How long can I stay in Romania without a visa?

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: unlimited. Visa-free countries (US, UK, Canada, etc.): 90 days in any 180-day period (Schengen rules). After that, you need a long-stay visa.

What is the Digital Nomad Visa?

A 1-year renewable visa for remote workers. Requirements: income of 3x Romanian average salary (~€4,500/month), health insurance, clean criminal record. No Romanian employer needed.

Can I get permanent residency?

Yes, after 5 years of continuous legal residence. EU Blue Card holders: after 5 years total EU residence with 2 years in Romania. Permanent residency is a step toward citizenship.

How long does the process take?

Visa application: 30-90 days at consulate. Digital Nomad Visa: typically 30 days. Work permit: 30-45 days. Residence permit card: additional 30 days after arrival.

Can my family join me?

Yes. Spouse, minor children, and dependent parents can apply for family reunification once you hold a valid residence permit. Processing: 60-90 days.

Do I need to speak Romanian?

Not for residency. For citizenship (after 8 years), basic Romanian language skills are required. Many expats learn naturally through daily life.

Digital Nomad Visa Available • EU Member State • Fast Processing

Residency Permit Romania 2026

Multiple pathways to legal residency: Digital Nomad Visa, Work Permit, EU Blue Card, Investment Visa, and Family Reunification.

Consultation +40 740 011 411

6 types

Residency pathways

30-90 days

Processing time

RO / EN / HU

Working languages

Residency Pathways

Digital Nomad Visa

For remote workers earning 3x Romanian avg salary (~€4,500/month). Valid 1 year, renewable.

Work Permit

Employer-sponsored work authorization. Required for non-EU employees in Romanian companies.

EU Blue Card

For highly qualified workers. Salary threshold: 1.5x national average. Path to permanent residency.

Investment Visa

For investors: minimum €100,000 investment or 50+ employees. Fast-track to residency.

Family Reunification

Spouse, children, and dependent parents of Romanian residents/citizens can apply.

Student Visa

For enrolled students at Romanian universities. Part-time work permitted (4h/day).

Our Process — Step by Step

Eligibility Check

We assess your profile and recommend the best residency pathway based on your situation.

Day 1

Document Preparation

We compile all required documents, apostilles, translations, and supporting evidence.

1-3 weeks

Visa Application

We submit the long-stay visa (Type D) application at the Romanian consulate or IGI.

30-90 days

Residence Permit

Upon arrival, we apply for the physical residence permit card and handle registration.

30 days

Immigration to Romania — Your Options in 2026

Romania offers diverse residency pathways for non-EU nationals. The most popular routes are: employment (work permit), business/investment, Digital Nomad Visa (introduced 2022), family reunification, and study.

The Digital Nomad Visa has become increasingly popular: it allows remote workers earning at least 3x the Romanian average salary to live in Romania for up to 1 year (renewable). No Romanian employer needed — you continue working for your foreign company.

Pantilimon Avocat provides legal information and assistance for immigration procedures, from eligibility assessment and document preparation to the relevant application stages.