Business Licensing in Romania – Which Licence You Need and Who Issues It
Crypto · Forex · Gambling · Transport · Taxi · Alcohol · Pharma · and more
Romania licenses regulated business activities through separate authorities: ASF and BNR for financial services, ONJN for gambling, ARR for road haulage and ride-hailing, the city hall for taxis and alcohol sales, the Ministry of Health and ANMDMR for pharmacies and medicines. Each of them issues its own licence, authorisation or registration 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 Advisory S.R.L. 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 partner lawyer and our accounting and company establishment teams.
Every company registers at the Trade Register (ONRC) and signs a self-declaration that its premises meet sanitary, veterinary, environmental and labour-safety rules; a separate licence is needed only for regulated activities. A taxi or alcohol authorisation from the city hall takes weeks and needs no minimum capital. A gambling licence from ONJN takes 3–6 months, and since February 2026 each gambling venue also needs an annual authorisation from its city hall. A MiCA crypto authorisation requires €50,000 to €150,000 in prudential capital, and Romania has not yet designated the authority that grants it (ASF is expected); an investment firm authorisation takes 12–18 months and up to €750,000.
On this page: common mistakes · permits every company needs · seven regulated sectors · licence by business type · how we work · who issues licences · FAQ
Licensing services in Romania
per licence, fees by type below
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 our partner lawyer, accounting and company establishment teams
Indicative engagement fees – by licence type
- Crypto / MiCA CASP authorisation (ASF once designated, or EU passport) 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
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.
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. 6491 – financial leasing, which also requires registration with BNR as a non-bank financial institution) 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, insurance), BNR (banks, payment institutions, e-money), ONJN (gambling), 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 €20,000 for a payment institution that only offers money remittance to €750,000 for an investment firm dealing on its own account. 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. |
Permits Every Romanian Company Needs, Licensed Sector or Not
Under Law 359/2004, art. 15, a company is authorised to operate once its standard self-declaration is entered in the Trade Register: the founders confirm that the premises meet sanitary, veterinary, environmental and labour-safety rules. Some activities still need a permit from a specific office, and these come on top of any sector licence below. A bar, for example, needs the city-hall operating permit, DSVSA food registration, an alcohol sales authorisation and, depending on its floor area and capacity, an ISU fire safety authorisation.
| Permit | Who issues it | When it is needed |
|---|---|---|
| Trade Register registration with CAEN Rev.3 codes and self-declaration | ONRC (Trade Register Office) | Every company and branch, before any activity – see registering a Romanian SRL |
| Operating permit for retail, food service and market trading (acord / autorizație de funcționare) | City hall (primărie) where the premises are | Shops, restaurants, bars, cafés and market stalls; conditions and the annual visa are set by each city hall under Government Ordinance 99/2000 |
| Food business registration or authorisation | County sanitary-veterinary directorate (DSVSA, under ANSVSA) | Production, storage, transport and sale of food, restaurants included – ANSVSA Order 111/2008 |
| Fire safety authorisation | County emergency inspectorate (ISU) | Buildings and premises in the categories of Government Decision 571/2016, which depend on floor area, capacity and use |
| Environmental permit | County environmental protection agency (APM) | Activities with environmental impact, such as waste management or fuel stations – procedure of Order 1798/2007 |
| Sanitary authorisation | County public health directorate (DSP) | Clinics, medical offices and other activities with a public-health risk |
Licensing Areas – Seven Regulated Sectors Covered
Romania for Business Advisory S.R.L. 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: Romanian competent authority not yet designated (ASF expected)
MiCA authorisation for crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) – required for every provider since the EU transitional period ended on 1 July 2026. Until Romania designates its authority, Romanian clients are served under another EU state’s licence with passporting.
- MiCA CASP authorisation (Class 1, 2 or 3)
- MiCA compliance framework
- AML / CFT programme
- Prudential capital €50k, €125k or €150k
- Application – to ASF once designated, or to another EU authority with passporting
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 €750k, €150k or €75k, depending on the investment services and activities performed
- Fit and proper assessment
- Ongoing ASF reporting
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
- Annual city-hall authorisation per venue (since 2026)
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
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
- Ride-hailing authorisation from ARR
- Bucharest vs other cities
Alcohol Licence
Regulator: Local authority (primărie) / ANAF excise office
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
Pharma Licence
Regulator: Ministry of Health (pharmacies) and ANMDMR (wholesale, import, manufacturing)
Operating authorisation for a community pharmacy from the Ministry of Health, or a wholesale distribution authorisation from ANMDMR.
- Community pharmacy licence
- Wholesale pharma distribution
- Pharmacist qualification requirement
- GMP / GDP compliance
- ANMDMR periodic inspection
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 | MiCA CASP authorisation – Romanian competent authority not yet designated (ASF expected); until then via another EU state’s licence with passporting | 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 authorisation from the city hall; ride-hailing (alternative transport) authorisation from ARR | Taxi Licence → |
| Bar / restaurant / retailer | Alcohol licence (autorizație comercializare băuturi alcoolice) | Alcohol Licence → |
| Pharmacy / medicinal products | Pharmacy authorisation from the Ministry of Health; wholesale licence from ANMDMR | 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 → |
| Energy supplier or gas trader | Supply or trading licence from ANRE; gas licences follow ANRE Order 83/2025 since January 2026 | Contact us → |
| Telecom or internet provider | General authorisation by notification to ANCOM; spectrum use needs a separate licence | Contact us → |
| Food producer, shop or restaurant | DSVSA food registration and city-hall operating permit; see permits every company needs | 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. |
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, plus the city-hall authorisation for each venue. A MiCA crypto authorisation takes about 3–4 months for Class 1 services and 6–12 months for custody, exchange or a trading platform, counted in the EU state that accepts the application – Romania has not yet designated its authority. 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 and other financial sectors within ASF competence; expected MiCA authority for crypto-asset service providers – not yet designated (7 October 2026) |
| BNR | Banca Națională a României | Credit institutions (banks), payment institutions (PSD2), e-money institutions (EMI), non-bank financial institutions (IFN) including leasing, foreign exchange, consumer credit |
| ONJN | Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc | Online and physical gambling – casino, betting, lottery, slot machines, bingo, poker |
| ANMDMR | Agenția Națională a Medicamentului și a Dispozitivelor Medicale din România | Medicines manufacturing, import and wholesale, medical devices, clinical trials; community pharmacies are authorised by the Ministry of Health |
| ARR | Autoritatea Rutieră Română | Road transport – national and international freight (CMR), passenger transport, ride-hailing (alternative transport) operator authorisation under Government Emergency Ordinance 49/2019; taxis are authorised by the city hall |
| ANPC | Autoritatea Națională pentru Protecția Consumatorilor | Consumer protection – inspections of shops, restaurants and service providers; ANPC does not issue operating licences |
| 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 | Sanitary authorisation for healthcare providers, medical offices and clinics; receives pharmacy authorisation files for the Ministry of Health |
| IGPR | Inspectoratul General al Poliției Române | Private security services, detective agencies, weapons transport |
| ANRE | Autoritatea Națională de Reglementare în Domeniul Energiei | Electricity and natural gas – generation, supply and trading licences |
| ANCOM | Autoritatea Națională pentru Administrare și Reglementare în Comunicații | Electronic communications networks and services (general authorisation by notification), radio spectrum licences, postal services |
| DSVSA / ANSVSA | Autoritatea Națională Sanitară Veterinară și pentru Siguranța Alimentelor and its county directorates | Food business registration and authorisation – production, storage, retail, restaurants |
| ISU | Inspectoratul pentru Situații de Urgență (county) | Fire safety authorisation for buildings and premises |
| APM | Agenția pentru Protecția Mediului (county) | Environmental permits for activities with environmental impact |