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18 May 2024

Residence registration in Romania for European Union citizens

If you as an EU citizen are contemplating the idea of making Romania your new home in 2024, whether it's for a short or long term, registering your residence in Romania and obtaining the Romanian residence permit is a crucial step before you can settle down and embark on your new life in Romania. Learn everything you need to know about residence registration and securing a residence permit in Romania by exploring our comprehensive website

 

 

Are you an EU citizen planning to move to Romania? If so, understanding the residence registration process is essential. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about residence registration in Romania for EU citizens. Romania, a member of the European Union, has its own set of rules and regulations regarding residence registration. As an EU citizen, you are entitled to certain rights and benefits while residing in the country. However, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the specific requirements and procedures to ensure a smooth transition. From understanding the necessary documents to obtaining the necessary permits, our guide covers it all. We will provide you with detailed step-by-step instructions, tips, and insights to navigate the process effortlessly. Whether you are moving for work, study, or personal reasons, this ultimate guide will be your go-to resource. By the end of this guide, you will have all the knowledge and tools to successfully register your residence in Romania as an EU citizen. Let's get started on your exciting new adventure!

 

Your ultimate guide to residence registration in Romania for EU Citizens: Everything you need to know

 

If you as an EU citizen are contemplating the idea of making Romania your new home in 2024, whether it's for a short or long term, obtaining a residence permit is a crucial step before you can settle down and embark on your new life in Romania.

 

In order to be allowed to stay in Romania for longer than 90 days, every foreigner has to obtain a Romanian residence permit.

 

Before you apply for registration of your residence in Romania and obtain the residence permit, you have to fulfil several requirements. You can only get a residence permit after you are already in Romania, which means there are prerequisites you must go through to travel to Romania in the first place.

 

This article is a guide on how a foreign national EU citizen can apply for a residence permit to stay in Romania long-term.

 

Who needs the Romanian residence permit? Requirements for residence registration in Romania

 

Are you a citizen of a European Union member state, an EEA state, or Switzerland? Are you in Romania for an extended stay and wondering if you should notify the authorities? Well, in this case you should know that under the freedom of movement enjoyed by EU citizens, you have the right to stay in Romania for up to 3 months without the need to notify the authorities.

 

However, if you plan to stay in Romania for more than 3 months, you are required to register your residence at the General Inspectorate for Immigration in the area where you live. To register your residence, you must justify to the authorities also the purpose of your stay in Romania.

 

So, even the EU / EEA and Swiss Confederation citizens and their family members can work in Romania in exactly the same conditions as Romanian citizens (based on a labor contract, assignment contract, notification etc.), they need to obtain the residence registration certificate, depending on the purpose of the stay in Romania.

 

What purposes can I justify for obtaining my residence registration in Romania in Romania?

 

The purposes you can cite include employment, running a business, engaging in economic and professional activities, studying, or volunteering.

 

You also have the right to register your residence if you do not justify engaging in such activities but can prove to the authorities that you have adequate means, at least equivalent to the minimum wage guaranteed in Romania.

 

Can my family members benefit from residency in Romania? The right to reside in Romania also extends to family members of EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens who already have registered residence in Romania.

 

Can my partner with whom I have entered into a partnership obtain residency? Yes, the same right applies to individuals in a civil partnership with an EU citizen residing in Romania, provided they can prove the existence of such a partnership concluded in another country.

 

How to obtain the Romanian residence permit?

 

To obtain the Romanian residence registration permit, you need to schedule an appointment in advance on the General Inspectorate for Immigration's portal.

The certificate is issued on the same day that the supporting documents are submitted to the General Inspectorate for Immigration.

 

So, you only have to register your residence at a local office of the General Inspectorate for Immigration in Romania and get the registration certificate, only if all the required documents are provided to the immigration authority.

 

Which are the necessary documents for registration of the residence in Romania? Documents required for the Romanian residence permit

 

The necessary documents for registration of the residence in Romania depend on the activity and the purpose you intend to obtain it. So, wherever you ground your application for residency by performing a dependent / independent activity (such as: employment with labour agreement, deployment, commercial and economic activities, volunteering, humanitarian activities, religious activities etc.) or by means of support, studies or family members, the documents needed for this purpose vary from case to case.

 

The documents needed for residence registration in Romania and obtaining the Romanian residence permit are the following:

 

Necessary documents for Romanian residence permit for employment: application form signed by the applicant, ID card / passport, labour agreement and certificate issued by the employer attesting the applicant quality as employee and excerpt from the General Record of Employees Romania Summary (REVISAL) mentioning the registration of the labour agreement, stamped and signed by the employer to confirm the veracity of the document presented.

 

Required documents for Romanian residence permit in case of deployment: application form signed by the applicant; ID card / passport, deployment agreement, the deployment notification translated and legalized in accordance with the law and notification of the company in Romania by confirming that the person is deployed for a period of time stipulated in the agreement;

 

Necessary documents for Romanian residence permit for commercial, economic and professional activities: application form signed by the applicant; ID card or passport; National Trade Register Office excerpt attesting that the applicant conducts its business according to the Romanian law – acting as a company director or shareholder or that the applicant exercise the economic activity in the conditions established by Government Ordinance no. 44/2008 amended and supplemented or, if the applicant’s activity is regulated under the special law, its authorization issued by the public authority;

 

Required documents for Romanian residence permit in case of volunteering: application form application signed by the applicant; ID card or passport and voluntary agreement with mentioning the host organization and applicant activity within the voluntary programme, in accordance with the special law.

 

Necessary documents for Romanian residence permit for humanitarian / religious activities: application form signed by the applicant; ID card or passport; approval for the coordination and support of humanitarian activities issued by the Ministry of Public Health / approval of the State Office for Cults and notification from the host organization confirming that the applicant carries out humanitarian / religious activities;

 

Required documents for Romanian residence permit in case of residency based on means of support: application form signed by the applicant; ID card or passport; proof of the existing of support (receipts of pension slip issued no later than 3 months before the date of entry in Romania; global income tax return for the year prior to entry into Romania; bank statements or other equivalent documents certifying that the income needed to ensure subsistence has been obtained) and the proof of the existing health insurance – excluding people who are insured without paying contributions according to the Law no. 95/2006 on healthcare reform, with subsequent amendments;

 

Necessary documents for Romanian residence permit for studying: application form signed by the applicant; ID card or passport; documents attesting the enrolment of the applicant within an accredited educational institution; proof of the existing means of support, as described before and the proof of the existing health insurance excepting the persons falling under the Law no. 95/2006, with subsequent amendments;

 

Required documents for Romanian residence permit for family members (EU / EEA / Swiss Confederation), family members of the Romanian citizens and union partnerships (non-marriage) – family reunification: application form signed by the applicant; ID card or passport; copy of identity card / travel document and a copy of the document certifying residence on national territory of the European Union citizen; act of civil status attesting the marriage or the family relationship with the resident; proof of the existing means of support, as described before and proof of the existing health insurance, excepting for the persons falling under the Law no. 95/2006, with subsequent amendments.

 

The family relationships may be proven using the following documents: (i) documents (certificates, statements, affidavits) proving the marriage or family relationship (affinity) with an EU citizen for family members; (ii) documents (certificates, statements, affidavits) issued by the origin Member State authorities proving that the applicant is family member of an EU citizen, is dependent on or lives with an EU citizen or is in a situation where, for serious medical reasons, their personal assistance is required for dependants; (iii) documents (certificates, statements, affidavits) certifying that a non-married partnership with an EU citizen was registered in the origin Member State, in the case of a registered partnership or documents certifying that the applicant has a long-term cohabitation relationship with an EU citizen, in the case of unregistered partnership; (iv) in the case of unregistered non-married partnerships, the EU citizen must provide a self-declaration about the partnership existence and documents or other evidence attesting to the cohabitation. The self-declaration will mention that the partners live together or neither of them is married.

 

What documents are issued by the General Inspectorate for Immigration attesting residence in Romania?

 

The documents issued by the General Inspectorate for Immigration attesting residence in Romania are:

  • registration certificate (for citizens of EU / EEA / Swiss Confederation),

  • residence card (for family members of EU / EEA / Swiss Confederation citizens),

  • permanent residence card (both for citizens of EU / EEA / Swiss Confederation and for their family members).

 

Duration of the Romanian residence permit

 

Once you apply, the registration certificate will be issued to you on the same day and will remain valid for a minimum of one year, but can last up to five years.

 

If you are applying for a residence card, it will be issued within 90 days from the date of filing. The residence card will be valid for a maximum of five years, but it cannot exceed the duration of the residency of the EU/EEA/Swiss Confederation citizen who is the family member of the applicant.

 

Those who have been residing legally in Romania for at least 5 years, whether they are citizens of the European Union/EEA or their family members, can now apply for permanent residence.

 

What happens if you do not hold a Romanian residence permit or you do not meet the conditions for the right of residence?

 

It is important to note that if you fail to meet any of the requirements to apply for a registration certificate or residence card within 3 months of entering Romania, it will be considered an administrative offense. In such cases, a fine ranging from RON 25 to RON 50 may be imposed.

 

In cases where EU citizens and their family members do not fulfil the conditions for the right of residence in Romania, the General Inspectorate for Immigration has the authority to issue an order for them to leave the country. If you receive such an order, you have the option to challenge it within 10 days of being notified. To do so, you can approach the court of appeal in the jurisdiction where the order was issued. The court will carefully consider your application within 30 days of receiving it. It's important to remember that filing an appeal will temporarily suspend the execution of the order. Once the court reaches a final and irrevocable decision on your appeal, it will be binding.

 

Common challenges and solutions for residence registration in Romania: changes to the name, citizenship, address and the necessity to obtain a new residence registration certificate

 

If any changes occur in your name, surname, citizenship, address, or if your document certifying your residence in Romania is lost, stolen, destroyed, or damaged, you will need to obtain a new registration certificate or residence card. To do so, you must submit the required documents, as specified by the law, to the local offices of the General Inspectorate for Immigration in your county, as follows: proof of change or the proof that you have declared the theft of documents issued by the Romanian authorities based on the orders of Government Emergency Ordinance no. 102/2005.

 

Any theft of documents essential for crossing the Romanian border or issued by Romanian authorities must be reported to the local police within 48 hours in accordance with Government Emergency Ordinance no. 102/2005.

 

Loss, damage or destruction of documents issued by the Romanian authorities based on the orders of Government Emergency Ordinance no. 102/2005 is declared to the territorially competent formation of the General Inspectorate for Immigration, within 48 hours from the report of the event.

 

In case of loss, damage, or destruction of documents issued by Romanian authorities according to Government Emergency Ordinance no. 102/2005, notify the General Inspectorate for Immigration in your area within 48 hours.

 

Conclusion: Your next steps for residence registration in Romania

 

Make sure to gather all necessary documents and information required for residence registration in Romania, and follow the outlined procedures diligently to successfully complete the process. It is important to be proactive and organized in order to avoid any delays or complications in obtaining your residence permit in Romania.

 

Are you looking for an immigration lawyer in Romania? Feel free to get in touch with our english speaking immigration and human rights lawyers at sorina@roadvocacy.ro or +40 744 65 09 50 or using the contact form on at www.roadvocacy.ro

 

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The Lawyer's corner is nothing else but a legal blog dedicated only for entrepreneurs and investors in Romania 

 

Weekly usefull posts about the investors' first steps in Romania, from the perspective of practicing business law, servicing our clients' needs and litigation, written and published by a Romanian litigation lawyer with over 15 years experience

 

 

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