The Romania Golden Visa represents an opportunity for investors seeking access to EU Residency by Investment. The program is currently at the draft legislation stage. It aims to facilitate access to residency and, ultimately, Romanian citizenship for non-EU nationals.
According to Profit.ro, the program would offer a renewable five-year residence permit in exchange for a minimum investment of €400,000. Applicants would also have the option to include their family members under the same permit.
The Romania Golden Visa Program would offer four main categories of investment:
The program requires that the chosen investment be maintained for the entire duration of the residence permit. There is no minimum annual stay requirement in Romania, meaning that investors can retain their status without physically residing in the country.
To ensure transparency and security, applicants must:
Before issuing the permits, Romanian authorities will consult the SRI (Romanian Intelligence Service), the SIE (Foreign Intelligence Service), and the ONPCSB (National Office for the Prevention and Combating of Money Laundering). This review ensures that applicants present a secure and compliant profile, protecting the integrity of the Romania Golden Visa Program.
The draft legislation specifies that investors would have access to permanent residency after five years and could apply for Romanian citizenship in accordance with Law no. 21/1991. However, the exact timeline for eligibility for naturalization remains unclear: investors may first need to obtain permanent residency before submitting their citizenship application.
Romania Investment Immigration is part of a global wave of residency-by-investment programs, joining countries such as the Maldives, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and the United Arab Emirates. This positions Romania as a competitive alternative among European Golden Visa programs, offering investors a combination of security, flexibility, and access to the European market.
To benefit from the Romania Golden Visa , investors must meet several key conditions and requirements.
Applicants must prove the legal origin of their investment funds and not be listed on any international sanctions lists. Before issuing the permits, Romanian authorities will consult the SRI (Romanian Intelligence Service), the SIE (Foreign Intelligence Service), and the ONPCSB (National Office for the Prevention and Combating of Money Laundering). This process ensures that each investor presents a secure and reliable profile, protecting the integrity of the Romania Residency by Investment Program.
A key principle of the program is that the chosen investment must be maintained for the entire duration of the residence permit, which is five years. Eligible investment options include:
Maintaining the investment not only ensures the validity of the permit but also contributes to the economic and financial stability of the country.
The Romania Golden Visa stands out among other European Golden Visa programs for its flexibility regarding residence. There is no minimum annual stay required to maintain resident status, allowing investors to benefit from Romanian residency without physically living in the country. This flexible approach makes the program particularly attractive for international investors and their families.
In addition to the Romania Golden Visa , there is a long-stay visa for carrying out commercial activities. This program is designed for foreign associates or shareholders with management responsibilities in Romanian companies who plan to make a significant investment.
To qualify, applicants must:
This visa grants legal residency in Romania, allowing investors to develop their commercial activity and potentially prepare for permanent residency or Romanian citizenship.
The Romania Golden Visa must still go through a full legislative process before becoming official. This program is part of the broader EU Residency by Investment framework and could quickly position Romania as one of the most attractive destinations for international investors.
The exact timeline remains uncertain, but if the bill proceeds smoothly, the program could become operational as early as 2026. Relevant ministries (Interior, Economy, Finance) would then define the methodological standards, application procedures, fees, and monitoring protocols.
The Romania Investment Visa joins a global wave of residency-by-investment programs launched in . For comparison:
With a minimum investment of €400,000, the Romania Golden Visa Program positions itself as a competitive and accessible option in Europe, combining flexibility, security, and potential access to Romanian citizenship.
