Associate
€500 per month for the validity period of the residence permit.
🇷🇴 Romania
Business & Commercial Activities
Business Immigration for Entrepreneurs & Investors in Romania
← Back to Romania
Romania provides a dedicated immigration and residence pathway for eligible third-country nationals who intend to establish, manage and develop qualifying commercial activities in Romania.
The Business & Commercial Activities pathway can be relevant for foreign entrepreneurs, investors, shareholders and associates who intend to actively participate in the management or administration of a Romanian company.
CETO Global Immigration Consulting & Partners assists international entrepreneurs in assessing their eligibility and coordinates the immigration, business and legal process together with qualified professional partners.
Who Can Apply?
This pathway is primarily designed for non-EU/EEA nationals who intend to conduct genuine commercial activities in Romania. Applicants generally need to:
- Be a shareholder or associate in a Romanian company
- Have management or administrative responsibilities
- Present a qualifying business plan
- Obtain the required specialised technical endorsement
- Demonstrate the required investment and business development
- Satisfy the applicable immigration and residence requirements
Simply incorporating or owning a Romanian company does not automatically provide a right of residence in Romania. The commercial activity and immigration requirements must be satisfied separately.
Business Plan
A central element of the commercial activity pathway is the applicant's business plan. The proposed Romanian business should demonstrate a credible commercial activity and provide information regarding areas such as:
The business plan is subject to assessment by the competent Romanian investment authority.
- Business Model
- Proposed Commercial Activity
- Investment
- Financing
- Management
- Business Development
- Employment Creation
- Financial Projections
- Operational Strategy
Specialised Technical Endorsement
Before applying for the Romanian long-stay visa for commercial activities, the foreign investor must obtain the required Specialised Technical Endorsement on the business plan.
The endorsement is currently issued through the Romanian Agency for Investments and Foreign Trade (ARICE) under the applicable Romanian procedure.
The endorsement is an important part of the subsequent immigration application.
ARICE Endorsement
Long-Stay Visa – D/AC
After obtaining the required business-plan endorsement, the applicant can proceed with an application for the Romanian Long-Stay Visa for Commercial Activities, Visa Category D/AC.
The application is generally submitted through the competent Romanian diplomatic mission or consular office.
Visa Category D/AC
Long-Stay Visa Documentation
Depending on the applicant's circumstances and applicable requirements, documentation can include:
- Valid Passport
- Specialised Technical Endorsement of the Business Plan
- Criminal Record Certificate or Equivalent Document
- Medical / Travel Insurance
- Evidence relating to Accommodation
- Additional Documents Required by the Romanian Authorities
The exact documentation should always be confirmed according to the applicant's nationality and circumstances.
After Arrival in Romania
Obtaining the long-stay visa is not the final stage.
After entering Romania, the applicant must proceed with the appropriate temporary residence procedure with the Romanian immigration authorities.
The residence application requires evidence that the applicant continues to satisfy the commercial activity requirements.
First Residence Permit
For the first extension of the right of residence for commercial activities, applicants may need documentation including:
- Application
- Valid Passport / Travel Document
- Relevant Business Activity Endorsement
- Romanian Company Registration Certificate
- Articles of Incorporation
- Company Registration Documentation
- Evidence of Financial Means
- Evidence of Legal Registered Office
- Evidence of Accommodation
- Social / Health Insurance Evidence
- Medical Certificate
- Applicable Fees
- Other Documentation Required by the Authorities
Financial Means
Shareholder
€700 per month for the validity period of the residence permit.
Financial Means
Under the current Romanian commercial-activity rules, applicants generally need to demonstrate means of support of at least €500 per month (Associate) or €700 per month (Shareholder) for the validity period of the residence permit.
Different rules and exemptions can apply to qualifying larger investments or job-creation projects.
Investment & Business Development Requirements
Associate
€50,000 Investment
At Least 10 Full-Time Jobs
Shareholder
€70,000 Investment
At Least 15 Full-Time Jobs
Investment & Business Development Requirements
For subsequent extensions, the Romanian authorities assess whether the company is operating according to the approved business plan.
The investment must generally materialise through capital or technology contributions.
Under the current rules, the relevant thresholds are €50,000 for an associate together with at least 10 full-time jobs, or €70,000 for a shareholder together with at least 15 full-time jobs.
The investment amount and number of jobs are assessed in accordance with the applicant's participation in the company.
Important: Active Business Required
The commercial residence pathway is designed around genuine business activity. For subsequent residence extensions, the authorities may examine whether:
- The company operates according to the approved business plan
- The intended commercial activity is actually being carried out
- The required investment has been implemented
- The required employment has been created
- The applicant continues to have the appropriate corporate role
- The company maintains its legal registered office
- The applicant satisfies the applicable financial requirements
Residence Permit Validity
Temporary residence for commercial activities can generally be extended for successive periods of up to 1 year, provided the applicable requirements continue to be satisfied.
Up to 1 Year
Major Investment or Job Creation
Romania provides more favourable residence-extension periods for qualifying larger business projects.
Where the foreign national demonstrates at least €500,000 investment or more than 50 full-time jobs, the temporary residence right can be extended for periods of up to 3 years.
This can make the commercial activity pathway particularly relevant for larger international investment projects.
Up to 3 Years
Additional Investment Advantages
Under the current rules, additional treatment can apply to businesses reaching certain investment or employment levels.
For investments of at least €150,000 or the creation of at least 25 full-time jobs, proof of means of support may be demonstrated through additional legally accepted documentation.
For investments of at least €200,000 or the creation of at least 50 full-time jobs, the separate proof-of-means-of-support requirement may no longer apply under the applicable rules.
Application Process
- 01
Initial Consultation
We assess your nationality, business objectives, investment capacity and proposed Romanian business activity.
- 02
Business Structure
The appropriate Romanian company and ownership structure is assessed together with qualified corporate and legal professionals.
- 03
Business Plan
The proposed commercial activity, investment, financing and development strategy are documented in a structured business plan.
- 04
Technical Endorsement
The required specialised technical endorsement for the foreign investor's business plan is obtained from the competent Romanian authority.
- 05
Long-Stay Visa – D/AC
Following the required endorsement, the applicant proceeds with the Romanian long-stay visa application for commercial activities.
- 06
Entry into Romania
Following successful visa approval, the applicant enters Romania according to the applicable immigration rules.
- 07
Temporary Residence
The applicant proceeds with the residence application through the Romanian immigration authorities.
- 08
Business Development
The company must develop according to the approved business plan and satisfy the applicable investment, employment and immigration requirements.
- 09
Residence Renewal
Residence can be renewed when the applicable requirements continue to be satisfied.
Processing of Residence Application
The Romanian General Inspectorate for Immigration generally processes an application for the granting or extension of residence rights within 30 days.
Where additional checks are required, the processing period can be extended by up to 15 additional days.
Incomplete applications can result in requests for additional documentation and may delay the procedure.
30 Days (+15 Additional Days)
Who May Benefit From This Pathway?
- International Entrepreneurs
- Foreign Investors
- Business Owners
- Company Shareholders
- Company Associates
- International Business Groups
- Entrepreneurs Expanding Into the EU
- Business Owners Establishing Romanian Operations
- Investors Creating Employment in Romania
Company Formation vs. Residency
It is important to distinguish between Company Formation and Immigration & Residency.
A foreign national may be able to establish or participate in a Romanian company without automatically becoming eligible for Romanian residence.
Residence through commercial activities requires a separate immigration procedure and compliance with the applicable business, investment and residence requirements.
Family Relocation
Eligible business residence holders may potentially have access to Romanian family reunification pathways. Depending on the applicable requirements, qualifying family members may include:
- Spouse
- Minor Children
- Other Eligible Dependants in certain circumstances
Long-Term Residence
Commercial activity can form part of a longer-term immigration strategy in Romania.
Eligible third-country nationals with qualifying lawful residence for commercial activities can contribute toward a longer-term residence strategy, subject to Romania's separate long-term residence requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What investment is required?
Thresholds depend on corporate role: €50,000 for an associate together with at least 10 full-time jobs, or €70,000 for a shareholder together with at least 15 full-time jobs. The exact requirements and calculation depend on the applicant's corporate participation and individual circumstances.
How long is the residence permit valid?
Temporary residence for commercial activities can generally be extended successively for periods of up to one year. Qualifying major investors or businesses creating more than 50 full-time jobs may receive extensions of up to three years.
Can my family join me?
Potentially yes. Eligible family members may have access to Romanian family reunification procedures subject to the applicable requirements.
Can this lead to long-term residence?
Potentially yes. Qualifying lawful residence for commercial activities can contribute toward a longer-term residence strategy, subject to Romania's separate long-term residence requirements.
Build Your Business in Romania
Establish Your Business & European Presence
Romania can provide an attractive platform for international entrepreneurs seeking to establish and develop genuine business operations within the European Union.
CETO Global Immigration Consulting & Partners can help assess your proposed business immigration strategy and coordinate the required immigration, corporate and professional services through qualified partners.
Company formation alone does not provide an automatic right of residence in Romania. Commercial activity residence applications are subject to business-plan approval, immigration requirements, investment and employment conditions and individual assessment by the competent Romanian authorities. Investment thresholds, financial requirements, administrative procedures and immigration rules may change.