Update your business activities to NACE rev. 2.1 starting with 2025

Published on: 24 March 2025.

What are the NACE business codes?

NACE is the standard classification of economic activities within the EU.

The NACE business codes are important because they are used to define the type of businesses a Romanian business can carry out.

They are usually determined by the business founders at the moment of business registration, but can be changed afterwards.

NACE business code example

For example, if your Romanian company carries out computer programming activities, then the corresponding NACE rev. 2.1 code is 62.10.

Here in Romania we remove the dot so the NACE code 62.10 - computer programming activities - becomes NACE code 6210.

The NACE code can be found in the constitutive act of the Romanian company and if it is a main activity, then also in its incorporation certificate.

Starting with 01 January 2025, you have to update the NACE business codes

Starting with 01 January 2025, Romania adopted the NACE rev. 2.1, which is the latest at the EU level.

If you run a business in Romania registered prior to 01 January 2025, you need to update the registered NACE business codes to rev. 2.1.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between NACE rev. 2.1 and NACE rev. 3?

You might notice that here in Romania we refer to NACE rev. 2.1 as CAEN rev. 3. The versioning is misleading, but you have to remember that in Romania rev. 2.1 was renamed to rev. 3.

In Romania, NACE rev. 2.1 and NACE / CAEN rev. 3 are identical.

Within this article, we refer to it as rev. 2.1, which is the agreed naming at the EU level.

Where do I find the list of the NACE rev. 2.1 codes?

You can consult the list on the website of the Romanian National Institute of Statistics (INS). It can be accessed here.

The corresponding table between the former classification, rev. 2, and current one, rev. 2.1, can be found here.

For the English version, you can find the NACE rev. 2.1 here.

Where can I update the business codes to NACE rev. 2.1?

As a general rule, you must follow an update process in front of the competent authority where your business is registered.

If your business is registered to the Romanian Trade Registry, ONRC, the update must be done in relation to this authority.

It can be done as a standalone update process or when you intend to change other elements within the business.

If your business was registered to the Romanian Tax Authority, ANAF, then a special form must be lodged to ANAF.

Do I receive official documents evidencing the business codes?

The Romanian Trade Registry, ONRC, shall issue an updated certificate of incorporation evidencing the code of the main business activity.

The Romanian Tax Authority, ANAF, shall issue an updated registration certificate exhibiting the updated NACE code, only if the entity has such certificate containing the NACE code, if the case.

What's the deadline?

The law stipulates an 18 month implementation period.

Therefore, the NACE codes must be changed in 18 months starting with 01 January 2025.

After this period, the public and private actors shall be bound to accept only official documents evidencing the NACE codes rev. 2.1.

We suggest updating the business codes as soon as possible.

Why is it important to update to NACE rev. 2.1 classification?

Although the law does not regulate any sanction in case of not complying with the rev. 2.1 classification, the update may impact the business in case of non-compliance.

Updating to NACE rev. 2.1 update is important for:

• Applying or updating any permits, licenses or authorizations required for the business activities;

• Applying for a business bank account or updating the information registered in the bank's database;

• Applying or updating the application or file for any UE or national grants, including government subsidies;

• General compliance required by the different Romanian authorities or agencies (e.g., Romanian Tax Authority - ANAF);

• Good business relations with local or foreign commercial partners.