Comprehensive Guide to Romanian citizenship by descent in 2025

Last updated: 31 January 2025.

Introduction

Romanian citizenship by descent offers a straightforward path for individuals with Romanian ancestry to reclaim their heritage and secure EU citizenship. In 2025, the process remains accessible, but navigating the legal requirements efficiently is key. This guide breaks down the eligibility criteria, required documents, and step-by-step procedures to help you obtain Romanian citizenship with confidence.

Contents

• Eligibility

  • Scenario 1: the direct descendant lost the citizenship due to his fault

  • Scenario 2: the direct descendant lost the citizenship due to reasons not related to his fault

• Advantages

• Requirements

  • Requirement 1: Show loyalty through your behavior and actions

  • Requirement 2: You are at least 18 years of age

  • Requirement 3: You have the financial resources for a decent living

  • Requirement 4: You have good behavior

• Requirements you are not required to fulfil

• How to obtain the Romanian citizenship by descent

  • Step 1: the Romanian citizenship application

    • The supporting documents

    • Where to apply

  • Step 2: Collection of biometric data

  • Step 3: Completing the insufficient documentation

  • Step 4: Scheduling the documentation reviewing date

  • Step 5: Rescheduling the documentation reviewing date

  • Step 6: Scheduling the interview date

    • Expediting the procedure

  • Step 7: The citizenship decision

    • Refusing to grant the Romanian citizenship

    • Granting the Romanian citizenship

  • Step 8: The oath of allegiance

  • Step 9: Getting the temporary citizenship certificate

  • Step 10: Getting the Romanian citizenship card

• Our services

• Frequently asked questions

  • What are the benefits of obtaining the Romanian citizenship?

  • Are all Romanian citizens equal?

  • Do I have the right to live and work within EU, EEA and Switzerland?

  • Can I buy Romanian land?

  • How long it will take to obtain the Romanian citizenship?

Eligibility

One of your ascendant has to be a Romanian citizen.

There are two situations:

• the direct descendant of the Romanian ascendant (the direct child) has lost the Romanian citizenship due to his fault.

• the direct descendant of the Romanian ascendant (the direct child) has lost the Romanian citizenship due to reasons not related to his fault.

In both scenarios you have to choose whether you would like to keep you residence in your home country or you would like to move to Romania.

Scenario 1: the direct descendant lost the citizenship due to his fault

In this scenario, the Romanian ascendant can be as far as your grandfather.

The direct descendant, which is the child of the Romanian ascendant, lost the citizenship because of his own actions, such has he waived the Romanian citizenship by his own will.

Scenario 2: the direct descendant lost the citizenship due to reasons not related to his fault

In the second scenario, the Romanian ascendant can be as far as your grand-grandfather.

The direct descendant, which is the child of the Romanian ascendant, lost the citizenship due to reasons no related to his fault, such as he was born outside of Romania and their parents did not register his birth with Romanian authorities, thus the direct descendant lost the Romanian citizenship.

Advantages

Applying for Romanian citizenship by descent is advantageous because you have to fulfil fewer requirements than a regular foreigner.

Also, a second advantage is that you can apply for Romanian citizenship from outside of Romania, at the Romanian embassy of your country of residence and obtaining it without leaving your country of residence.

Requirements

As mentioned, the requirements for Romanian citizenship by descent, are easier and fewer than applying as a regular foreigner.

Requirement 1: 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 2: 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 3: You have the financial resources for a decent living

This requirement is only applicable in case of scenario 1 (the direct descendant of the Romanian ascendant lost the citizenship due to his fault) and only if you choose to live in Romania and not stay in your home country.

You must provide proof of a gross income of at least EUR 810 per month.

Requirement 4: 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.

Requirements you are not required to fulfil

To really appreciate why you should apply for Romanian citizenship by descent, you have to understand the requirements that regular foreigners are required to fulfil, but you are excepted from.

Those requirements applicable to others, but not to you:

• legally reside in Romania for any amount of time;

• knowledge of Romanian language and culture;

• knowledge of the Romanian constitution and national anthem.

• you can only apply within Romania, at the Citizenship Commission, which operates under the Romanian National Authority for Citizenship.

How to obtain the Romanian citizenship by descent

Here we will only briefly describe the procedure, emphasizing the differences for obtaining the Romanian citizenship by descent.

If you would like to know more details, you can check our comprehensive guide on how to get Romanian citizenship.

Step 1: the Romanian citizenship application

Initially, you can also submit the Romanian citizenship application and its supporting documents at the Romanian embassy in your country of residence.

The supporting documents

Alongside the Romanian citizenship application, you have to provide the following supporting documentation:

• proof of payment of the citizenship card tax, which is EUR 18;

• affidavit for the processing of personal data;

• passport (copy and original);

• police criminal record from the country of residence;

• your birth certificate;

• the Romanian ascendant's birth or death certificate;

• the birth certificates of your minor children;

• the notarized approval of both parents for your minor children obtaining the Romanian citizenship;

• the notarized consent of your minor children which are above 14 years old approving the obtaining of the Romanian citizenship. The notarization has to be done in the presence of at least one of the parents.

• only in case of scenario 1 (direct descendant lost the citizenship due to his fault): proof of the date of losing the Romanian citizenship by the direct descendant, which can be one of the following:

  • affidavit from the Romanian embassy of your home country;

  • affidavit from the Romanian Passport General Directorate;

  • copy of the Romanian government resolution approving the waiving of the Romanian citizenship.

All of the above birth and/or death certificates and the police criminal record have to be apostilled or supra-legalized, then translated into Romanian by an authorized translator and the Romanian translation notarized.

The application and affidavits 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.

Where to apply

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.

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.

Before this date, the president may request information from any authorities regarding the fulfillment of requirements 1 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

At the documentation reviewing date, if the supporting documents are sufficient and all requirements have been reviewed and met, the president will schedule your interview date.

Expediting the procedure

If the direct descendant lost the Romanian citizenship 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.

If you live in Romania, 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 live outside of Romania and you chose to maintain your residence there, you will take the oath of allegiance to Romania at the Romanian embassy or consulate in your home country. Or, if you choose to take the oath in Romania, then the approval of the Romanian embassy will be required.

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:

• The right to vote and run for office in Romanian government bodies;

• The right to reside and move freely within Romania;

• The right to purchase land in Romania;

• The right to hold public office;

• Protection from expulsion and extradition, with certain exceptions;

• Diplomatic protection while abroad.

You will also have the following obligations:

• The obligation to remain loyal to Romania;

• 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.