How to Relocate to Romania for Permanent Residence: Best Methods

Relocation to Romania for permanent residence is possible through several main pathways: employment, business establishment, education, as well as investments in real estate or the country’s economy. Each of these routes requires compliance with specific conditions, such as holding a long-term residence permit and meeting income or qualification requirements. For example, employment requires a work contract and qualification confirmation, while business establishment requires company registration and capital investment in the country’s economy.

To obtain permanent residence in Romania, one must reside in the country for 5 years with a temporary residence permit. This period assumes continuous residence in Romania without significant interruptions: absence from the country must not exceed 6 consecutive months and no more than 10 months in total. After residing in Romania for at least 5 years with permanent resident status, you may apply for citizenship. There is also a simplified procedure for obtaining Romanian citizenship.

Requirements for Relocation to Romania

To obtain a residence permit and permanent residence in Romania, it is necessary to first obtain a long-term visa depending on the purpose of stay. The visa application is submitted to the Romanian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Upon arrival in the country, you have 30 days to register the visa with the local office of the General Inspectorate for Immigration and submit documents for a residence permit.

Relocation for permanent residence to Romania is possible on one of the following grounds: employment, entrepreneurial activity, studies, family reunification, or investments. To obtain long-term status, it is necessary to provide proof of a reliable source of income, insurance policy, and evidence of property ownership or rental. Basic knowledge of Romanian language is also required, and the applicant must not pose a threat to public order and national security.

Grounds for Obtaining Permanent Residence in Romania

Permanent residence can be obtained after five years of continuous residence in Romania based on a residence permit. It is important to comply with all migration law requirements during this period. The grounds for applying for a residence permit are:

• Employment. If you work in Romania based on a long-term contract, you have the right to apply for permanent residence after 5 years of continuous residence based on a residence permit. The employer must provide officially registered employment contracts and documents confirming tax payments and social protection. You must also submit documents for accommodation and medical insurance.
• Entrepreneurship and Investments. Founders and business owners who have invested in Romania’s economy may also apply for permanent residence. Proof of investments of at least EUR 1 million in the country’s economy or creation of at least 100 jobs is required.
• Education. International students who have completed studies at accredited universities and continue to legally reside in Romania on other grounds may partially count their study period when applying for permanent residence.
• Family Reunification. Family members of Romanian citizens or other foreigners already residing in the country based on permanent residence may also obtain permanent resident status.
• Humanitarian Protection. According to Government Decision No. 194/2002, foreign nationals holding refugee status in Romania or having received other forms of humanitarian protection may apply for permanent residence after 5 years of continuous and legal stay in the country based on a temporary residence permit.

Simple and Fast Method of Relocation to Romania

Immigration to Romania is possible through a simplified procedure. The advantage of this method is that you can directly obtain Romanian citizenship and immediately enjoy all rights and privileges of EU residents, including access to the labor market, residence and education in other European Union countries without additional permits.

How to Relocate to Romania: Relocation Stages

Relocation to Romania includes several key stages, starting with document preparation and visa obtaining, ending with medical insurance arrangement and property transportation. After this, it is important to find suitable housing and employment, considering local conditions and salary levels.

Document Preparation

First of all, you will need a foreign passport that must be valid throughout the entire planned period of stay in the country. Passports with expiring validity are not accepted and must be renewed in advance. Documents confirming the purpose of the trip depend on the chosen ground:

• employment contract, if you are relocating for work;
• invitation from an educational institution, if the purpose is education;
• business registration documents, if entrepreneurial activity is planned.

All documents must be notarized and translated into Romanian. It is also necessary to provide documents indicating sufficient financial means for residence in Romania.

Visa Obtaining

Entry to Romania for immigration purposes requires obtaining a long-term visa (type D). A long-term visa allows stay in the country for more than 90 days and is a mandatory condition for subsequent residence permit application. The application process takes place at the Romanian embassy or consulate in your country of residence and requires submission of a document package, such as passport, birth certificate, confirmation of travel purpose, bank statements showing account status. Visa application processing usually takes from several weeks to a month depending on the specific case and consulate workload.

Medical Insurance Arrangement

A medical insurance policy is mandatory for obtaining a residence permit in Romania. Insurance must cover basic medical services, including hospitalization, emergency care, and outpatient treatment throughout the European Union territory. The policy can be arranged in the country of residence or directly in Romania, but it is important that it remains valid throughout your stay in the country and has coverage of at least EUR 30,000.

Document Preparation for Property Transportation

The process of arranging documents for personal belongings transportation to Romania begins with preparing a customs declaration, which must be presented to border services immediately upon cargo arrival. The main document used for registration and description of goods is the Single Administrative Document, which records information about goods movement from non-EU countries. Additionally, if you plan to declare goods or submit customs declarations, it is necessary to obtain an EORI number, which is mandatory for all who import goods from non-European Union countries.

Housing and Employment Search in Romania

Finding housing and employment in Romania requires a comprehensive approach and knowledge of the local market. Suitable apartments can be found using popular online platforms such as Imobiliare.ro, OLX.ro, and Storia.ro, which offer various apartment and house options. In major cities, such as Bucharest, as well as Cluj-Napoca and Timișoara, real estate agencies also operate to assist with rentals. It is better to start housing search in advance, especially if you plan relocation in August or September. During this period, there is increased demand for property rental, as many students and professionals actively search for apartments before the academic year and new work season begin. Starting the search earlier, in June or July, can provide more options and avoid competition that increases closer to autumn.

Rental costs depend on the city and location. In Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca, renting a one-bedroom apartment in the center costs EUR 500-600 per month, while in suburbs around EUR 400. In Timișoara, prices are more affordable: from EUR 300-400 per month depending on the area and rental conditions.

Employment in Romania can be found through popular online platforms in the country, such as eJobs, BestJobs, and Hipo, where vacancies in various sectors are published. Recruitment agencies, such as Adecco Romania and Manpower, also help with job searching and market adaptation. The most active periods in the labor market are September and the beginning of the calendar year (January-February), when companies most often open vacancies and launch new projects. Salary levels in the country depend on the sector and specialist qualification. In IT and financial sectors, especially in Bucharest, salaries can reach EUR 2,000-4,000 per month, making these areas most profitable for specialists. In other sectors, such as trade, logistics, and manufacturing, average salary levels range within EUR 1,000-1,500 per month.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Relocation to Romania

Immigration to Romania, like to any other country, has its advantages and disadvantages, which depend on many factors such as healthcare accessibility, educational opportunities for children, cost of living, and employment conditions.

Advantages of Living in Romania

• Affordable Cost of Living. Romania has quite low housing and product costs. In the country’s capital, Bucharest, monthly expenses for one person’s living average EUR 665, while a family of four would need EUR 2,317 per month. This is significantly less than in other European Union capitals. In Berlin, for example, one person needs about EUR 1,000 per month, and in Madrid EUR 800.
• Developed Education System. Romania has both state and private international schools. In major metropolitan areas such as Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca, there are international educational institutions that provide quality education in English, which is especially important for immigrant families.
• Accessible Healthcare. State medical services are included in the mandatory insurance policy, which covers basic treatment and diagnostic needs. Private clinics, despite higher prices, offer fast and quality service, so many foreign nationals acquire private medical insurance.
• Nature and Cultural Heritage. Romania is famous for its natural attractions: the Carpathians, Transylvanian forests, and the Black Sea. For those who value active recreation and nature, the country provides wide opportunities for travel and outdoor recreation.

Disadvantages of Living in Romania

• Limited Career Opportunities. Romania has good employment conditions in IT, finance, and telecommunications, however, in other sectors such as retail or manufacturing, salaries are significantly lower – from EUR 1,000 to 1,500 per month. This can be a limitation for immigrants who expect higher incomes.
• Language Barrier. Romanian is the official language, and its knowledge is necessary for successful adaptation. In major cities such as Bucharest, English is widespread, but in less tourist regions, Romanian usage may become mandatory for daily communication and solving bureaucratic issues.

Immigration to Romania is a process requiring time and careful preparation. It is important to remember that obtaining a residence permit or citizenship may take several years, as it is necessary to meet all migration requirements. However, for those who want to quickly legalize in Europe, there is a simplified procedure that significantly reduces the time for obtaining citizenship.

Holding an EU passport gives you the right to free movement, work, study, and residence in any of the 27 European Union countries without the need to obtain additional visas or work permits. This also opens access to social protection, free or subsidized healthcare, as well as education at the level of other EU citizens.