When travelling to Romania, you are allowed to stay within the country’s borders for no longer than 90 days. If you are planning to stay more than 90 days, you’ll be needing a residence permit that allows you to stay in the country for one year. The thing is you’ll have to deal with the nasty Romanian bureaucracy to get your permit.
Today, we are going to tell you all you need to know about getting a residence permit in Romania regardless of your actual citizenship.
First of all, you must apply for your residence permit 30 days before the expiration of your current status. The application shall be submitted at your local Immigration office.
What do you have to do if you’re an EU citizen
The procedure is quite simple for EU and EEA citizens.These are the steps:
1. filling up a requesting form (includes registering under the status of employee, volunteer, entrepreneur, student, family member), which you’ll get from the territorial units of the General Inspectorate for Immigration;
2. attaching your ID card or Passport (copy AND original);
3. proving your funds (pension slip, bank account, work or study contract;
PS: Unless you immigrate via work, the self-sufficient route would be the easiest, because of the low requirements But what does “self-sufficient” mean? This implies that you have enough money to live on within the country.
How to prove you have sufficient funds:
– pension coupon dated 3 months before arriving;
– last year tax statement confirming that you meet the minimum required income;
– bank account statement proving you have sufficient funds;
– concerning students, a written declaration confirming the sufficient amount of funds.
4. proving you’ve got health insurance (European health card, or private insurance company services)
! Important ! In order to finish the registration process, you’ll have to get a local address in Romania. You can do this through a secured rental contract or the acquisition of a house/apartment. Take the rental or purchase agreement with you, because you might be asked to present it as a confirmation of your address.
All EU and EEA citizens receive the residence permit during the same day, mostly right after submitting the docs. Your permit will be valid for one to five years, depending on specific circumstances.
What you’ll have to do if you are a non-EU citizen
Things get somewhat complicated here. The main problem is the fact that self-sufficiency is not a route you can take. Even if you are a self sufficient person or a retiree, you will have to meet one of the listed requirements:
– be employed in Romania or participate to trainings;
– have family members within the country;
– be a student or volunteer;
– conduct scientific research or religious activities;
– undergo confirmed long-term medical treatment;
– lead a company ↓.
Nowadays, in order to receive a registration certificate as a business owner or manager, you need to meet another requirement: the company has to generate a contribution of capital or a technology transfer of at least 50 000 EUR (this does NOT apply to the US citizens).
You are expected to pay at least these two application taxes:
- The consular tax of 120 EUR;
- 55 EUR for the residency permit.
REMEMBER that the taxes might change and always double check with the embassy for up to date info!
What happens if you don’t get a residence permit?
If you’re a non-EU citizen and you stay within the country for more than 90 days without getting a residence permit, you will incur a fine of up to $600 and a ban from returning to Romania for a period of up to 1 year. If you had valid grounds to not get the permit, such as medical emergencies or school/employer failing to issue you the needed documents, you can request a waiver of the ban at the Immigration Office before leaving the country. EU citizens will incur a fine of around 12 EUR and no ban.
If you want to immigrate to Romania, but still aren’t sure where to start from, feel free to contact Bizonaire!
We will help you move in a heartbeat to the place where you’re treated best!
