Romania, having become a member of the European Union in 2007, has opened up new opportunities for its citizens, as well as foreigners who want to become such. And after recently joining the Schengen area, the attractiveness of this country has become even more obvious. In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the legal ways to obtain Romanian citizenship, the necessary documents and possible difficulties that may occur along the way.
The main ways to obtain Romanian citizenship
There are several main ways to acquire Romanian citizenship.
Naturalization is a standard method available to any foreigner who has been living in Romania for a long time. The naturalization process includes the following steps:
- Obtaining a type D visa.
- Registration of a residence permit (residence permit).
- Obtaining a permanent residence permit (permanent residence).
- Applying for citizenship.
- Taking the oath.
The period of residence required for naturalization is 8 years. For persons married to Romanian citizens, this period is reduced to 5 years.
Repatriation. This is a simplified way to obtain citizenship for people with Romanian roots. According to the law, descendants (up to the third generation) of people who lived in Romania from 1918 to 1940 have the right to restore citizenship.
Birth. Children born in Romania or adopted by citizens of the country automatically receive Romanian citizenship.
Special merits.In exceptional cases, citizenship may be granted to persons who have special services to the Romanian State.
Naturalization: a step-by-step process
To start the naturalization process, it is necessary to obtain a type D national visa. It can be issued on the basis of:
- Employment opportunities.
- Training.
- Family reunions.
- Doing business.
After arriving in Romania, it is necessary to register a residence permit (Permis de dedere). A residence permit is usually issued for up to 1 year with the possibility of extension.
After 5 years of residence in Romania with a residence permit, you can apply for obtaining a permanent residence permit (CărțIi de rezidenăă permanentă). Permanent residence is valid for 10 years.
3 years after obtaining permanent residence (that is, after 8 years of residence in the country), you can apply for citizenship to the National Office of Citizenship (ANC).
After the approval of the application, the candidate must take an oath of allegiance to the Romanian state and people.
Repatriation: a simplified path to citizenship
The descendants (up to the third generation) of persons who lived in Romania from 1918 to 1940 have the right to repatriation. This applies not only to ethnic Romanians, but also to residents of the territories that were part of Romania during this period (parts of modern Ukraine, Moldova and other countries).
The repatriation process is as follows:
- Collection of documents confirming kinship with persons who lived in Romania.
- Submitting an application to the Ministry of Justice of the country.
- Waiting for the case to be considered (usually from 6 months to 2 years).
- Taking the oath of office and obtaining a certificate of citizenship.
Advantages of repatriation:
- Shorter terms of obtaining citizenship.
- There is no need for a long stay in Romania.
- The possibility of retaining previous citizenship.
Required documents
Regardless of the method of obtaining citizenship, you will need to prepare a number of documents:
- Application for citizenship.
- A birth certificate.
- Passport.
- Documents confirming legal residence in Romania (for naturalization).
- Certificate of no criminal record.
- Documents confirming knowledge of the Romanian language.
- Documents on civil status (marriage certificate, divorce, etc.).
- 4 color photos 3.5×4.5 cm.
All documents must be translated into Romanian and notarized.
Features of obtaining citizenship for different categories of applicants
Here is how the situation stands for different categories of applicants:
Migrant workers
To obtain citizenship by naturalization on the basis of employment, it is necessary:
- Get an invitation from an employer.
- Apply for a work permit.
- Get a Type D visa.
- Get a residence permit, and then permanent residence.
- After 8 years of residence, apply for citizenship.
Students
Studying in Romania does not give direct privileges in obtaining citizenship, but it allows:
- Get a student visa D.
- Get a residence permit for the period of study.
- After graduation, find a job or open a business to continue the path to citizenship.
Business immigrants
To obtain citizenship through starting a business, you must:
- Register a company in Romania (minimum investment of 100,000 EUR for an LLC).
- Get a business visa and a residence permit.
- After 5 years, apply for permanent residence.
- After 3 years, apply for citizenship.
With investments over 1,000,000 EUR, the waiting period for submitting an application may be reduced to 4 years.
Family reunion
Spouses and minor children of Romanian citizens can obtain a residence permit on the basis of family reunification. The period of naturalization for spouses is reduced to 5 years.
Advantages of Romanian citizenship
Among the advantages of having a Romanian passport:
Freedom of movement
The Romanian passport allows visa-free travel to more than 170 countries around the world. Since April 2024, Romania has become part of the Schengen area, which has made it even easier for its citizens to travel around Europe.
Work and business in the EU
Romanian citizens have the right to work and conduct business in any country of the European Union without additional permits.
Education
Romanian citizens can study at prestigious European universities on the same terms as local students.
Social guarantees
Romanian passport holders have access to the social security system EU, including health insurance and pension provision.
The possibility of dual citizenship
Romania allows its citizens to have a second citizenship, which allows them to keep their passport of the country of origin.
Low cost of living
Romania has a relatively low cost of living compared to other EU countries. A family of four can comfortably live on 2,000 euros per month, excluding rental housing.
Possible difficulties and ways to solve them
What difficulties will you have to face and how can they be solved?:
Duration of the process
Obtaining citizenship by naturalization can take up to 8-10 years. Repatriation is usually faster, but it still takes time (from 1 to 3 years).
Solution: plan the process carefully, start collecting documents in advance, consider the possibility of repatriation if you have Romanian roots.
The language barrier
Knowledge of the Romanian language is required to obtain citizenship.
Solution: start learning the language as early as possible, enroll in online courses or language schools.
Bureaucratic difficulties
The process of obtaining citizenship involves the preparation of many documents and the passage of various instances.
Solution: seek the help of professional lawyers specializing in migration issues.
The risk of fraud
There are unscrupulous intermediaries offering “quick” citizenship by illegal methods.
Solution:to work only with trusted companies, not to trust offers to obtain citizenship in an incredibly short time.
Frequently Asked Questions about obtaining Romanian citizenship
How long does it take to obtain Romanian citizenship?
Upon naturalization: usually 8-10 years (5 years for spouses of Romanian citizens). Upon repatriation: from 1 to 3 years.
Is it possible to have dual citizenship?
Yes, Romania allows dual citizenship.
What level of Romanian is required to obtain citizenship?
It requires a level sufficient for basic communication and understanding of the basics of culture and history of the country.
Is it possible to obtain Romanian citizenship for investments?
There is no direct citizenship by investment program, but large investments (from 1 million euros) can speed up the naturalization process.
Does buying a property give you the right to citizenship?
No, buying real estate by itself does not give you the right to citizenship.
Who is eligible for repatriation?
Descendants (up to the third generation) of persons who lived in Romania from 1918 to 1940.
Do I need to live in Romania to obtain citizenship upon repatriation?
No, permanent residence in Romania is not required upon repatriation.
What documents are needed to confirm Romanian roots?
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, documents on the residence of ancestors in Romania during the specified period.
Can children obtain Romanian citizenship with their parents?
Yes, minor children can obtain citizenship together with their parents.
How much does the citizenship procedure cost?
The state fee is low, but the cost of legal support can vary from 2000 euros and above.
Is it possible to work in other countries An EU with a Romanian passport?
Yes, Romanian citizens have the right to live and work in any EU country.
Do Romanian citizens need a US visa?
At the moment, yes, but Romania is working on including visa-free entry into the United States.
Is it possible to obtain Romanian citizenship by studying at a Romanian university?
Education in itself does not give the right to citizenship, but it makes it easier to obtain a residence permit and can be the first step towards naturalization.
What should I do if I am refused citizenship?
You can file an appeal or a repeat application after the reasons for the refusal have been eliminated.
Author
Yulia Yanukovych Editor-in-Chief
I am responsible for the work of the editorial office. I write expert interviews and guides.