Obtaining residence in Romania is possible for long-term and short-term purposes, with differences between EU/EEA foreign nationals and non-EU/EEA citizens. Our immigration lawyer in Romania can guide you throughout your residence permit application process.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Short stay visa | The short-stay visa is for individuals who plan to stay in Romania for a short period of time, not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period. |
| Available types of short-term visas | – tourism, – business, – sport activities, – transportation, – short-term medical treatment, – cultural activities. |
| Short-term visa exemptions | Citizens of certain states may enter Romania without a visa if they meet specific criteria; Our immigration lawyers can provide those exceptions. |
| Invitation requirement (YES/NO) | YES, depending on the country of origin |
| Long-term visa for employment | Valid for 90 days with one or multiple entries. |
| Documents required for immigration | – application form, – ID documents, – criminal record, – proof of income, – visa, – proof of fee payment, etc. |
| Conditions for long-term residence in Romania | Continuous residence for the last 5 years (less than 6 consecutive months and not exceeding a total of 10 months). |
| Validity for long-term residence permit | 5 years, with a 10-year exception for family members of Romanian citizens. |
| Obtaining residence permit | Submit documents at least 30 days before the expiration of the residence right granted by the visa. |
| Visa revoked or annulled (YES/NO) | YES |
| Ineligible categories for residence visa | – foreigners with temporary study visa, – individuals seeking asylum, – individuals receiving humanitarian protection, – diplomatic workers. |
| How to obtain Romanian citizenship | – by birth, – by adoption, – by request. |
| Residency requirements for citizenship | at least 8 years |
| Advantages of moving to Romania | – EU member, – visa-free travel, – affordable cost of living, – cultural experience, – public education system, etc. |
| Assistance | If you wish to relocate to Romania, we can help you with the procedures. |
Non-EEA citizens are required to obtain a long-term residence permit (as described below in two essential steps).
Citizens of an EU Member State can freely enter Romania, and they may remain in the country for more than three months. However, when choosing to do so, they are also required to register their residency (and provide proof of adequate income and accommodation) with the Romanian immigration authorities.
Foreign nationals who move to Romania can do so for various purposes, as listed below by our Romanian immigration lawyers:
The infographic below summarizes the application steps for those looking to obtain residence in Romania:
Foreign, non-EU nationals who want to move to Romania will follow two distinct and important steps:
As seen above, the long-term visa and the long-term residence permit are inextricably linked.
If you want to relocate to Romania in 2026, based on a visa type D issued for a specific purpose, you will submit general documents and visa-specific documents.
Some examples of visa-specific documents are listed below by our team:
Yes. Your spouse or other family members may join you in Romania, provided that they obtain their own right to reside in the country.
The following documents are submitted in case of the spouse of a non-EU citizen who has the right to reside in Romania and is therefore considered the applicant’s sponsor:
We invite you to watch a short video about the residence permit in Romania:
A Romanian long-term residence permit is valid for 5 years or 10 years for the family members of a Romanian citizen.
Some categories of foreigners cannot obtain a residence permit in Romania, derived from a visa type D, as mentioned above:
Understanding the differences between the available types of visas is important for foreign nationals planning on remaining in Romania for long-term purposes.
Contact our immigration lawyer in Romania if you have questions about the residence permit, permanent residency, or require assistance during these applications in 2026.
For more information and guidance on obtaining the long-term residence permit that allows you to immigrate to Romania, please do not hesitate to contact our immigration lawyers in Bucharest. We offer free judicial consultation.
