How to Obtain Romanian Citizenship and a Romanian Passport in 2026

Introduction

Romanian citizenship — and the Romanian passport that follows — is one of the most valuable legal statuses available to foreign nationals in Europe. As an EU member state, Romania’s passport grants full freedom of movement across the European Union, the right to live and work in any EU country without a visa or work permit, access to EU consular protection worldwide, and visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to over 170 countries and territories.

But Romanian citizenship cannot be bought, and the passport cannot be obtained directly. The process follows a defined legal sequence: the applicant must first acquire (or restore) Romanian citizenship through one of the routes established by law, then take the oath of allegiance, register their civil status documents in Romania, and only then apply for identity documents and a passport. Each step has its own requirements, timeline, and potential complications.

This guide explains the complete framework for obtaining Romanian citizenship and a Romanian passport in 2026. It covers every route to citizenship — naturalisation, marriage, ancestry, and restoration — the documentary requirements, the application and interview process, the language test, the oath, civil registration, and the practical steps to the passport itself.

Routes to Romanian Citizenship

What does not lead to citizenship. Buying property in Romania, registering a Romanian company, investing a certain amount of money, or holding a Romanian residence permit for any period does not, by itself, create a right to Romanian citizenship. There is no investment-based citizenship programme in Romania. Citizenship is acquired through the legal routes above.

Standard Naturalisation

Standard naturalisation is the route for foreign nationals who have lived in Romania for a prolonged period and wish to become Romanian citizens. The requirements are:

Residency. The applicant must have held a long-term or permanent residence status and must have continuously and lawfully resided in Romania for at least eight years. The eight-year period is counted from the date the applicant first established legal residence. Years during which the applicant was absent from Romania for more than six months may not count toward the requirement.

Age. The applicant must be at least 18 years old (minors may be included in a parent’s application).

Legal income. The applicant must demonstrate a lawful and sufficient source of income in Romania — employment, business, pension, or other documented means.

Good character. The applicant must not have been convicted of offences that are incompatible with Romanian citizenship. A clean criminal record is required from Romania and from the applicant’s country of origin.

Loyalty to Romania. The applicant must demonstrate loyalty to the Romanian state and must not have engaged in activities that endanger national security or public order.

Romanian language. The applicant must have sufficient knowledge of the Romanian language to integrate into social life. This is assessed through a language interview or, increasingly, through a formal language certificate at level B1 or equivalent.

Knowledge of Romanian culture and constitution. The applicant must demonstrate basic knowledge of Romanian culture, history, the Constitution, and the national anthem. This is assessed during the citizenship interview.

Can the Eight-Year Residency Requirement Be Reduced

Romanian citizenship law provides that the standard eight-year residency period may be reduced by up to three years (to a minimum of five years) for certain categories of applicants:

• EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens. Citizens of EU member states, EEA countries, and Switzerland may benefit from the reduced period, reflecting the closer integration with Romania as a fellow EU member.
• Persons born in Romania. Individuals who were born on Romanian territory and can demonstrate a connection to the country may qualify for the reduction under specific conditions.
• Recognised refugees. Persons who have been granted refugee status in Romania may benefit from the reduced period.
• Persons of notable merit. Individuals who have made a significant contribution to Romania’s economy, education, culture, science, or public life may qualify. This is assessed case by case and requires documentary evidence of the contribution.

The reduction is not automatic. The applicant must request it and provide evidence supporting the claim. The National Citizenship Authority (Autoritatea Națională pentru Cetățenie — ANC) assesses each case individually.

Citizenship Through Marriage

Marriage to a Romanian citizen does not automatically grant Romanian citizenship. However, it provides a facilitated naturalisation route with a shorter residency requirement:

Five years of marriage and cohabitation. The applicant must have been married to a Romanian citizen for at least five years and must have lived together with the spouse for the duration. The marriage must be legally recognised in Romania.

Residence in Romania. The applicant must hold a permanent or long-term residence status in Romania. The five-year marriage period runs concurrently with the residency requirement — the applicant does not need eight years of residence plus five years of marriage.

All other requirements apply. Language, legal income, good character, loyalty, and knowledge of culture and constitution remain mandatory. The marriage route reduces only the residency period, not the substantive integration requirements.

Documentation. In addition to the standard documents, the applicant must provide the marriage certificate (registered in Romania), proof of cohabitation (shared address, joint lease, utility bills), and the spouse’s Romanian identity documents.

Restoration of Citizenship by Ancestry

The restoration (redobândire) of Romanian citizenship is available to former Romanian citizens and, importantly, to their descendants. This route has been used by hundreds of thousands of applicants, primarily from Moldova, Ukraine, Israel, and other countries with significant communities of Romanian origin.

Who qualifies. Former Romanian citizens who lost their citizenship (voluntarily or involuntarily, including through historical border changes) and their descendants, up to the limits defined by law, may apply for restoration. The key requirement is proving the ancestral connection through a documented chain of civil status records.

No residency requirement. Unlike naturalisation, restoration of citizenship generally does not require the applicant to reside in Romania. The applicant may live abroad throughout the process and after receiving citizenship.

Documentary chain. The applicant must provide birth, marriage, and death certificates tracing the family line back to the Romanian ancestor who held citizenship. These documents must be obtained from Romanian or foreign civil registries and archives, apostilled or legalised, and translated into Romanian.

Language requirement. Following reforms in 2025-2026, applicants for restoration of citizenship are increasingly required to demonstrate Romanian language proficiency, typically at level B1 or equivalent, through a recognised language certificate or evidence of education in Romanian. The specific requirements depend on the application date and the applicable legal provisions.

Archive research. For many applicants, particularly those whose ancestors lived in territories that changed sovereignty during the 20th century (Bessarabia, Northern Bukovina, Transylvania, Southern Dobruja), obtaining the necessary archival documents can be the most time-consuming part of the process. Romanian state archives, local civil registries, and foreign archives may all need to be consulted.

Documents Required for a Citizenship Application

The specific documents depend on the route (naturalisation, marriage, restoration), but the following are commonly required:

The Application and Review Process

Filing. The citizenship application is filed with the Autoritatea Națională pentru Cetățenie (ANC — National Citizenship Authority) in Bucharest or, for applicants abroad, at the Romanian embassy or consulate. The application includes the completed form, all supporting documents, and the applicable fee.

Registration and initial review. ANC registers the application, assigns a file number, and conducts an initial review of document completeness. If documents are missing or deficient, the applicant is notified to provide corrections or supplements.

Substantive review. ANC examines the substance of the application: residency history, character, income, integration, and (for restoration) the ancestral documentary chain. ANC may request additional documents, clarifications, or verifications from Romanian or foreign authorities.

Interview (for naturalisation). Applicants for standard naturalisation or marriage-based citizenship are called for an interview at ANC. The interview assesses Romanian language proficiency, knowledge of Romanian culture, history, the Constitution, and the national anthem, and the applicant’s integration into Romanian society.

Decision. ANC issues a decision approving or rejecting the application. Approved applications are published in the Monitorul Oficial (Official Gazette). The decision is not the final step — the applicant must still take the oath of allegiance.

Processing time. Processing times vary significantly. Simple restoration cases may be processed within 6 to 12 months. Complex naturalisation cases or applications with incomplete documentation can take 2 to 4 years or longer. Backlogs at ANC are common.

Appeals. A rejected application may be challenged through the administrative courts. Legal advice is strongly recommended if considering an appeal.

The Romanian Language Requirement

Romanian language proficiency is required for all citizenship routes. The standard is sufficient knowledge to integrate into social life, which in practice means:

For naturalisation. The language is assessed during the citizenship interview. The applicant must be able to understand questions in Romanian and respond coherently. The level expected is approximately B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) — intermediate, able to handle everyday communication.

For restoration (post-2025 reforms). Following legislative reforms, applicants for restoration of citizenship are increasingly required to provide a formal language certificate at level B1 or equivalent. Alternatively, evidence of having completed education in Romanian (a diploma from a Romanian-language school or university) may satisfy the requirement.

Preparation. Applicants should invest in Romanian language study well before applying. Language courses are available in Romania and online, and several institutions offer B1-level certification examinations. Attempting the citizenship interview without adequate Romanian is one of the most common reasons for failure.

The Oath of Allegiance

After ANC approves the citizenship application and publishes the decision, the applicant must take the oath of allegiance (jurământul de credință) to become a Romanian citizen.

Content. The oath is a formal declaration of loyalty to Romania, commitment to respect the Constitution and laws, and dedication to the defence of the country’s sovereignty and integrity.

Ceremony. The oath is taken at a ceremony organised by ANC in Bucharest or, for applicants residing abroad, at the Romanian embassy or consulate. The applicant must attend in person.

Deadline. The applicant must take the oath within the period specified by law. Failing to take the oath within the deadline may result in the citizenship decision being revoked. The deadline has varied with legislative changes, so applicants should verify the current requirement.

Effect. Romanian citizenship is acquired upon taking the oath — not upon the ANC decision. Until the oath is taken, the applicant is not yet a Romanian citizen and cannot apply for Romanian identity documents or a passport.

How to Obtain a Romanian Passport After Citizenship

After taking the oath and receiving the citizenship certificate, the new citizen must complete several administrative steps before obtaining a Romanian passport:

Step 1: Register civil status documents. The applicant’s foreign birth certificate (and, if applicable, marriage certificate) must be transcribed into the Romanian civil registry. This is done at the local civil status office (Serviciul Public Comunitar Local de Evidență a Persoanelor — SPCLEP) in Romania or through the Romanian consulate for citizens residing abroad.

Step 2: Obtain a Romanian CNP. Once the birth certificate is transcribed, the applicant receives a Romanian CNP (Personal Numeric Code). The CNP is the foundational identifier for all Romanian administrative processes.

Step 3: Obtain a Romanian identity card or passport with foreign domicile. Citizens residing in Romania apply for a Romanian identity card (carte de identitate) from SPCLEP. Citizens residing abroad apply for a passport with foreign domicile (pașaport CRDS) through the Romanian consulate or the competent passport authority.

Step 4: Apply for the passport. The passport application is submitted in person (biometric data — photograph and fingerprints — must be captured). The applicant presents the Romanian identity card (if resident in Romania) or the citizenship certificate and transcribed civil status documents (if resident abroad), proof of fee payment, and any previous Romanian passport if applicable.

Processing time. Passport processing typically takes 10 to 30 working days. Express processing may be available for an additional fee. The civil registration steps preceding the passport application (transcription, CNP, identity card) can take additional weeks or months.

From Citizenship Approval to Passport: The Complete Timeline

The journey from citizenship approval to holding a Romanian passport in hand involves multiple sequential steps, each with its own processing time. Understanding the full timeline helps applicants plan realistically.

In total, the post-approval process — from oath to passport — can take anywhere from 3 to 12 months depending on the applicant’s location, the efficiency of the local civil registry, and whether any corrections or additional documentation are required during transcription. Applicants residing abroad typically face longer timelines due to consular processing capacity.

Rights and Obligations of Romanian Citizens

Romanian citizenship confers the full set of rights and obligations established by the Romanian Constitution and EU law:

• EU free movement. The right to live, work, study, and retire in any EU member state without a visa, work permit, or residency restriction. This is one of the most significant practical benefits of Romanian citizenship.
• Voting rights. The right to vote in Romanian national and local elections, in European Parliament elections, and in referendums. Romanian citizens residing in other EU countries can vote in local and European elections in their country of residence.
• Consular protection. Access to consular assistance from any EU member state’s embassy or consulate in countries where Romania does not have diplomatic representation.
• Passport and travel. A Romanian passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 170 countries and territories, making it one of the strongest passports globally.
• Property rights. Full right to own land and property in Romania without any restriction (unlike non-EU citizens, who cannot own land directly in their personal name).
• Obligations. Romanian citizens are subject to Romanian law, including tax obligations when resident in Romania, potential military service obligations (currently suspended but constitutionally provided for), and the duty to respect the Constitution and laws.

Dual Citizenship

Romania permits dual and multiple citizenship. Acquiring Romanian citizenship does not require the applicant to renounce their existing nationality. Similarly, a Romanian citizen who acquires a foreign citizenship retains Romanian citizenship automatically.

However, the applicant’s home country may have different rules. Some countries require their citizens to renounce the original nationality when acquiring another, or may not recognise dual citizenship. The applicant should verify the rules of their current country of citizenship before proceeding with the Romanian application.

From a practical perspective, dual citizenship means that the new Romanian citizen retains full rights in their country of origin (subject to that country’s laws) while gaining full EU citizenship rights through Romania — including the right to live and work in any EU member state, vote in European Parliament elections, and travel on a Romanian EU passport.

Common Mistakes Applicants Make

• Submitting fraudulent or falsified archive documents. ANC verifies documents with Romanian and foreign archives. Submitting falsified birth certificates, fabricated family trees, or altered historical documents is a criminal offence and results in permanent rejection.
• Incomplete ancestral chain. For restoration applications, every link in the family chain — from the applicant back to the Romanian ancestor — must be documented with official civil status certificates. A single missing birth or marriage certificate can halt the entire process.
• Name discrepancies. Variations in spelling, transliteration, or name changes across generations and countries must be explained and documented. A name that appears as ‘Popescu’ in one document and ‘Popesco’ in another requires clarification, typically through a notarised declaration or archival evidence.
• Missing apostilles or translations. Every foreign document must be apostilled (or legalised) and translated into Romanian by an authorised translator. Documents without apostille or without translation are rejected.
• Miscounting the residency period. Years with absences exceeding six months may not count. Applicants who travel frequently must calculate their qualifying period carefully, accounting for every period of absence.
• Extended absences from Romania. For naturalisation, continuous legal residence means actually living in Romania. Holding a residence permit while spending most of the year abroad undermines the residency requirement.
• Missing the oath deadline. After ANC approves citizenship, the applicant must take the oath within the specified period. Missing the deadline can result in the decision being revoked, requiring a new application.
• Trying to get a passport before civil registration. The passport cannot be issued until the birth certificate is transcribed into the Romanian civil registry and a CNP is assigned. Attempting to skip these steps wastes time.

Frequently Asked Questions