Romania residency & citizenship

Overview

Romania is an EU member (since 2007) and a full Schengen member since January 2025. It has the fastest broadband in Europe, low cost of living, and a competitive digital nomad visa (€3,700/mo income). A proposed Golden Visa (€400,000) is being discussed but not yet law. Citizenship requires 8 years of residence (2025 law clarified permanent residence requirement). ^[1]

Residency Programs

Per-Program Detail

Digital Nomad Visa

• Official name: Digital Nomad Visa (Law no. 69/2023)
• Conditions: Non-EU/EEA citizen. Remote work using ICT for employers/clients based OUTSIDE Romania. Income ≥ ~€3,700/month (3× Romanian average gross salary, ~18,500 RON). Must prove income for preceding 6 months (bank statements/payslips). Clean criminal record. Health insurance. Accommodation proof. ^[2]
• Duration / renewal: D visa (90 days) → residence permit 12 months, renewable annually, max 36 months total. ^[3]
• Path to citizenship: Does NOT directly lead to permanent residence. After 36 months, must switch to another permit type (work, business) for long-term path.
• Official source: https://igi.mai.gov.ro/en
• Community verdict: Works well — one of Europe's best DN visas: low cost of living, fastest internet, full Schengen access since 2025. Major hidden gem.

Tax note for digital nomads

Under Law no. 69/2023, DN visa holders are exempt from Romanian income tax on foreign income for stays up to 183 days in any 12-month period. After 183 days, tax residency triggers: flat 10% income tax applies. ^[4]

Highly Skilled Employment — EU Blue Card

• Official name: Cartea Albastră a UE
• Conditions: University degree or 5+ years experience. Employment contract ≥1 year. Salary ≥ threshold (set at 1.5× national average). ^[5]
• Duration / renewal: Up to 2 years, renewable.
• Path to citizenship: 5 years → EU long-term residence → citizenship.
• Official source: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/eu-immigration-portal/eu-blue-card/eu-blue-card-romania_en
• Community verdict: Works well — standard Blue Card route.

Employment Residency — Single Permit

• Official name: Permis unic (Single Permit)
• Conditions: Job offer from Romanian employer. Labor market test may apply.
• Duration / renewal: Up to 2 years, renewable.
• Path to citizenship: 5 years residence → permanent residence → citizenship at 8 years.
• Official source: https://igi.mai.gov.ro/en
• Community verdict: Works well — standard EU work permit.

Citizenship

• Standard: 8 years of residence (2025 law: permanent residence now mandatory before applying) ^[6]
• Marriage to Romanian: 5 years (reduced from 8)
• Born in Romania: 5 years (reduced from 8)
• Language: Romanian proficiency (B1) — Latin language, easier for Romance-language speakers
• 2025 law introduced: mandatory permanent residence before citizenship + Romanian language test required for ALL routes (including ancestry-based reacquisition) ^[7]
• Dual citizenship: permitted

Tax

• Flat income tax: 10% (one of EU's lowest)
• Social contributions: 35% (25% employer + 10% employee)
• Corporate tax: 16% (3% for micro-enterprises with revenue ≤€500,000 and ≥1 employee)
• Dividend tax: 8%
• DN holders: 0% tax on foreign income under 183 days; 10% flat rate after tax residence established ^[8]

IT / Digital Nomad

Romania's digital nomad visa (see above) is one of Europe's standout offerings. With Europe's fastest broadband, low cost of living, full Schengen access, and a flat 10% tax (or 0% under 183-day rule), Romania is highly competitive. Major tech hubs: Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Iași. Significant IT sector and English-speaking tech workforce.

Yacht / Maritime

Black Sea coastline (Constanța). Danube River access. Limited yachting infrastructure compared to Mediterranean countries. Yacht registration under Romanian flag available.

Notes for RU Citizens

The digital nomad visa is open to Russian nationals — one of the more accessible EU routes. Romanian language (Latin-based) is significantly easier for Slavs with any Romance-language exposure. No special RU restrictions beyond standard EU sanctions. Small but growing Russian-speaking community in Bucharest.