RomaniaPermanent residence

Permanent resident status in Romania

The right to remain in Romania on a permanent basis after continuous lawful residence. It permits work without a separate authorisation and opens the route to citizenship. It lasts longer for family members of Romanian citizens. It requires proof of financial independence and health insurance.

Source: igi.mai.gov.ro — long-term residence

How to obtain the long-term right of residence

The programme is intended for foreigners who have lived in Romania continuously and lawfully and are ready to obtain permanent resident status.

Main conditions

Continuous lawful residence in Romania for 5 years
No more than 6 consecutive months abroad and no more than 10 months in total over the 5 years
No deportation order in force
A satisfactory command of Romanian

Finances and accommodation

Proof of stable income or means (except for family members of Romanian citizens)
Income no lower than the Romanian guaranteed minimum
Owned or rented accommodation in Romania
Valid health insurance within the Romanian healthcare system

Practical details

No convictions for serious offences
Working through the online portal igi.mai.gov.ro
The option of including the family at the same time as the applicant
The option of obtaining a personal identification number (CNP)

When the programme will not work

Study in Romania

Obtain a temporary permit for 1-5 years, or continue with work after completing your studies

An asylum claim or temporary protection

Apply to the protection authorities; the procedure differs from general immigration

Seasonal work

Obtain a short-term work authorisation, then consider moving to temporary residence

The au pair programme

Change status before applying for long-term residence, through employment

Diplomatic or service status

You keep your immunity; long-term residence does not apply to you

What it costs

Physical permit cardRON 259, paid when filing the application or collecting the card	51 EUR

Paid separately

Legal assistance — Agencies offer support for EUR 300-1,000, but it is not compulsory
Translation of documents — If you translated them yourself or no apostille is needed — it depends on the situation

Documents to gather

The complete set for filing an application for the long-term right of residence.

Application on the prescribed form (available at portaligimai.gov.ro)
Passport or travel document (original and copy)
Proof of permanent accommodation (rental agreement or title deed, original and copy)
Document confirming insurance within the Romanian healthcare system
Criminal-record certificate issued by the Romanian authorities
Proof of financial means and stable income (bank statement, employment contract, employer's certificate; not required for family members of Romanian citizens)
Civil status documents: birth, marriage or divorce certificate (where applicable; translated and apostilled)
Consent of the parents or guardian (for minors)
Proof of a satisfactory command of Romanian

How the process runs

Obtaining the long-term right of residence in Romania involves several stages.

1
Preparing and translating documents
2-4 weeks
Collect all the necessary documents, have them translated into Romanian by a sworn translator and obtain apostilles on foreign documents. Make sure you have the criminal-record certificate and proof of income.
2
Filing the application through the online portal
1 day
Go to portaligimai.gov.ro, create an account, complete the application form and upload scanned documents. You receive an application number and confirmation of receipt.
3
In-person interview at the immigration authorities
2-4 weeks after filing
You receive an invitation to an interview at the local office of the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI). Provide the original documents and answer questions about the purpose of your stay and your financial situation. Your knowledge of Romanian is tested.
4
Examination of the application
6 months (extendable by 3 months)
The authorities check the documents and make enquiries about income and accommodation. The maximum period for a decision is 6 months from filing, extendable by 3 months in exceptional cases.
5
Receiving the permit card
1-2 weeks
Once approved, collect the physical long-term residence permit card. Pay the card fee (EUR 51). The card is valid for the stated period (5 or 10 years).

Timelines and rights

Work

You work without a work authorisation under an individual employment contract.

Who you can bring with you

Family members of a foreigner holding the long-term right of residence may obtain a residence permit, but subject to certain conditions.

Spouse of the foreigner

May file at the same time as the main applicant. Receives a permit for the same period (5 or 10 years). An apostilled and translated marriage certificate is required.

Minor children (under 18)

May be included in the parents' application. A birth certificate and the consent of both parents are required. They receive a permit for the same period as the parents.

Adult children (18+)

Must file their own application and prove an independent financial situation. They are not normally included in the parents' package.

Family members of Romanian citizens

Receive a permit for 10 years (instead of 5). The financial requirements may be simplified or waived. This covers spouses and the minor and adult children of a Romanian citizen.

Elderly parents or other dependent family members

May be sponsored, but proof of dependency and of the sponsor's sufficient financial means is required. The procedure is more complex and requires an individual assessment.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

Periods of residence for study count only by half. Absence in connection with work in international transport does not count as absence.

The long-term residence permit is renewed before it expires. The renewal application is filed through the same online portal no later than 30 days before expiry. Current documents must be provided: passport, proof of accommodation, income certificate, health insurance and criminal-record certificate. Renewal also takes up to 6 months. Once renewed, the permit remains valid for a further 5 or 10 years depending on the category. If the sponsoring family member (for example a parent holding a permit) renews their status, family members must also renew theirs.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

	Permanent resident status	Digital nomad	Business residence permit
Grounds	Long-term resident status after continuous lawful residence over the last 5 years	Remote income	Investment / jobs
Work	You work without a work authorisation under an individual employment contract	Only for a foreign employer or one's own business abroad	Yes, managing your own company; employment requires a different basis
Residence	Periods of residence for study count only by half	Actual residence for most of the year (183+ days)	Actual residence, with an address in the country

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

This is permanent residence. It is granted after 5 years of continuous stay: absences must be less than 6 consecutive months and no more than 10 months in total.

Route to citizenship

Citizenship under article 8 of Law 21/1991 is requested after 8 years of lawful residence; spouses of Romanian citizens after 5 years from the date of the marriage.

Frequently asked questions about Permanent resident status

Can I work with the long-term right of residence without a separate work authorisation?

Yes — with the long-term right of residence you may work in Romania without a separate work authorisation. You have the same standing as Romanian citizens on the labour market and may enter into an employment contract, which must be approved by the Territorial Labour Inspectorate.

How long must I live in Romania before applying for citizenship?

Romanian citizenship by naturalisation requires 8 years of continuous lawful residence with a permanent permit. If you are married to a Romanian citizen, the period is reduced to 5 years. You must also prove knowledge of Romanian and an understanding of Romanian culture. Romania permits dual citizenship.

What counts as breaking continuity of residence?

Continuity is broken if you are absent for more than 6 consecutive months or if your total absence exceeds 10 months over the 5-year period. Short trips (tourism, business meetings) do not break the status provided you return and continue to reside in the country.

What income must be proved for the long-term right of residence?

You must prove stable income no lower than the Romanian guaranteed minimum (roughly RON 2,600 a month, about EUR 550). This may be salary under an employment contract, income from your own business, a pension or investment income. Family members of Romanian citizens are exempt from this requirement.

Can my spouse apply together with me?

Yes, your spouse may file a joint application or a separate one in parallel with yours. If you both file, it is advisable to coordinate them to speed up processing. Your spouse will receive a permit for the same period as the main applicant. An apostilled marriage certificate is required.

Does time studying in Romania count towards the 5-year period for long-term residence?

Under the known rules, time studying on a temporary student permit usually counts by half (50%) towards the required 5-year period. That means two years of study equal one year of residence for long-term permit purposes. You should check this with the IGI authorities in your own case.

How long does it take to examine an application for the long-term right of residence?

The maximum period for examining the application is 6 months. In exceptional cases this may be extended by a further 3 months. In practice many applications are examined more quickly, but it is advisable to file with time to spare before the current permit expires.

Other ways to move to Romania

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Romania.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.