The procedure to set up a travel agency in Romania is done in accordance with the national law for the incorporation of legal entities. Business forms involved in tourism activities must also hold adequate licenses, issued in accordance with their respective operations. Our law firm in Romania provides the necessary legal support during the incorporation of the company.
You can also rely on our attorneys in Romania for legal assistance and representation during the formalities for the issuance of the license required for your company. Of course, we also offer other legal services, as per the needs of your business (tax registration and compliance, accounting, business consulting, employment assistance, etc.).
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Basic incorporation formalities
In order to set up a travel agency in Romania, local and foreign businessmen have to complete certain basic legal requirements. First, they need to decide on a legal entity suitable for their business plans and budget, and then to establish a trade name that is unique at a national level. After they have decided on the business form, the company’s bylaws must be drawn.
For this procedure, it is recommended that you request the legal services of our lawyers in Romania, as they can provide advice on the provisions included in the documentation. The bylaws must be signed in front of a public notary (we can intermediate this procedure).
A legal entity incorporated in Romania must also have a local registered address and a local bank account, set up at any commercial bank.
The basic registration procedure is carried out through the services of the Romanian Trade Register (Oficiul National al Registrului Comertului), but tax registration is also necessary, in which case the entity must follow specific procedures with the National Agency for Fiscal Administration.
Considering the activity of the company, the approval of the Ministry of Tourism is also required, as this institution issues tourism licenses. Our Romanian lawyers can prepare the documentation required by law.
Licensing requirements
The process of obtaining a tourism license must be carried during the steps for company formation in Romania, prior to engaging in any economic activities. The legislation governing the issuance of tourism licenses is comprised of:
- The Order of the Ministry of Tourism No. 1.179/10 October 2018;
- The Ordinance no. 2 of 2 August 2018;
- The Resolution no. 1267 of 8 October 2018;
- The Order of the Ministry of Tourism no. 1.183/10 October 2018.
The issuance of the license varies based on the type of activity carried out by those who set up a travel agency in Romania. Our lawyers in Romania can provide personalized legal assistance in accordance with the type of operation you plan to engage in.
In order to obtain the proper license, the entity that needs the document must address the competent institution and submit the required paperwork. For this, it is necessary to fill in a standard form and to present the company’s bylaws.
Companies that will be registered as tour operators must make the evidence of their guarantee instrument (such as an insurance policy) through which the company can testify it can repay travel packages paid by clients provided that the tours wont be held due to various reasons, including insolvency.
Along with these, the applicant must add to the file the fiscal record certificate and the proof of registering the employees employment contracts with the General Registry of Employees.
Types of tourism companies in Romania
According to the law, tourism companies can develop 3 main types of operations:
- travel agency activities (NACE code 7911);
- tour operators activities (NACE code 7912);
- other reservation services and travel assistance (7990).
Employment aspects
Please mind that if you want to open a company in Romania in this sector it is legally required to hire employees that have the necessary qualifications. If you will start a business as a tour operator, through which your company will organize tours in Romania or overseas, you must hire individuals who are qualified as travel agents.
They must have appropriate certificates and/or must provide evidence on having relevant experience. There are many other requirements that must be met, therefore do not hesitate to contact our law firm in Romania for more details. We also invite you to address our team provided that you want to buy a property in Romania for your tourism business (we offer full support during the purchase formalities).