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Entry visa for non-EU nationals to begin working; must be converted to a residence permit within 90 days. Requires a job offer from a Romanian employer.
Requires employer sponsorship and a valid employment contract. Renewable annually while employment continues.
Available to non-EU nationals only; requires a highly qualified job offer with salary at least 1.5x the national average. After 18 months, holder can move to other EU member states.
Requires 5 continuous years of legal residence in Romania. EU citizens qualify after 5 years; non-EU nationals must hold temporary permits throughout that period.
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens have the right to live and work freely. Register with local authorities within 3 months of arrival.
Romania is an EU member state (since 2007) and part of the Schengen Area (since 2024), making it attractive for expats seeking EU access with relatively lower cost of living. EU/EEA citizens can live and work freely with a simple registration requirement. Non-EU nationals need a Long Stay Visa (D type) followed by a Temporary Residence Permit, available for employment, business, family reunification, and study purposes. Romania became a popular destination for IT professionals and digital nomads.
Non-EU workers need an employer-sponsored work permit (Autorizatie de Munca) prior to visa application. The employer applies through the General Inspectorate for Immigration, and Romania maintains an annual quota for foreign worker admissions. IT specialists and highly skilled workers in shortage occupations have a streamlined process. The EU Blue Card is available for eligible high-skilled non-EU professionals.
Family reunification allows spouses, registered partners, and children under 18 of legal residents to obtain a residence permit. The primary holder must have resided legally for at least 1 year (6 months for EU Blue Card holders) and demonstrate adequate housing and income. Dependents receive a temporary residence permit valid for the same duration as the primary holder.
Romania has a flat personal income tax rate of 10% on most income, one of the lowest in the EU. There is a special 0% income tax exemption for IT professionals, construction workers, and agricultural sector employees (up to certain salary limits). Corporate tax is 16%, or 1-3% of turnover for micro-enterprises. Romania has tax treaties with over 90 countries.
Romania has a public healthcare system (CNAS) funded by social health contributions, available to legal residents enrolled in the system. Quality is variable and has improved in larger cities. Many expats prefer private clinics in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and other major cities, which are very affordable by Western standards. Private health insurance is recommended for peace of mind.
Opening a bank account in Romania requires a valid residence permit or right-to-stay document, passport, and Romanian fiscal code (CUI/CIF for businesses, CNP for individuals). Major banks include BCR (Banca Comerciala Romana), BRD (Societe Generale), Raiffeisen Bank, and ING Romania. Mobile banking is well developed. English is widely spoken in bank branches in major cities.
Romania offers a residency pathway for investors who make a significant economic contribution, though there is no formal golden visa program with specific minimum thresholds. Investors who establish companies and create at least 1 job can apply for a business residence permit. The Romanian government has discussed introducing a golden visa program but as of 2024 nothing has been formalized.