency);

– a foreigner has been legally married to a Romanian citizen for minimum 5 years.  

Citizenship after permanent residence 

 The citizenship procedure can be initiated 3 years after a foreigner has obtained a permanent residency certificate. 

 Dual citizenship permitted (Yes/No)  Yes 

It is also the Employer’s obligation to comply with a series of general and special conditions such as: he must prove that he could not find a Romanian or EU citizen to fill in the position; that the foreigner has the necessary qualifications for the position etc. The application for the work permit is settled within 30 days from its registration. Should additional verifications be necessary, the interval may be extended by up to 15 days.

Persons who do not need a Romanian work permit

There are some categories of foreigners who do not need a work permit in order to work in Romania such as:

– those who hold a right to permanent stay in Romania,
– those who are asylum seekers,
– those who are appointed head of a branch, representation or subsidiary in Romania of a company that is based abroad,
– those who  are to perform in Romania temporary activities required by ministries or other institutions of the central public or local administration or by autonomous administrative authorities; and a few others.

Migration numbers are slightly increasing in Romania from one year to another. For instance, in 2017, 11,000 persons received a permit that allowed them to stay here for more than 12 months. In 2018, 12,000 persons received the right to live in Romania for more than 1 year. In comparison, in 2021, Romania issued 23,000 residence permits with a validity longer than 12 months, therefore showing an increasing interest of foreigners for relocating here, a trend that will be maintained in 2024 as well.

It must be noted that in 2022, Romania issued around 12,000 residence permits for asylum seekers, marking an increase of 33% compared to the previous year. It is also important to know that the majority of residence permits are issued for employment purposes, especially considering the workforce shortage experienced by this country in certain economic sectors. The same is true for 2024. You can rely on our lawyers if you are interested in obtaining a residence permit for employment purposes (for skilled/unskilled work).

We invite you to watch a short video on residency in Romania:

Obtaining long-term residence in Romania

Apart from a work permit a Non EU / EEA citizen should also obtain a a long-term residence permit, which is valid for 10 years if you are family member of a Romanian citizen and 5 years if you have your residence in Romania regulated for other lawful purposes.

Also obtaining a long-stay visa which permits the foreigner to stay in Romania for 90 days with the possibility of renewal is required. Citizens of the Member States of the European Union or the European Economic Area (Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein) and of the Swiss Confederation can apply to the Ministry of Internal Affairs – General Inspectorate for Immigration for the extension of their right of temporary stay and for residence permits without holding a long-stay visa.

The legislation for obtaining a work permit, a long-stay visa or a long-term residence is continuosly changing as it adapts to modern immigration needs so before applying for such permits one should consult lawyers or other specialists in immigration matters.

Revoked long-term residency in Romanian in 2024

If you are planning to obtain a long-term residence permit in Romania in 2024, you must know that you can also lose this right, provided that one of the following situations occur: if the document is revoked, if you have obtained long-term residency in another state, if you left Romania for more than 12 consecutive months (except for the case in which you have received temporary residency in another EU state), if you were absent from Romania for more than 6 consecutive years or if you have obtained Romanian citizenship.

If, in 2024, you are married to a Romanian citizen, you can apply for a residence permit based on this connection to Romania. According to the Romanian General Inspectorate for Immigration, the couple must prepare a set of documents.

Thus, if you will apply for a residence permit in 2024, you must prepare the application form, the passport or other document that grants the right to entry on the Romanian territory, the identity documentation of the Romanian citizen.

Besides these, you have to present the certificate of marriage that was issued by the Romanian institutions or, if the marriage occurred elsewhere, a certified translation of the respective certificate issued by the authorities of another country.