🇷🇴 Romania visa and immigration options

D/AM1 or D/AM2 Long-Stay Work Visa (GEO 32/2026)

MAJOR REFORM FLAG: Romania replaced its older employment and secondment permit system with GEO 32/2026, introducing two long-stay work visa routes. D/AM1 covers highly qualified workers, specialists, and other special categories designated by law.

Processing time

Not independently confirmed for this build under the new regime.

Typical costs

Not independently confirmed for this build.

Government fees

Fee not independently confirmed for this build under the new GEO 32/2026 regime; confirm current amounts via WorkinRomania.gov.ro or the Romanian Immigration Inspectorate (IGI).

Work and study rights

Tied to the specific employer and route named on the visa.

Family

Family members need a separate residence permit (GEO 194/2002) and, if they want to work, a separate work authorization renewed annually — the family permit alone does not grant work rights.

Important: GEO 32/2026 is a recent, substantial overhaul of Romania's entire work-visa system — detailed eligibility criteria, fees, and processing times for the new D/AM1 and D/AM2 routes were not fully confirmed in available sources. Confirm current specifics directly via WorkinRomania.gov.ro before relying on older employment/secondment permit information, which…

Sources reviewed: https://nestlersgroup.com/blogs/family-work-rights-dependents-permit-holders-romania-2026

D/SD Long-Stay Study Visa

Requires full-time enrolment and an acceptance letter from a Romanian institution, proof of tuition payment for at least one academic year, a bank statement showing funds at the level of Romania's minimum guaranteed gross salary for the full visa period (commonly cited as roughly USD 5,000-6,000, though subject to change), travel medical insurance with at…

Processing time

Not independently confirmed; apply for the visa within 60 days of receiving the acceptance letter, and pay the first year's tuition within the same 60-day window.

Typical costs

EUR 120 visa fee plus tuition for the first year and the required bank-statement funds.

Government fees

EUR 120 — Approximately EUR 120; free for holders of Romanian Government Scholarships.

Work and study rights

Not independently confirmed for this build; check current work rights for student-visa holders with the Romanian Immigration Inspectorate.

Family

Dependants are not typically included on a student visa; a separate family route would apply.

Important: requirements and procedures vary by country of application — check eviza.mae.ro for your specific country's requirements, since the exact funds figure (USD 5,000-6,000 cited) 'may change' per the source itself.

Sources reviewed: https://international.upt.ro/en/international-students/students-from-countries-outside-the-eu-eea-or-the-swiss-confederation/2025-2026/visa-for-studies/

Golden Visa (Investor Residence Program — NOT YET LAUNCHED)

as of this research, Romania's Golden Visa investment-residence program has NOT launched — it remains under development with no confirmed start date or finalized legislation. Draft proposals cite a minimum investment of around EUR 400,000 across government bonds, real estate, authorized investment funds, or listed company shares, held for the full residence…

Processing time

Not applicable — the program has not launched.

Typical costs

Not confirmed; draft proposals suggest EUR 400,000+ in investment plus several thousand EUR in estimated (unconfirmed) fees.

Government fees

No official fee structure has been published; draft estimates suggest EUR 100-300 government application fees plus EUR 50-100 for permit issuance, but these are NOT official figures.

Work and study rights

Not applicable — the program has not launched.

Family

Not applicable — the program has not launched; draft proposals suggest dependants would need additional processing and permit fees similar to the main applicant.

Important: do not treat any figure in this entry as reliable — the entire program is unlaunched and speculative as of this research. A separate, functioning general business-visa route exists for registering a company and conducting business activity in Romania; confirm whether that conventional route fits your needs instead of waiting on the Golden Visa.

Sources reviewed: https://citizenremote.com/visas/romania-golden-visa/

Family Reunification Residence Permit (GEO 194/2002)

Covers spouses and dependents of a sponsor holding a Romanian temporary residence permit valid for 1+ year. The sponsor must meet an income threshold at or above the minimum gross wage for each family member.

Processing time

Not independently confirmed for this build.

Typical costs

Not independently confirmed for this build.

Government fees

Fee not independently confirmed for this build; confirm with the Romanian Immigration Inspectorate (IGI) or the relevant consulate.

Work and study rights

No automatic work rights — a separate, annually-renewed work authorization is required for dependents who want to work.

Family

Covers spouse and dependents; working without the separate authorization is unauthorized employment for both the individual and any employer.

Important: a family reunification permit is commonly assumed to include work rights, but in Romania it explicitly does NOT — confirm the separate work-authorization process with your employer before assuming a dependent can work on the family permit alone.

Sources reviewed: https://nestlersgroup.com/blogs/family-work-rights-dependents-permit-holders-romania-2026

Long-Term Residence Permit

Requires 5 years of legal, continuous residence in Romania immediately before applying (a break in residence could disqualify you), earnings at or above the national minimum gross salary for at least 12 months (exempt for foreign family members of Romanian citizens), valid social health insurance, legal proof of housing, and at least a satisfactory command…

Processing time

Not independently confirmed for this build.

Typical costs

Not independently confirmed for this build.

Government fees

Fee not independently confirmed for this build; confirm with the Romanian Immigration Inspectorate (IGI).

Work and study rights

Full, unrestricted work and study rights.

Family

Dependants may apply through family reunification once you hold this status.

Sources reviewed: https://www.legit.ng/people/1734613-romania-lists-7-conditions-foreigners-meet-long-term-residence/

Romanian Citizenship by Naturalization

Standard naturalization requires 8 years of legal residence (5 years for EU citizens, 4 years for refugees, 1 year for spouses of Romanian citizens); applicants of Romanian origin can skip the residence period entirely. Requires passing a B1-level Romanian language test (EUR 100-150, taken at ANC-approved centers, with exemptions for those over 65, certain…

Processing time

Not independently confirmed for this build.

Typical costs

EUR 100-150 for the language test; application fee not independently confirmed.

Government fees

Fee not independently confirmed for this build; language-test fee is EUR 100-150 separately.

Work and study rights

Full rights as a Romanian and EU citizen upon naturalization.

Family

Minor children may be included in a parent's application under certain conditions.

Important: Romania significantly tightened citizenship requirements recently — the B1 language test and biometric data requirements took effect in 2025 (biometrics started September 2024), and failing to report an address change within the new rules can lead to fines or even citizenship denial/revocation. Confirm your current compliance obligations are up to date…

Sources reviewed: https://www.visaverge.com/immigration/romania-plans-new-rules-to-tighten-path-to-citizenship/

Visit Romania (Short-Stay Visa)

Romania applies the common EU short-stay framework for tourist/business visits (or visa-free entry for exempt nationalities) for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Processing time

Typically up to 15 calendar days, longer if additional documents are requested.

Typical costs

EUR 90 visa fee (where a visa is required) plus travel insurance.

Government fees

EUR 90 — Standard short-stay visa fee range (EUR 45 for children 6-12), consistent with the broader Schengen-area framework Romania participates in; confirm the exact current fee with your nearest Romanian consulate.

Work and study rights

No work rights; business visitors are limited to short-stay-permitted activities.

Family

Dependants travelling together apply individually under the same visa type.

Sources reviewed: Standard EU/Schengen-adjacent short-stay visa framework