Licensing Services in Romania

Crypto · Forex · Gambling · Transport · Taxi · Alcohol · Pharma · and more

Many business activities in Romania require a licence, authorisation or registration from a specific regulatory authority before the company can legally operate. Registering a Romanian SRL at the Trade Register (ONRC) and selecting the relevant CAEN codes does not in itself grant the right to conduct regulated activities — a separate licence application to the competent authority is required.

Romania For Business SRL provides English-speaking licensing support for international entrepreneurs and companies entering regulated sectors in Romania. We assess the applicable regulatory framework, identify the correct licence or authorisation, prepare the complete application file, coordinate with the regulatory authority and support the client through post-licence compliance obligations. Each licensing engagement is coordinated with our legal, accounting and company establishment teams.

Operating a regulated activity without the required licence is a criminal offence in Romania

Romanian law treats the conduct of regulated activities without the required licence, authorisation or registration as a criminal or administrative offence — subject to significant fines, activity suspension orders, asset seizure and, in serious cases, criminal prosecution. A CAEN code registered at the Trade Register does not constitute a licence. Before starting any regulated activity, the applicable licence requirement must be confirmed with a qualified Romanian adviser.

Why Licensing Matters — Common Mistakes International Founders Make

International entrepreneurs and companies entering Romania frequently make the same licensing-related errors. Understanding these risks is the first step to avoiding them.

Common mistake	What actually happens
Registering a CAEN code without a licence	A CAEN code (e.g. 6492 — financial leasing) can be registered at the Trade Register without a licence. But the company cannot legally conduct that activity until the relevant licence is granted. ANAF, sector regulators and banks check licence status — an unlicensed company conducting regulated activities faces enforcement action.
Assuming EU passporting replaces a Romanian licence	An EU-licenced company (e.g. a MiFID II investment firm licensed in Cyprus or Malta) must assess whether its activities in Romania require local registration or a branch authorisation under the Romanian regulatory framework. Passporting covers some activities but not all.
Starting operations while the application is pending	Regulatory applications can take months. Companies that begin regulated operations before the licence is granted are exposed to enforcement action — even if the application has been submitted. The correct sequence is: apply → wait for grant → then begin operations.
Not knowing which authority is responsible	Romanian licensing is split across multiple authorities: ASF (financial services, gambling, insurance), BNR (banks, payment institutions, e-money), ANMDM (pharmaceuticals), ARR (road transport), local authorities (taxis, alcohol retail). Applying to the wrong authority or in the wrong format wastes time and money.
Underestimating capital requirements	Most regulated sectors impose minimum paid-up capital requirements — ranging from €50,000 for some payment institutions to €730,000 for investment firms. These must be in place before the application is submitted. Insufficient capital is one of the most common grounds for licence refusal.
Ignoring ongoing licence conditions	A licence is not a one-time approval. Licences require annual renewals, periodic reporting, fit-and-proper reassessments, AML compliance, capital maintenance and ongoing regulatory filings. Failure to maintain licence conditions results in suspension or revocation.

Licensing Areas — Seven Regulated Sectors Covered

Romania For Business SRL covers seven regulated sectors with dedicated supporting pages. Each page provides a full guide to the applicable regulatory framework, application process, timeline, capital requirements and compliance obligations.

Crypto / CASP Licence

Regulator: ASF (Autoritatea de Supraveghere Financiară)
Registration or authorisation for crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) under MiCA and Romanian national rules.

CASP registration or full authorisation
MiCA compliance framework
AML / CFT programme
Capital requirements (€0–€150k)
ASF supervisory filing

Crypto licence guide →

Forex / Investment Firm Licence

Regulator: ASF (MiFID II authorisation)
MiFID II investment firm authorisation from ASF — for forex, CFD, securities and investment services businesses.

Investment firm authorisation
MiFID II compliance programme
Capital €730k (full) or €75k (limited)
Fit and proper assessment
Ongoing ASF reporting

Forex licence guide →

Gambling Licence

Regulator: ONJN (Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc)
Gambling licence for online and physical operations — casino, betting, lottery and slot machines in Romania.

Online gambling licence
Physical premises licence
Server location requirements
State fee & licence bond
ONJN technical certification

Gambling licence guide →

Transport Licence

Regulator: ARR (Autoritatea Rutieră Română)
Road transport operator licence for national and international freight or passenger transport companies.

National or international licence
CPC qualification requirement
Vehicle fleet documentation
Good repute & financial standing
ARR periodic renewal

Transport licence guide →

Taxi Licence

Regulator: Local transport authority (primărie)
Taxi authorisation and eco-taxi licence for operators and drivers in Romania — issued by local authorities.

Taxi operator authorisation
Driver licence (atestare taxi)
Vehicle technical inspection
Eco-taxi badge (rideshare)
Bucharest vs other cities

Taxi licence guide →

Alcohol Licence

Regulator: Local authority / ANPC / Customs
Authorisation for retail sale, on-premises consumption or wholesale distribution of alcoholic beverages.

Retail alcohol licence
On-premises consumption (bar/restaurant)
Wholesale alcohol authorisation
Acciza (excise duty) registration
Seasonal and events licences

Alcohol licence guide →

Pharma Licence

Regulator: ANMDM (Agenția Națională a Medicamentului)
Licence for pharmacy operation or pharmaceutical wholesale distribution under ANMDM regulatory oversight.

Community pharmacy licence
Wholesale pharma distribution
Pharmacist qualification requirement
GMP / GDP compliance
ANMDM periodic inspection

Pharma licence guide →

Need a licence for a sector not listed?

We cover financial services, payment institutions, healthcare, private security and more.

Who We Help — Matching Business Types to Licences

The table below maps the most common business types arriving in Romania to the relevant licence and supporting page. If your business type is not listed, contact us — we assess any regulated sector against the applicable Romanian framework.

Client type	Typical licensing need	Relevant licence page
Crypto / blockchain company	CASP/VASP registration or authorisation with ASF	Crypto Licence →
Forex / investment firm	Investment firm authorisation from ASF (MiFID II)	Forex Licence →
Online or physical casino	Gambling licence from ONJN (online or premises)	Gambling Licence →
Road freight operator	Transport operator licence from ARR	Transport Licence →
Taxi / rideshare operator	Taxi / eco-taxi licence from local authority	Taxi Licence →
Bar / restaurant / retailer	Alcohol licence (autorizație comercializare băuturi alcoolice)	Alcohol Licence →
Pharmacy / medicinal products	Pharmacy or wholesale pharma licence from ANMDM	Pharma Licence →
Fintech / payment institution	Payment institution or e-money institution licence from BNR	Contact us →
Healthcare provider	Medical services authorisation (Ministerul Sănătății / DSP)	Contact us →
Security services company	Private security licence from Inspectoratul General al Poliției Române	Contact us →

How the Licensing Engagement Works

Every licensing engagement follows a structured five-stage process. The engagement begins with a scoping call to confirm the regulatory framework and assess eligibility — before any application work begins.

Stage	What happens
1. Eligibility assessment	We review the planned activity, ownership structure and company profile against the applicable regulatory framework. We confirm the correct licence type, the competent authority, the capital requirements, the fit-and-proper conditions and the realistic application timeline. This is the most important stage — getting the licence type wrong wastes months.
2. Company and structure preparation	Many licences require the company to have a specific structure, minimum capital, qualified management and a physical presence in Romania. We coordinate the company setup or restructuring required before the application can be submitted.
3. Document preparation	We prepare the complete application file — regulatory application forms, articles of association, AML policies, compliance frameworks, business plans, capital evidence, fit-and-proper declarations and any sector-specific technical documentation. All documents are prepared in Romanian with English translations.
4. Regulatory submission	The complete application file is submitted to the competent authority. We manage all correspondence from the authority — responding to information requests, attending regulatory meetings where required and tracking the application status.
5. Post-licence compliance	After the licence is granted, we brief the client on all ongoing obligations — annual reporting, capital maintenance, AML programme maintenance, periodic inspections and licence renewal. Ongoing compliance support is available as a separate engagement.

Licensing timelines vary significantly — from weeks to 12+ months

A taxi licence from a Bucharest local authority can be issued within weeks. A Forex / MiFID II investment firm authorisation from ASF can take 12–18 months. A gambling licence from ONJN typically takes 3–6 months. A crypto CASP authorisation under MiCA is currently evolving as the regulatory framework matures. Every engagement begins with a realistic timeline estimate for the specific licence type.

Key Romanian Regulatory Authorities

Different regulated sectors are overseen by different authorities. The table below maps sectors to the responsible Romanian regulatory body — essential for understanding which application process applies.

Authority	Full name	Regulated sectors
ASF	Autoritatea de Supraveghere Financiară	Capital markets, investment firms (MiFID II), insurance, private pensions, crypto/CASP (MiCA), gambling (non-BNR financial instruments)
BNR	Banca Națională a României	Credit institutions (banks), payment institutions (PSD2), e-money institutions (EMI), foreign exchange, consumer credit
ONJN	Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc	Online and physical gambling — casino, betting, lottery, slot machines, bingo, poker
ANMDM	Agenția Națională a Medicamentului și a Dispozitivelor Medicale	Pharmaceuticals (production, import, wholesale, retail), medical devices, clinical trials
ARR	Autoritatea Rutieră Română	Road transport — national and international freight (CMR), passenger transport, taxi/rideshare operator authorisation
ANPC	Autoritatea Națională pentru Protecția Consumatorilor	Consumer protection, retail food & beverage licensing (co-administered with local authorities)
Primărie	Local municipal authority (varies by location)	Taxi driver and vehicle authorisation, local business permits, alcohol retail (on-premises), market trading licences
DSP	Direcția de Sănătate Publică	Healthcare providers, medical offices, clinics, pharmacies (co-issued with ANMDM for pharmacies)
IGPR	Inspectoratul General al Poliției Române	Private security services, detective agencies, weapons transport

LICENSING SERVICES IN ROMANIA

on request
quoted per licence type

ALL LICENSING ENGAGEMENTS INCLUDE:

Initial eligibility assessment — licence type, authority, conditions and timeline
Company structure review — SRL or branch suitability for the specific licence
Capital requirements analysis — minimum paid-up capital per regulatory authority
Fit and proper assessment — shareholder, director and UBO regulatory vetting
Document preparation — application forms, supporting documents, policies and procedures
Romanian translation and certified translation coordination
Regulatory authority submission — filing with the competent authority
Ongoing correspondence management — responses to authority queries
Licence condition compliance briefing — ongoing obligations after award
Integrated coordination with legal, accounting and company establishment teams

INDICATIVE ENGAGEMENT FEES — BY LICENCE TYPE

Crypto / CASP registration or authorisation (ASF) from €12,000
Forex / investment firm authorisation (ASF / MiFID) from €13,500
Gambling licence — online or premises (ONJN) from €12,500
Transport operator licence (ARR) from €2,800
Taxi / eco-taxi licence from €1,500
Alcohol retail or on-premises licence from €900
Pharmacy / pharma wholesale licence (ANMDM) from €2,000
Licence condition compliance review (post-award) from €500
Licence renewal coordination from €400
Other regulated sector — eligibility consultation from €350

Check your licence requirements

All engagement fees are confirmed in writing after the initial eligibility assessment. Regulatory authority fees (application fees, state fees, annual levies) are additional and vary by licence type and authority — confirmed at scoping. Fees may be subject to Romanian VAT.

Frequently Asked Questions — Licensing Services in Romania

Most regulated activities in Romania require a separate licence, authorisation or registration from the competent authority — in addition to registering the company at the Trade Register (ONRC) and selecting the relevant CAEN code. Registering a CAEN code does not grant the right to conduct the activity. The applicable licence depends on the specific activity — see the licence type cards above or contact us for an eligibility assessment.

The two main financial services regulators are ASF (Autoritatea de Supraveghere Financiară) and BNR (Banca Națională a României). ASF regulates capital markets, investment firms (MiFID II), insurance, private pensions, crypto-asset service providers (CASPs under MiCA) and gambling. BNR regulates credit institutions (banks), payment institutions (PSD2), e-money institutions and consumer credit. Some activities are regulated by both.

It depends on the activity. EU passporting under EU directives (MiFID II, PSD2, UCITS, etc.) allows EU-licenced firms to provide certain services in Romania on a cross-border basis or via a branch — subject to a passporting notification procedure. However, passporting does not cover all activities, and some activities (particularly local market-facing activities such as gambling, taxi, alcohol retail and pharmacy) require a Romanian licence regardless of EU authorisation elsewhere. We assess passporting rights for each client’s specific situation.

It depends significantly on the licence type. Indicative timelines: taxi / local authority licences — 4–12 weeks; alcohol retail licence — 4–8 weeks; transport (ARR) licence — 6–12 weeks; gambling (ONJN) licence — 3–6 months; crypto (CASP) registration — 3–6 months; crypto full MiCA authorisation — 6–12 months; forex / investment firm (ASF MiFID II) — 12–18 months; pharma (ANMDM) — 6–18 months depending on licence type. All timelines depend on the completeness of the application and the authority’s processing workload.

Most regulated sector licences in Romania (financial services, gambling, pharma) require the company’s shareholders, directors and beneficial owners to pass a ‘fit and proper’ assessment — confirming they have the required professional qualifications, a clean criminal record, no history of regulatory sanctions and sufficient financial integrity. The fit and proper assessment is conducted by the regulatory authority as part of the licence application review. Romania For Business SRL prepares fit and proper declarations and advises on any compliance issues before submission.

Minimum capital requirements vary significantly by licence type. Examples: taxi / alcohol — no minimum capital; transport (ARR) — financial standing requirement (€9,000 for first vehicle + €5,000 per additional vehicle); crypto CASP — €0 (registration) to €150,000 (full authorisation, depending on services); investment firm (ASF) — €75,000 (limited services) to €730,000 (full MiFID II); gambling — varies by licence type and state fee; pharmacy — no specific minimum but premises requirements apply. Capital must typically be paid up and evidenced before the application is submitted.

Yes. The seven licence pages cover the most common regulated sectors for international clients. However, Romania has regulated licensing requirements in many other sectors — healthcare, education, financial leasing, insurance, private security, import of controlled goods, food production and others. Contact us with a description of your planned activity and we will assess the applicable regulatory framework and licence requirements.

A licence is not a permanent permission — it comes with ongoing conditions. Typical post-licence obligations include: annual renewal applications; periodic reporting to the regulatory authority; capital maintenance at the required level; AML programme maintenance and annual updates; technical or premises inspections; fit and proper reassessments when ownership or management changes; and compliance with any sector-specific operational conditions. Romania For Business SRL offers post-licence compliance support as a separate engagement.