Residence Permit in Romania, Types, Requirements and Renewal
A residence permit in Romania depends on citizenship. An EU, EEA or Swiss citizen needs none and registers residence after 3 months. A non-EU citizen takes a long-stay visa, then a permit extended up to one year at a time. Owning a company is not a right to reside. Long-term ("permanent") residence is open after 5 years of continuous stay.
Does owning a Romanian company give me the right to live in Romania?
No. A company role is the condition of one route, not a right to reside. Buying a ready-made company gives no right to reside by itself. One route needs a company role: the D/AC long-stay visa (activități comerciale, commercial activities). It is for a foreigner who is, or will become, a member or shareholder with management powers of a Romanian company (art. 24(1)(c)).
The visa rests on a technical opinion from ARICE, the investment agency (Agenția Română pentru Investiții și Comerț Exterior). The permit is the decision of IGI, the immigration inspectorate (Inspectoratul General pentru Imigrări). An EU, EEA or Swiss citizen needs neither. They only register.
This page covers the owner, the administrator and the household of a Romanian company, ready-made or a new company instead of a shelf. Study, seasonal work, the EU Blue Card, the digital-nomad permit and citizenship are outside it.
Articles are those of OUG 194/2002 (ordonanță de urgență, emergency ordinance, on foreigners) as consolidated to 30 April 2026. That is an unofficial text hosted by IGI. Articles are also those of OUG 32/2026. We did not check later amendments.
EU, EEA or Swiss citizen
no visa and no permit
- Registration of residence at the IGI county officeafter 3 months of stay
- Certificate issued on the day of filingvalid up to 5 years but not less than one year
- End of the branchno visa and no permit
Non-EU citizen
the company role is a condition of this branch only
- Condition: a member or shareholder with management powers of a Romanian company
- Long-stay visa for commercial activity90 days, EUR 300
- ARICE opinionno term stated
- First permitfiled at least 30 days before the visa stay ends
- Renewal one year at a timefrom the second permit EUR 50,000 contributed and at least 10 full-time jobs for an SRL member
- Long-term right of stay after 5 years of continuous staydecided in up to 6 months plus 3, with the A2 certificate for filings from 1 January 2027
State charges EUR 120 consular fee, RON 265 card, RON 128 for the long-term right.
Sources: OUG 194/2002 as consolidated to 30 April 2026, OUG 32/2026 and the IGI pages.
What does an EU, EEA or Swiss owner do instead of applying for a permit?
For an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen the route is a registration at IGI, with no visa and no permit.
Register after 3 months
A citizen who wants to stay more than 3 months registers residence at the IGI county office where they live.
The certificate
The registration certificate (certificat de înregistrare) is issued on the day of filing. It is valid up to 5 years, not less than one year (IGI).
Proof for a company owner
An administrator proves the activity with the certificat constatator, the trade-register (ONRC) certificate (IGI). Ready-made companies: Ready-Made Companies in Romania, the Catalogue with Prices.
The right to work
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members work on the same conditions as Romanian citizens (IGI).
Family members
Family members receive a residence card (carte de rezidență), issued within 90 days of filing (IGI).
Which residence routes exist for the people around a Romanian company?
The table sets out the routes around a company and the people near it. D/AS is the statute's visa for alte scopuri (other purposes). A designated administrator is one category of it (art. 49(1)(c)). D/AE is the statute's visa for economic activities under special laws, such as authorised natural persons and individual or family enterprises (art. 41).
| Route and who it is for | Who files, and with whom | Decision term | Validity | The condition that matters most |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D/AC, an owner who is a member or shareholder with management powers (art. 43 and 55) | The applicant, in person at IGI after the visa; the ARICE opinion comes first | IGI opinion before the visa within 30 days of the request, 15 more possible (IGI D/AC page, internal procedure); extension in 30 days, 15 more possible | One year at a time; 3 years from EUR 500,000 invested or more than 50 full-time jobs | An ARICE opinion on a plan with a contribution of at least EUR 100,000 and at least 10 new jobs; from the second permit, EUR 50,000 contributed and 10 full-time jobs |
| D/AS, a hired administrator who is not a member (art. 49) | Filed under the extension rules at IGI | The extension rules: 30 days, 15 more possible | One year at a time | Not a member of any Romanian legal person now or in the last 2 years; the company has contributed at least EUR 50,000 (MAE e-Visa list); no other foreigner on the same ground there |
| D/AM1 and D/AM2, an employee (art. 44 and 56) | The employer's single application on the electronic platform; for D/AM2 a placement agency or an authorised employer | Extension in 30 days, 15 more possible; up to 30 more for work extensions in exceptional, justified cases | The contract, at most 2 years; for highly qualified workers the contract plus 3 months, at most 3 years | A full-time contract at no less than the guaranteed minimum gross wage |
| D/VF, a spouse and minor children of a non-EU sponsor (art. 46) | The sponsor files at IGI; the family then applies for the visa within 60 days of the approval | Within 3 months of filing; the family member's own permit in 30 days, 15 more possible | Extended individually for the same period as the sponsor's | The sponsor holds a permit valid one year; means of the minimum gross wage for each family member for 3 months |
| EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, registration (IGI) | The citizen, at the IGI county office | The certificate is issued on the day of filing | Up to 5 years, not less than one year | A stay of more than 3 months |
| Long-term right of stay (art. 70 to 74) | The holder of a temporary right, in person | At most 6 months from registration, 3 more for objective reasons | Indefinite; the card is valid 5 years | 5 years of continuous stay, means, insurance, housing, Romanian (a certificate at level A2 for applications filed from 1 January 2027) |
How does a non-EU owner get a permit on the commercial-activity route?
If you are a non-EU buyer who will be member and administrator, you build the file in this order. The full document list is on the page about a business visa for Romania.
Confirm the route the buyer
A member takes D/AC. A hired foreign administrator takes D/AS. It is barred to anyone who is, or in the last 2 years was, a member of a Romanian legal person (art. 49).
Take over the company the parties, a Bar-registered lawyer
The lawyer drafts the deed and resolutions. The company, the seller or the buyer notifies ANAF, the tax authority, within 15 days. ONRC enters the buyer as administrator. Terms: a share transfer in Romania.
Make the company fit the plan the company; a lawyer drafts the acts
It needs the object of activity, a lawful registered office (sediu social) and a payment account. The next section sets this out (art. 55).
Open a personal bank account in Romania the applicant, the bank
One statement in the applicant's name must show at least EUR 100,000 for an SRL member (art. 43(2)). No term is stated.
Write the plan and ask ARICE for its opinion the applicant, with an adviser
The plan commits to a contribution of at least EUR 100,000 and at least 10 new jobs within 12 months of obtaining the permit. The opinion is valid 6 months (art. 43). IGI gives its own opinion before the visa within 30 days, 15 more possible (IGI).
Apply for the visa the applicant
, on the e-Visa portal and in person at the Romanian mission, for EUR 300. The file also needs the criminal record from the country of origin or residence, translated and legalised. It needs travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000 and proof of accommodation. The visa is granted for 90 days.
File for the first permit the applicant
at the IGI office of the county of residence, in person or online. Do it at least 30 days before the visa stay ends (IGI). IGI decides in 30 days, 15 more possible, and the stay continues meanwhile. State charges: EUR 120 consular fee and RON 265 card.
What must the company have in place before the file?
The permit file is the applicant's own. The company must be able to show IGI and ARICE these things.
- The buyer is a member with management powers (art. 55(1)). The buyer is recorded after the transfer to an outsider is approved. Members holding at least three quarters of the capital must approve it, unless the constitutive act says otherwise (art. 202(2) of Law 31/1990).
- An administrator is appointed, who may be a member or not (art. 197(1) of Law 31/1990).
- The registered office is lawfully held (art. 55(1)).
- The object of activity matches the plan or continues it (art. 55(2)).
- The company has a payment account in Romania or at the State Treasury (Law 70/2015, as inserted by Law 239/2025). A company without one is declared inactive from 1 January 2026 under the Fiscal Procedure Code, as amended by Law 239/2025.
- A certificat constatator shows turnover, net profit or loss and average staff (art. 55(3)(c)).
- Investment and jobs are counted on each member's stake (art. 55(6)).
- The acts are drafted by a Bar-registered lawyer (art. 3(1)(c) of Law 51/1995).
- A dormant shelf kept dormant cannot document an investment and jobs. This is our reading of the plan, not a quoted rule.
From our practice
When a client asks about residence around a ready-made company, we read these papers first, in this order. They are the share-transfer approvals, the contract for the registered office, the proof of the payment account and the certificat constatator. The residence file itself is the applicant's own.
Can a hired administrator or an employee hold the permit instead?
A founder who does not want to move may look at a hired administrator or an employee.
A hired administrator (D/AS)
The administrator must not be a member of any Romanian legal person now or in the last 2 years. No other foreigner holds this ground in the company (art. 49). The Foreign Ministry's visa list also asks the company for a contribution of at least EUR 50,000. A buyer who is a member cannot use it.
Economic activities (D/AE)
A label for activities under special laws, such as authorised natural persons and individual or family enterprises (art. 41). Named here, not developed.
An employee (D/AM1, D/AM2)
The employer files one application on the electronic platform. D/AM2 goes through a placement agency or an authorised employer. The contract is full-time, at no less than the guaranteed minimum gross wage (art. 44 and 56). See the hiring non-EU employees guide.
No separate work permit
Since 27 April 2026, OUG 32/2026 art. 55 repeals Title I of Government Ordinance 25/2014. The D/AM visa carries the right to work. An authorised employer shows 24 months of uninterrupted activity and an average of at least 50 employees (art. 12).
Can my spouse and children come with me?
The household follows the sponsor, the non-EU holder of the permit.
The sponsor holds a temporary permit valid one year [art. 46(1
](https://igi.mai.gov.ro/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ORDONANTA-DE-URGENTA-nr.-194-din-12-decembrie-2002.pdf)). A D/AC permit is granted one year at a time. Whether a first one meets the condition is our reading, not a stated IGI practice.
The sponsor files at IGI
The papers are proof of the marriage or kinship, an authenticated declaration that the family will live together, housing, means and health insurance. Means are the minimum gross wage for each family member for 3 months. IGI decides within 3 months (art. 46).
Each family member applies for the D/VF visa *reîntregirea familiei*, family reunification
at the Romanian mission within 60 days of the approval. Foreign civil-status documents are translated and superlegalised or apostilled, in IGI's wording.
After entry, each member files for their own permit
at IGI. IGI decides in 30 days, 15 more possible. The permit is extended individually for the sponsor's period (IGI).
Family-reunification holders may run a business, practise a profession or be employed (art. 65). The permit of a family member of a Romanian citizen follows a separate IGI rule, not described here.
Planning a company and a permit together?
We prepare the company side of the file. We name the steps that others perform: the applicant, ARICE, IGI and a lawyer.
What is the residence permit card, and what do the visa and the permit cost?
The permit (permis de ședere) is the identity document of a foreigner whose stay is extended or who gets the long-term right. It proves identity, the address of residence and the existence, duration and purpose of the right of stay (art. 108(1)). A temporary card is renewed at each extension (art. 109(2)).
The holder carries it at all times (art. 108(2)). The holder collects it at the IGI office where the file was lodged. It can instead be sent by courier at the holder's cost (art. 107(6)). The amounts below are state charges. For the company-side costs, see the cost of a Romanian company page.
State charges only, from the sheets named in the last column, checked in October 2026.
| Item | Amount | Who pays and when | Sheet and date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long-stay visa | EUR 300 | The applicant, for applications from 27 April 2026 | MAE e-Visa fee notice |
| Consular fee for obtaining a residence permit | EUR 120 | Paid in the lei equivalent | IGI fee sheet, last modified 21 August 2025 |
| Residence permit card | RON 265 | A natural person, at CEC Bank counters or SELFPAY machines; IGI's notice prints 265 lei, VAT included | IGI fee sheet and payment notice |
| Long-term right of stay | RON 128 on top of the card | Not due from a family member of a Romanian citizen, who pays the card only | IGI fee sheet for the long-term right |
| Short-stay (Schengen C) visa, for visits | EUR 90 | Not part of a residence file | MAE e-Visa fee notice |
How long does the decision take, and can I stay while it is pending?
For an extension IGI decides within 30 days of filing, with at most 15 more for extra checks (art. 51(4)). For work extensions, in exceptional and justified cases, it can take at most 30 more days (OUG 32/2026).
If papers are missing, IGI sets a term of at most 30 days to supply them. The decision term is suspended meanwhile (art. 51(4^1)). A foreigner lawfully staying on the filing date keeps the right of stay until the decision. Law 28/2024 inserted this rule (art. 51(4^2)).
Other terms: IGI's opinion before the D/AC visa takes 30 days plus 15 (IGI). This is an internal IGI procedure. Family reunification takes 3 months (art. 46). The long-term right takes 6 months plus 3 (art. 73). The texts checked state no term for the ARICE opinion, so no total is given.
law a term set by law internal IGI's internal procedure none no term stated
temporary right of stay, the visa
- 1
Bank statement
- none no term stated
- 2
ARICE opinion
- law valid 6 months
- none no term stated for the opinion
- 3
IGI opinion before the D/AC visa
- internal 30 days, 15 more possible
- 4
Criminal-record certificate
- none no term stated
temporary right of stay, the permit
- 5
Long-stay visa
- law 90 days
- 6
First permit filed
- law at least 30 days before the visa stay ends
- 7
IGI decision
- law 30 days, 15 more for extra checks
- law up to 30 more for work extensions in exceptional cases
- 8
Incomplete file
- law at most 30 days to supply papers, the decision term suspended
temporary right of stay, meanwhile
- 9
Lawful stay continues
- law until the decision
- 10
Family reunification
- law decided within 3 months
long-term right
- 1
Continuous stay
- law 5 years
- 2
Decision on the long-term right
- law within 6 months of registration, 3 more for objective reasons
- 3
Collect the permit
- law within 30 days of the notification
- law the card is valid 5 years
- 4
Appeal
- law within 30 days to the Bucharest Court of Appeal
The line shows order, not scale: each term runs from the event it names.
What are the requirements for a temporary residence permit in Romania?
Extensions run for up to one year at a time, unless the statute gives longer (art. 50(2)). Each one asks for the following.
- Lawful use of the dwelling and actually living at the declared address (art. 50(2)).
- Social health insurance; a private all-risk policy is accepted at the first extension (art. 50(2)).
- A medical certificate from a public or private health institution (art. 51(2)).
- Proof of means: salary certificate, pension slip, income-tax return, bank statement or equivalent (art. 51(3)).
- The same purpose as the visa, except for family reunification and work (art. 50(2)).
- Filing in person at the IGI office of the place of residence at least 30 days before the approved stay ends, or online (art. 51(1)).
- An interview if called; non-attendance may be a ground for refusal (art. 51(6)).
- A refusal and its reasons arrive in the return decision (art. 52(2)).
- Means are measured against the guaranteed minimum gross wage. It is 4,050 lei a month in the Government's note of March 2026. The note proposes 4,325 lei from 1 July 2026 (adopted text not checked).
Which documents does each file need from a non-resident?
Documents by file. The foreign-document note differs between IGI files and ONRC files.
Documents by file; the ONRC rule is not the IGI rule.
| File | Documents the statute or the authority names | Foreign-document note | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa file (D/AC) | Passport; ARICE opinion; the bank statement; criminal record from the country of origin or residence; travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000; proof of accommodation | The criminal record is translated into Romanian, English or French and legalised | IGI D/AC page; art. 43(2); MAE e-Visa document list |
| Extension file | Application and passport; proof of dwelling; health insurance; medical certificate; proof of means | None stated beyond the list | OUG 194/2002, art. 50 and 51 |
| Family file | Proof of marriage or kinship; the sponsor's authenticated declaration; housing; means; health insurance | The marriage certificate is translated and either superlegalised or apostilled, in IGI's wording | art. 46(7); IGI residence-permit page |
| Long-term file | Application; passport; housing; means; health insurance; Romanian criminal-record certificate; for applications filed from 1 January 2027, the A2 language certificate (art. 52(6) OUG 32/2026) | The language certificate is issued by an accredited Romanian institution | art. 72 |
| ONRC filings for the company (share transfer, administrator) | The acts drafted by a Bar-registered lawyer | Apostille or superlegalisation unless a treaty or EU rule removes the formality, always with a legalised Romanian translation; the rule for ONRC files, not for IGI files | art. 3 of Law 51/1995; art. 76 of Law 265/2022 (2022 text) |
What must the company show when a D/AC permit is renewed?
The plan commits to the investment and the jobs within 12 months of the permit (art. 43(2)). From the second permit, the company shows them.
Contribution and jobs
An SRL member shows EUR 50,000 contributed and at least 10 full-time jobs. An SA shareholder shows EUR 70,000 and 15 jobs. Both are counted on each member's stake (art. 55(2) and (6)).
The plan and the object
The plan was followed, and the object of activity is the initial one or a continuation or result of it (art. 55(2)).
The labour inspectorate certificate
A certificate of the territorial labour inspectorate (Inspectoratul Teritorial de Muncă) states the number of full-time employees (IGI).
The register extract
The certificat constatator shown to IGI carries turnover, net profit or loss and the average number of employees (art. 55(3)(c)).
Means and length
Means of EUR 500 a month for an SRL member (EUR 700 for an SA shareholder) for the permit's validity. The permit is granted one year at a time, 3 years from EUR 500,000 invested or more than 50 full-time jobs (art. 55(5)). The renewal is filed at least 30 days before expiry (IGI).
The company's own staff or a member of CECCAR, the accountants' professional body, does payroll and bookkeeping for those jobs. This site sells neither.
What is permanent residence in Romania, and how is it obtained?
"Permanent" is the pre-2011 name. Law 157/2011 replaced it with "long-term". The right is granted on request, for an indefinite period, to holders of a temporary right of stay (art. 70(1)).
Who cannot have it
Holders of a temporary right for studies, protection applicants and seasonal or au pair workers, among others (art. 70(2)).
Five years of stay
Continuous stay in the 5 years before the application, with no absence over 6 consecutive months or 10 months in total (art. 71(1)).
Means, insurance, housing
The conditions are means at the guaranteed minimum gross wage for 12 months (not asked of family members of Romanian citizens). The others are health insurance, housing, no threat to public order and a satisfactory level of Romanian (art. 71(1)).
The A2 certificate
The application includes a certificate from an accredited Romanian institution attesting Romanian at no lower than level A2 (art. 72(1)(f)). OUG 32/2026 added this requirement in art. 45 pt. 51. Applications for the long-term right filed up to 31 December 2026 are decided under the law applicable before that ordinance (art. 52(6) of OUG 32/2026). The A2 certificate therefore applies to applications filed from 1 January 2027. IGI's long-term page, checked on 14 October 2026, lists no language certificate. Its list of 1 November 2024 says only "satisfactory". The texts checked do not state whether A2 reaches the investment shortcut or the family of a Romanian citizen.
Decision, collection, appeal
IGI decides within 6 months of registration, 3 more for objective reasons (art. 73). You can appeal a refusal within 30 days to the Bucharest Court of Appeal. A refusal leaves the current right of stay untouched and may not rest on economic grounds (art. 74).
The card and how the right ends
The card is valid 5 years, 10 for the family of a Romanian citizen (art. 110). The right ends on an absence of more than 12 consecutive months, unless a temporary right was held in another EU state. It also ends on request (art. 70(3)).
Is there a Romanian golden visa or residence by investment?
No golden-visa or investor-residence category appears among the visa types the consolidation lists (art. 20). Residence runs through a company role, as above.
One shortcut exists, and it is discretionary. The long-term right may be granted to a foreigner who shows investments of at least EUR 1,000,000 on their own stake, or more than 100 full-time jobs created. It waives only the 5-year and means conditions of art. 71(1)(a)-(b) (art. 71(4)). It leads to long-term residence for a person who already holds a right of stay, not to a first permit. We do not know how IGI applies it.
Does a residence permit make me a Romanian tax resident?
Tax residence is a Fiscal Code test, separate from the permit. A natural person who meets at least one condition is a resident (art. 7 pt. 28). One condition is presence in Romania for more than 183 days in total in any 12 consecutive months ending in the calendar year concerned (pt. 28(c)). The days are counted from the first day of arrival (art. 59(2^1)).
A resident is taxed in Romania on worldwide income (art. 7 pt. 37). The permit is separate from the tax test. The tax guides cover the rates and regimes. This page reaches no conclusion for a reader's case.
Sources: the official instruments behind each figure
Every figure above comes from the official texts below, checked in October 2026. Articles are those of OUG 194/2002 in the consolidation valid 27 to 30 April 2026, an unofficial text hosted by IGI, and of OUG 32/2026; later amendments were not checked.
- OUG 194/2002 as consolidated: visa types, extensions, the D/AC and family routes, the long-term right.
- OUG 32/2026: the A2 certificate, the repeal of the work notice, the authorised employer.
- IGI, registration of residence: EU, EEA and Swiss registration, the certificate, the right to work.
- IGI, EU and EEA citizens: the certificat constatator as proof of the administrator role.
- IGI, commercial activities: the D/AC route, the IGI opinion, means, the 30-day filing rule.
- IGI fee sheet for a residence permit: the EUR 120 consular fee and the RON 265 card.
- Foreign Ministry e-Visa fees: the EUR 300 long-stay visa fee and the EUR 90 short-stay fee.
- IGI, residence permit: online filing, the family of a non-EU sponsor, civil-status documents.
- IGI fee sheet for the long-term right: the RON 128 fee for the long-term right.
- IGI, long-term residence: the long-term card, equal treatment, IGI's document list.
- Fiscal Code with the methodological norms: tax residence, the 183-day test, worldwide income.
Frequently asked questions about the Romanian residence permit
How do I get a residence permit in Romania as a company owner?
A non-EU owner takes a long-stay visa for commercial activity (D/AC). It needs the ARICE technical opinion and a role as member or shareholder with management powers. The owner then files for the IGI permit at least 30 days before the 90-day stay ends. An EU, EEA or Swiss owner needs neither and registers residence.
Does owning a Romanian company give me the right to live in Romania?
No. The D/AC visa is for someone who is or becomes a member or shareholder with management powers. It rests on an ARICE opinion about a business plan that commits to an investment and jobs. The permit is IGI's decision. No text checked gives a ready-made company any residence right.
Do I need a residence permit if I am an EU citizen?
No. After 3 months the citizen registers residence at the IGI county office. The certificate is issued on the day of filing and is valid up to 5 years, but not less than one year. An administrator proves the activity with the certificat constatator from the trade register.
Can I live in Romania as a US citizen?
A US citizen is not an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, so the non-EU routes of this guide are the ones the consolidation provides. The consolidation checked does not name the United States, Canada or Japan. This page therefore makes no nationality-specific claim and does not rate how difficult it is.
What are the requirements for a Romanian residence permit?
Every extension needs lawful housing actually lived in, health insurance, a medical certificate, proof of means and the same purpose as the visa. You lodge the file in person at least 30 days before expiry. Each route adds its own conditions, such as the ARICE opinion for commercial activity.
How long does the decision take, and can I stay while it is pending?
IGI decides an extension in 30 days, with at most 15 more for extra checks. A lawful stay on the filing date continues until the decision. Family reunification takes up to 3 months, the long-term right up to 6 months plus 3. The texts checked state no term for the ARICE opinion.
How long is a temporary permit valid and how is it renewed?
Extensions run up to one year at a time. The D/AC permit follows that pattern, with 3 years from EUR 500,000 invested or more than 50 full-time jobs. An employment permit follows the contract, at most 2 years. Renewal is filed at least 30 days before expiry.
What must the company show when a D/AC permit is renewed?
The company must show that it follows the business plan and keeps its object. It must show EUR 50,000 contributed and at least 10 full-time jobs for an SRL member, counted on the member's stake. It also needs a labour-inspectorate certificate of the staff. The register extract shows turnover, profit or loss and average staff.
What does a residence permit cost in state fees?
The long-stay visa costs EUR 300 for applications from 27 April 2026. The temporary permit carries a EUR 120 consular fee, paid in lei, and RON 265 for the card. For the long-term right the IGI sheet lists RON 128 and RON 265 for the card. The family of a Romanian citizen pays the card only. State charges only.
Can my spouse and children come with me?
Yes, once the sponsor holds a temporary permit valid one year. The sponsor shows means of the minimum gross wage for each family member for 3 months, and suitable housing. IGI decides in up to 3 months. The family then applies for a D/VF visa within 60 days. Family members may work or run a business.
What is "permanent residence" and how do I get it?
The statute calls it the long-term right of stay ("permanent" until 2011). You can request it after 5 years of continuous stay with limited absences. It needs means at the minimum wage for 12 months, health insurance, housing and a satisfactory level of Romanian. Applications filed from 1 January 2027 add an A2 certificate. The card lasts 5 years.
Is there a Romanian golden visa or residence by investment?
No such scheme appears in the text checked. Residence runs through a company role. The only investment shortcut is discretionary. It leads to long-term residence for a foreigner who already holds a right of stay, with at least EUR 1,000,000 invested on their own stake or more than 100 full-time jobs.
Does a residence permit make me a Romanian tax resident?
Tax residence is a separate Fiscal Code test. One condition is enough. Presence over 183 days in 12 consecutive months is one such condition, counted from the first day of arrival. A resident is taxed on worldwide income. This page states the tests and gives no conclusion for a reader's case.
Can I hire a foreign director instead of moving myself?
On the D/AS route a hired administrator must not be, and must not have been in the last 2 years, a member of any Romanian legal person. Per the Foreign Ministry's visa list, the company must also have contributed at least EUR 50,000. A buyer who is a member cannot use the route for themself.
What happens if an extension or the long-term right is refused?
A refused extension reaches the foreigner as a return decision. You can appeal a refused long-term right within 30 days to the Bucharest Court of Appeal. The refusal does not end the current stay. The right itself can be lost, for example by an absence of more than 12 consecutive months.