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How to get Romanian citizenship in 2025
Introduction
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of obtaining Romanian citizenship in 2025, covering eligibility requirements, necessary documents, application timelines, and common challenges. Whether you're an expat, a descendant of Romanian citizens, or exploring new opportunities in Europe, this step-by-step resource is designed to help you navigate the process confidently and efficiently.
Contents
Requirements
Requirement 1: Legally reside in Romania
This requirement does not apply if you are a descendant of a Romanian citizen.
You must legally reside in Romania for 8 years.
If you are married to a Romanian citizen, the period is reduced to 5 years.
The period will be further halved if, alternatively:
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you are an internationally recognized personality.
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you are a citizen of an EU member state.
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you have obtained refugee status.
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you have invested more than EUR 1 million in Romania.
If you fall into one of the above categories, the 8-year requirement is reduced to 4 years, or if married to a Romanian citizen, the 5-year requirement is reduced to 2 years and 6 months.
If you reside outside of Romania for more than 6 months in a given year, that year will not count toward the residency requirement.
Requirement 2: Show loyalty through your behavior and actions
You must show loyalty through your behavior and actions towards the Romanian government and its citizens.
You should not support or engage in activities that disrupt public order or threaten national security.
You need to declare that you have not engaged in similar actions in the past.
Requirement 3: You are at least 18 years of age
To apply for Romanian citizenship, you must be at least 18 years old, as this is the age of adulthood in Romania.
Requirement 4: You have the financial resources for a decent living
This requirement does not apply if you are a descendant of a Romanian citizen whose citizenship was lost through no fault of their own.
You must provide proof of a gross income of at least EUR 810 per month.
Requirement 5: You have good behavior
You are recognized for your good behavior.
You have not been charged with any crime that would disqualify you from obtaining Romanian citizenship, either in Romania or abroad.
Requirement 6: You know Romanian language and culture
This requirement does not apply if you are a descendant of a Romanian citizen.
You must know the Romanian language.
You need to understand basic concepts of Romanian culture and society, sufficient for integration into Romanian social life.
Requirement 7: You know the Romanian constitution and national anthem
This requirement does not apply if you are a descendant of a Romanian citizen.
You must be familiar with the Romanian constitution.
You need to learn the Romanian national anthem.
Step 1: File the Romanian citizenship application
After gathering all the documents proving you meet the citizenship requirements, you can apply for Romanian citizenship.
The application, along with its supporting documents, is submitted to the Citizenship Commission, which operates under the Romanian National Authority for Citizenship.
The application must be submitted in person.
If you are a descendant of a Romanian citizen, you can also submit the application and its supporting documents at the Romanian embassy in your country of residence.
The application must be in Romanian or bilingual.
We typically draft the application in both Romanian and English to ensure you understand what you are signing.
We will assist and advise you in gathering the necessary supporting documentation to meet the requirements.
Foreign supporting documentation has to be apostilled or supra-legalized
Any supporting documentation issued by a foreign authority must be apostilled by the respective foreign government authorities.
If apostille is not regulated in that country, the supporting documentation must be supra-legalized by the competent Romanian embassy or consulate, or by the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
We will assist with the apostille process and represent you in your absence before any Romanian authority, if required, for the supra-legalization of any documents.
Step 2: Collection of biometric data
When applying for Romanian citizenship, your biometric data will be collected.
This data includes a personal facial photograph and digital fingerprints.
Children under 14 years old are exempt from this requirement.
The biometric data will be permanently destroyed after the citizenship process is complete.
Step 3: Completing the insufficient documentation
If the president of the Citizenship Commission determines that certain supporting documents are missing, he will issue a resolution requesting the completion of the documentation.
If the requested documents are not submitted within 6 months following the notification of the completion resolution, the Romanian citizenship application will be rejected.
Step 4: Scheduling the documentation reviewing date
If all documentation is complete, the president of the Citizenship Commission will set a date to review the supporting documents.
On this date, all requirements will be assessed based on the supporting documents, excluding requirements 6 and 7 (knowledge of the Romanian language and culture, and the Romanian constitution and anthem).
Before this date, the president may request information from any authorities regarding the fulfillment of requirements 2 and 4 (loyalty to the Romanian government and good behavior).
Step 5: Rescheduling the documentation reviewing date
If the president believes certain individuals need to be heard regarding the fulfillment of the requirements, those individuals will be summoned, and the document review date will be rescheduled.
Step 6: Scheduling the interview date
If the supporting documents are sufficient and all requirements have been reviewed and met, the president will schedule your interview date.
During this interview, requirements 6 and 7 will be assessed, which include knowledge of the Romanian language and culture, as well as the Romanian constitution and anthem.
Expediting the procedure
If you are a descendant of a Romanian citizen whose citizenship was lost through no fault of their own, steps 4, 5, and 6 will be expedited.
Step 7: The citizenship decision
Refusing to grant the Romanian citizenship
Romanian citizenship will be denied if the requirements are not fulfilled.
If rejected, a new application for Romanian citizenship can be submitted no sooner than 6 months after the rejection date.
The rejection decision can be appealed within 15 days at the Bucharest Tribunal.
Granting the Romanian citizenship
If you meet all the requirements and pass the interview, the president of the National Authority for Citizenship will issue the order granting Romanian citizenship.
Step 8: The oath of allegiance
Romanian citizenship is not granted on the date the order is issued, but on the date you take the oath of allegiance.
The order will specify the scheduled date for taking the oath of allegiance.
You will take the oath of allegiance to Romania in front of the president of the National Authority for Citizenship or one of its two vice-presidents.
If you are a descendant of a Romanian citizen, you can take the oath of allegiance at the Romanian embassy or consulate in your home country.
The oath of allegiance is in Romanian and translates to: " I swear to be devoted to my homeland and to the Romanian people, to defend the national rights and interests, to respect the Constitution and the laws of Romania".
Your minor children are not required to take the oath of allegiance.
The oath ceremony is recorded in audio and video. These recordings are retained for one year or until any related court case is resolved, after which they are permanently destroyed.
Step 9: Getting the temporary citizenship certificate
After taking the oath of allegiance, you will receive a temporary Romanian citizenship certificate. This certificate will confirm your Romanian citizenship and is valid for 60 days.
Step 10: Getting the Romanian citizenship card
The Romanian citizenship card will be issued within 60 days after you take the oath of allegiance. This card will serve as permanent proof of your Romanian citizenship.
Our services
You don't need to remember all the details above, feel free to contact us for assistance in obtaining Romanian citizenship.
Having helped numerous clients secure Romanian citizenship, we possess the necessary expertise regarding the required supporting documents and how to handle any issues that may arise during the process.
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of obtaining the Romanian citizenship?
Upon obtaining Romanian citizenship, you will gain the following rights:
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The right to vote and run for office in Romanian government bodies;
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The right to reside and move freely within Romania;
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The right to purchase land in Romania;
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The right to hold public office;
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Protection from expulsion and extradition, with certain exceptions;
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Diplomatic protection while abroad.
You will also have the following obligations:
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The obligation to remain loyal to Romania;
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The obligation to defend Romania.
Are all Romanian citizens equal?
All Romanian citizens are equal, regardless of race, religion, gender, or how they acquired citizenship.
Do I have the right to live and work within EU, EEA and Switzerland?
Because Romania is part of the EU, you have the right to live and work without restrictions in any EU or EEA country, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
You also have these rights in Switzerland, which is not part of the EU or EEA but is part of the single market.
Your right to live and work is unrestricted and equivalent to the rights of native citizens in these EU and EEA countries, as well as in Switzerland.
Can I buy Romanian land?
As a Romanian citizen, you can purchase land in Romania without any restrictions.
If you do not hold Romanian citizenship, you can still acquire land indirectly by owning a Romanian company.
If you're interested in establishing a Romanian company, refer to our complete guide to company formation in Romania.
How long it will take to obtain the Romanian citizenship?
It can last between 6 months and 18 months.
Does marrying a Romanian citizen grant Romanian citizenship?
No, marrying a Romanian citizen will not automatically grant you Romanian citizenship.
However, it can reduce the required residency period in Romania from 8 years to 5 years.
This residency requirement does not apply to descendants of Romanian citizens.