Romania (RO)

Romania is the largest country in Southeastern Europe — a full Schengen EU member state blessed with the dramatic Carpathian mountains, medieval Saxon towns like Sibiu and Brasov, the legendary Transylvania region, a booming technology sector, and one of the lowest costs of living in the European Union.

Capital: Bucharest

Region: Europe

Language: Romanian

Currency: RON (lei)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 38)

Emergency: 112

Visa & Immigration

Entry and residence options for Romania.

Visa-Free Access

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens do not need a visa and may work freely. Citizens of the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Israel and many other countries may enter visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period (Schengen rules, as Romania is fully in Schengen since January 2025). For stays longer than 90 days or to take up employment, a long-stay D visa and a residence permit are required.

All residence permits are issued by the Inspectoratul General pentru Imigrări (IGI; igi.mai.gov.ro). You must apply for the permit within 30 days of arrival, or before the visa expires. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens do not need a visa but must register with IGI after 3 months of residence and obtain a Certificat de Înregistrare. Long-term residence is available after 5 years of continuous legal stay; Romanian citizenship can be applied for after 8 years (or 5 for spouses of Romanian citizens). Overstaying a visa or residence permit leads to fines, removal and entry bans.

Long-stay Employment Visa

Viza de lungă ședere pentru angajare în muncă (D/AM)

~120 EUR (embassy visa fee) + ~120 EUR residence permit fee

Duration: 90 days entry, extendable via a residence permit (permis de ședere) of up to 1 year, renewable.

Eligibility

Non-EU citizens with a Romanian employer who has obtained a work authorisation (aviz de angajare) from IGI within the annual quota.

Processing time

30–60 days at the Romanian consulate; residence permit issued within 30 days at IGI

Requirements

✓Valid passport (at least 6 months validity)
✓Aviz de angajare issued by IGI to the employer
✓Employment contract or letter of intent
✓Proof of accommodation in Romania
✓Medical insurance valid in Romania
✓Clean criminal record certificate
✓Proof of professional qualifications

💡 Employer must first obtain the work authorisation before the applicant can apply. After arrival you must register with IGI within 30 days to receive the residence permit.

Studies Visa

Viza de lungă ședere pentru studii (D/SD)

~120 EUR (visa) + ~120 EUR (residence permit)

Duration: Valid for the duration of the academic programme, renewable annually.

Eligibility

Non-EU students accepted at an accredited Romanian university, college, or preparatory programme.

Processing time

30–45 days at the Romanian consulate

Requirements

✓Letter of Acceptance (Scrisoare de Acceptare) from the Romanian Ministry of Education
✓Proof of tuition payment
✓Proof of accommodation
✓Proof of means of subsistence (at least gross minimum wage per month)
✓Medical insurance
✓Clean criminal record

💡 Students under 26 are automatically covered by the public health insurance once enrolled. Students may work up to 4 hours/day without a separate work permit.

Family Reunification Visa

Viza de lungă ședere pentru reîntregirea familiei (D/VF)

~120 EUR (visa) + ~120 EUR (residence permit)

Duration: 90 days entry, then residence permit aligned with the sponsor (up to 5 years).

Eligibility

Spouse, minor children, or dependent parents of a Romanian citizen or of a non-EU citizen already holding a Romanian residence permit.

Processing time

30–60 days

Requirements

✓Marriage/birth certificates (legalised and translated)
✓Sponsor residence permit + proof of stable income
✓Proof of accommodation meeting minimum surface requirements
✓Medical insurance
✓Clean criminal record

💡 Spouses receive the right to work automatically through the residence permit. Romanian-citizen family members follow a simpler EU procedure via IGI after arrival.

Digital Nomad Visa

Digital Nomad

Viza de lungă ședere pentru nomazi digitali (D/DN)

~120 EUR (visa) + ~120 EUR (residence permit)

Duration: 12 months, renewable for an additional 12 months; leads to a residence permit.

Eligibility

Non-EU citizens employed or self-employed abroad who can perform their work remotely from Romania. Available since 2022.

Processing time

10–30 days at the Romanian consulate

Requirements

✓Employment contract with a foreign company OR proof of own foreign company/activity (at least 3 years old)
✓Proof of average monthly income of at least 3x Romania's gross average salary (~29,604 RON/month ≈ EUR 5,900 in 2026, based on INS Q4 2025 data of 9,868 RON national average — updated quarterly by INS) over the past 6 months
✓Valid medical insurance (min. 30,000 EUR cover)
✓Proof of accommodation in Romania
✓Clean criminal record
✓Declaration that the applicant does not intend to perform work for Romanian employers or clients

💡 Digital nomads are exempt from Romanian income tax and social contributions during their stay, provided their tax residency remains abroad and they stay fewer than 183 days in a 12-month period. Family members can accompany under the family reunification track.

EU Blue Card

Blue Card

Cartea Albastră a UE

~120 EUR (visa) + ~120 EUR (residence permit)

Duration: Up to 2 years (or the duration of the contract + 3 months), renewable.

Eligibility

Non-EU graduates with a higher-education degree (or 5+ years equivalent experience in ICT) who have a Romanian employment contract meeting the minimum salary threshold.

Processing time

30–60 days (combined consular and IGI stage)

Requirements

✓Recognised university degree (processed via CNRED)
✓Employment contract of at least 6 months with a gross monthly salary of at least 1.5x the gross national average wage (~14,802 RON/month ≈ EUR 2,960 in 2026, based on 1.5 × 9,868 RON national average — updated quarterly; confirmed at approximately EUR 2,743/month in 2023)
✓Proof of health insurance
✓Clean criminal record

💡 Simplifies intra-EU mobility: after 18 months in Romania you may move to another EU member state under the Blue Card scheme. Family members receive an immediate right to work. After 33 months of continuous legal residence in the EU (21 months with Romanian B1 language) the holder can apply for long-term EU residence.

Premium Section

Visa & Immigration

Unlock the complete Visa & Immigration guide for Romania — including every detail, document, tip and link you need.

Become a Supporter

Support the guide on Ko-fi · Unlocks every premium section, everywhere