Residence Registration in Romania
Citizens of the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland benefit from the right to free movement and residence in Romania under Romanian and European law.
EU / EEA / Swiss citizens who intend to stay in Romania for more than three months generally need to register their residence with the Romanian General Inspectorate for Immigration.
CETO Global Immigration Consulting & Partners assists internationally mobile professionals, entrepreneurs and families in understanding the Romanian residence-registration process and coordinates the required formalities together with qualified professional partners.
Citizens of:
who intend to reside in Romania for more than 3 months generally need to register their residence with the territorial unit of the Romanian General Inspectorate for Immigration responsible for the county where they live.
EU / EEA / Swiss citizens who satisfy the applicable requirements receive a Registration Certificate. This document confirms their registered residence in Romania.
Issued on the Same Day
Validity is subject to the applicable residence circumstances.
Residence registration can be based on different activities or personal circumstances. These can include:
The required documents depend on the purpose of residence.
EU / EEA citizens who work in Romania can register their residence based on employment.
Documents generally include: Application, Valid Identity Card or Passport, Employment Contract, and Employer Confirmation / Employment Registration Evidence.
EU / EEA / Swiss citizens can work in Romania under the same general conditions as Romanian citizens and do not require the standard work permit used for many third-country nationals.
EU / EEA / Swiss citizens carrying out qualifying independent economic activity can register their residence based on that activity.
Depending on the business structure, documentation may include evidence issued by the Romanian National Trade Register Office showing that the applicant is legally authorised to conduct the activity.
An EU / EEA / Swiss citizen involved in a Romanian company may register their residence based on commercial activity.
Relevant evidence can include documentation from the National Trade Register Office showing that the applicant conducts business in accordance with Romanian law, for example in an administrator role.
Professionals carrying out activities regulated by Romanian special legislation may register their residence based on their professional activity.
Applicants generally need: Valid ID / Passport, Professional Authorization, and Professional Approval or Licence Required by Romanian Law.
An EU / EEA / Swiss citizen who is not employed or self-employed may still be able to reside in Romania where they can demonstrate Sufficient Means of Support and Appropriate Health Insurance.
The purpose is to demonstrate that the person can support themselves during their stay without becoming an unreasonable burden on Romania's social assistance system.
EU / EEA / Swiss students can register their residence in Romania based on studies.
Applicants generally need: Application, Valid ID or Passport, Evidence of Enrollment at an Accredited Educational Institution, Evidence of Sufficient Means of Support, and Health Insurance.
Family members of EU / EEA / Swiss citizens can also obtain Romanian residence documentation.
The type of document depends on whether the family member is themselves an EU / EEA / Swiss citizen or a third-country national.
Eligible family members who are also EU / EEA / Swiss citizens can generally register residence based on their family relationship. Documentation can include:
A family member who is not an EU / EEA / Swiss citizen generally receives a Residence Card rather than a registration certificate.
The residence card confirms their Romanian residence right as the qualifying family member of an EU / EEA / Swiss citizen.
Residence Card
For qualifying family members, the initial residence card is currently generally issued within 90 days from the date the application is submitted.
For certain subsequent applications, the card can be issued within 30 days, provided the applicable legal conditions remain satisfied.
90 Days (Initial) / 30 Days (Subsequent)
The residence card for a qualifying family member can generally be valid for up to 5 years, but cannot exceed the residence period of the EU / EEA / Swiss citizen on whom the family member's residence right depends.
Up to 5 Years
One of the key advantages for EU / EEA / Swiss citizens is access to the Romanian labour market.
EU / EEA / Swiss citizens and their qualifying family members can generally work in Romania under the same conditions as Romanian citizens.
Same Conditions as Romanian Citizens
Subject to the normal professional and employment rules applicable in Romania.
EU / EEA / Swiss citizens and eligible family members who have maintained continuous and legal residence in Romania for more than 5 years can generally apply for permanent residence.
After 5 Years
The permanent residence card is generally valid for 10 years.
For persons under 14 years of age, the card is generally valid for 5 years.
10 Years (5 Years Under Age 14)
When assessing the five-year period, certain absences do not automatically interrupt residence continuity. These can include:
Some qualifying absences for education, professional training or employment can extend up to 12 consecutive months without necessarily interrupting continuity.
Permanent residence can generally be lost where the holder is absent from Romanian territory for more than 2 consecutive years, subject to the applicable legal rules.
More Than 2 Consecutive Years
We review whether your Romanian residence is based on employment, business, studies, sufficient means, family or another qualifying purpose.
The relevant identity, employment, business, study, financial or family documents are reviewed.
The application is submitted to the territorial unit of the General Inspectorate for Immigration.
The appropriate Romanian residence document is obtained.
Where required, we assist with family documentation, renewals and permanent-residence planning.
EU / EEA / Swiss citizens who intend to remain in Romania for more than three months generally need to register their residence.
No standard third-country work permit is required. EU / EEA / Swiss citizens generally work under the same conditions as Romanian citizens.
IGI currently states that the registration certificate is issued on the same day.
It can generally be valid for up to 5 years and not less than one year.
Potentially yes. A qualifying third-country family member can apply for a residence card based on the family relationship.
The initial card is generally issued within 90 days.
Potentially yes. After more than five years of continuous and legal residence in Romania, EU / EEA / Swiss citizens and qualifying family members can generally apply for permanent residence.
Generally 10 years, or five years for persons under 14.
European Free Movement with Professional Support
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen planning to work, establish a business, study or live in Romania, CETO can help you understand the applicable registration requirements and coordinate the residence formalities.
EU free-movement and residence rights depend on the applicant's circumstances and continued compliance with Romanian and European law. Different rules apply to third-country family members.
