Romanian citizenship by request
Article 8, Law 21/1991 · Official name: Acordarea cetățeniei române la cerere (art. 8, Legea cetățeniei române nr. 21/1991)
Foreigners who hold a long-term or permanent residence right in Romania and have lived there legally for at least 8 years can ask the National Citizenship Authority (ANC) for Romanian citizenship. The law was amended in March 2025 (Law no. 14/2025). Former Romanian citizens and their descendants use a separate route (Articles 10 and 11).
Life in Romania
Finance
3
Currency
Romanian Leu
RON
Romanian Leu
Cost of living
49
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
Flat 10%
Income tax (national)
VAT 21% · social security 35%
Flat 10% on income from each source (Fiscal Code art. 64).
Living
1
Happiness
#32 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Who it’s for
Long-term and permanent residents of Romania.
Eligibility
Residence right and 8 years of legal residence
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need a long-term or permanent residence right in Romania and at least 8 years of legal residence there.
8 years
Residence required
- Rule as amended by Law no. 14/2025
- Published in Monitorul Oficial no. 218 of 12 Mar 2025
Official wording
The applicant must hold a long-term residence right or a permanent residence right in Romania and have lived legally in Romania for at least 8 years (as amended by Law no. 14/2025, published in Monitorul Oficial no. 218 of 12 Mar 2025).
Other conditions on the ANC page
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou must meet the other conditions on the ANC's Article 8 page, checked by the ANC's commission.
18 years
Minimum age · at least
- Assured means of living
- Written and spoken Romanian
- Elementary notions of Romanian culture and civilisation
- Knowledge of the Constitution and the national anthem
Official wording
The ANC's Article 8 page lists: at least 18 years old, assured means of living, knowledge of written and spoken Romanian, elementary notions of Romanian culture and civilisation, and knowledge of the Constitution and the national anthem, checked by the ANC's commission.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Document checklist
- Fees
- Steps to apply
The full requirements are for members
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- 2 documents
- 1 fee
- 3 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Romania
- Visit & tourismRomania Schengen short-stay visa (uniform visa type C) and visa-free visits
- StudyLong-stay study visa (D/SD) and student residence permit
- Work permitsLong-stay employment visa (D/AM1, D/AM2) via the WorkinRomania single application
- 3 more routes with Premium
