In short
US citizens can visit Romania visa-free for 90 days in any 180 but cannot work. Every longer stay starts with a long-stay D visa from a Romanian consulate (€120), followed by a residence permit from the immigration office IGI. The main routes are the digital nomad visa (income of RON 27,576 a month, about €5,220, in 2026), a job with a work authorisation or the EU Blue Card (RON 9,192 a month), a business visa, family reunification and study. Romania has no retirement or golden visa. Descendants of Romanian citizens can often regain citizenship without living there. Income tax is a flat 10%, and a single person in Bucharest spends about €1,280 a month including a central 1-bedroom.
Moving to Romania: key facts
Last verified 28 September 2026| Visits | US citizens can stay visa-free up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area, without working; the Entry/Exit System registers entries since April 2026# Source: Romania International Travel Information - US State Dept · Georgetown OGS - Update on EU EES and ETIAS |
|---|---|
| Long-stay D visa | Every residence route starts with a long-stay D visa from a Romanian embassy or consulate, applied for online through eviza.mae.ro; fee €120; decision within up to 60 days# Source: E-Visa portal MAE · UAUIM - Visas and permits (long-stay visa processing fee 120 EUR) |
| Digital nomad visa | Since 2022: work remotely, as an employee or owner, for a company registered outside Romania, with income of at least 3 times the average gross salary for the last 6 months — RON 27,576 a month (≈ €5,220) in 2026; apply at a Romanian consulate# Source: E-Visa portal MAE · Alba24 - Noi valori pentru pensii si contributii 2026 (CNPP announcement, Law 44/2026) |
| Work permit | The employer first gets a work authorisation (aviz de muncă) from the immigration office IGI (fee €100, decided in 30–45 days); you then apply for a D/AM visa; residence permit up to 2 years; national quota 90,000 workers in 2026# Source: IGI - General Inspectorate for Immigration (official site) · Economedia - Aviz de muncă fees · EY Romania tax alert 7 Mar 2024 - Law 28/2024 · Economedia - Ministerul Muncii: contingent de 90.000 pentru 2026 |
| EU Blue Card | Salary of at least the average gross salary — RON 9,192 a month (≈ €1,740) in 2026; a degree or 5 years' experience (3 for IT); contract of at least 6 months; valid up to 3 years# Source: KPMG GMS Flash Alert 2024-067 (Romania Law 28/2024) · EY Romania tax alert 7 Mar 2024 - Law 28/2024 |
| Golden visa and retirement | Romania has no golden visa, no citizenship by investment and no retirement or passive-income visa# Source: Romania Insider - Long-stay visa for commercial activities (foreign investors) · E-Visa portal MAE |
| Long-term residence | After 5 years of legal residence (absences up to 6 months in a row, 10 months in total) with income of at least the minimum net wage, health insurance, housing and Romanian at a "satisfactory" level# Source: Legeaz - OUG 194/2002 art. 71 (consolidated) |
| Citizenship | 8 years of legal residence (5 if married to and living with a Romanian); interview on the Romanian language, culture, the Constitution and the anthem; the legal deadline for a decision is 2 years; dual citizenship allowed# Source: Law 21/1991 on Romanian citizenship (republished) - SRI legislation copy · Spotmedia - Cetățenia română, mai greu de obținut (Law 14/2025) |
| Citizenship by descent | Former citizens and their descendants up to the 2nd degree (3rd if citizenship was lost involuntarily) can regain citizenship without living in Romania; a B1 Romanian certificate is required since 2025# Source: Capital.ro - Legea 14/2025 B1 requirement for restoration |
| Income tax | 10% flat; the 0% exemption for IT workers ended in January 2025# Source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries - Romania Individual: Taxes on personal income (reviewed 25 Sep 2026) · Fiscalitatea.ro - Cine nu mai este scutit de impozit in 2025 (OUG 156/2024) |
| US tax treaty | Signed 1973, in force since 1976; dividend withholding capped at 10%; the US still taxes its citizens (saving clause)# Source: IRS - Romania Technical Explanation (1973) |
| US–Romania Social Security agreement | In force since 1 September 2026 — avoids paying into both systems and lets you combine credits# Source: SSA - U.S.-Romania Social Security Agreement text |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
Romania's residence rules are the same for all non-EU citizens, so Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Brits follow the same routes as Americans. Only a few points differ:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| Short stays | Visa-exempt citizens (including the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK) can stay 90 days in any 180 across Schengen; others need a Schengen visa. |
|---|---|
| Tax and social security | Americans have a tax treaty (1973) and, since September 2026, a Social Security agreement with Romania; check what your own country has signed. |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them. Add sworn Romanian translations.Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
Country Overview
Romania at a Glance
Key facts Americans need before deciding.
Bucharest
About 1.72 million people (2.3 million with Ilfov county) — the business, IT and government centre.
Romanian + English
Romanian is a Latin language. English is common in business and among younger people; paperwork is in Romanian.
Romanian Leu (RON)
Not the euro, and no adoption date. €1 ≈ RON 5.28 (ECB, 30 September 2026).
One stop
Bucharest Henri Coandă (OTP) connects through the main European hubs.
CNAS + private
Employees are covered through their contributions; other residents can join for RON 2,430 a year (2026). Many expats add private care.
21.65 million
1 January 2026. Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara and Iași are the biggest cities.
Very fast
Bucharest ranked 6th in the world for fixed broadband speed (Ookla, 2025).
EU, NATO & Schengen
EU since 2007, NATO since 2004, full Schengen member since 1 January 2025.
Pathways to Residency
Which Visa Route is Right for You?
US citizens can stay visa-free for 90 days in any 180 but cannot work. Every residence route starts with a long-stay D visa from a Romanian consulate — you cannot switch from a visa-free stay inside Romania.
Digital Nomad Visa
For employees and owners of companies registered outside Romania who work remotely. You need income of at least 3 times Romania's average gross salary for the last 6 months, health insurance and housing. You may not work for Romanian employers or clients.
- Income
- RON 27,576/month (≈ €5,220, 2026)
- Visa
- D/AS, at a consulate
- Stay
- 6 months at a time
- Tax
- No special regime
Work Permit
The employer gets a work authorisation (aviz de muncă) from IGI, then you apply for a D/AM visa. The national quota for 2026 is 90,000 workers.
- Employer fee
- €100
- Authorisation
- 30–45 days
- Permit
- Up to 2 years
EU Blue Card
A job paying at least the average gross salary, with a degree or 5 years' experience (3 for IT) and a contract of at least 6 months.
- Min. salary
- RON 9,192/month (≈ €1,740)
- Valid
- Up to 3 years
Business Visa (D/AC)
For founders who invest and create jobs in Romania, with a business plan approved by the ministry. Owning a Romanian company does not give residence by itself.
- Thresholds
- Confirm before planning
Family Reunification & Students
Spouses and children of foreigners living legally in Romania (D/VF), and students at Romanian universities (D/SD, permit renewed each year).
- Sponsor
- Usually 1+ year of residence
Long-Term Residence & Citizenship
Long-term residence after 5 years with a "satisfactory" level of Romanian. Citizenship after 8 years (5 if married to a Romanian), and you can keep your US passport. Descendants of Romanian citizens can often regain citizenship without moving.
- Long-term residence
- After 5 years
- Citizenship
- After 8 years
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
Romania has no golden visa, no citizenship by investment and no retirement or passive-income visa. Retirees usually qualify only through family ties, citizenship by descent or another country's scheme.
Cost of Living
What Does Life in Romania Actually Cost?
Romania is among the cheapest EU countries. Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca and Brașov cost about the same; Timișoara and Iași are about 15% cheaper.
| City | 1-bed centre | Everyday costs | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bucharest | about €611 | about €667 | about €1,278 |
| Brașov | about €614 | about €649 | about €1,263 |
| Cluj-Napoca | about €568 | about €664 | about €1,232 |
| Iași | about €483 | about €605 | about €1,088 |
| Timișoara | about €481 | about €589 | about €1,070 |
Numbeo, single person, August–October 2026 (smaller samples outside Bucharest). Source: Numbeo: Bucharest · Cluj-Napoca · Timișoara · Iași · Brașov
A monthly pass for Bucharest's metro, buses and trams together costs RON 160 (≈ €30). Utilities for an 85 m² flat run about €140–180 a month.
Why Romania
What Americans Love About Romania
Beyond the visa — the real reasons expats choose Romania.
Low Costs
About €1,070–1,280 a month including a central 1-bedroom in the big cities — far below Western Europe.
Fast Internet
Bucharest ranks among the fastest cities in the world for home broadband, and fibre costs about €8 a month.
Full Schengen
Since January 2025 there are no border checks with neighbouring Hungary and Bulgaria.
Simple Income Tax
A flat 10% income tax, and a US Social Security agreement in force since September 2026.
Romanian Roots
Descendants of Romanian citizens can often regain citizenship — and an EU passport — without living there.
Mountains and History
The Carpathians, Transylvania's Saxon towns, painted monasteries and the Danube Delta.
Where to Live
Where to Live in Romania
From the capital to Transylvania — each city has its own rhythm.
Bucharest
The capital — jobs, international schools, nightlife and the largest expat community. Living in Bucharest guide →
Cluj-Napoca
Transylvania's university and tech city, with a lively historic centre — costs close to Bucharest.
Brașov
A medieval old town at the foot of the Carpathians, popular with outdoor lovers.
Timișoara
A green western city with Habsburg-era architecture and lower costs.
Sibiu
A smaller Saxon town in Transylvania, known for its squares and festivals.
How It Works
From Decision to Your Romanian Residence Permit
We guide you through every step — from first consultation to settled life in Romania.
Book a free consultation
We assess your situation — remote worker, employee, founder, family member or Romanian descendant — and confirm your best route.
Gather documents in the US
Get apostilled documents before you leave: FBI background check, birth and marriage certificates and proof of income, plus sworn Romanian translations.
Apply for the D visa
Apply online through eviza.mae.ro and submit at the Romanian embassy or a consulate (fee €120). For a job, your employer gets the work authorisation first.
Get your residence permit
After arrival, apply to IGI at least 30 days before your visa ends. Your card carries your personal number (CNP).
Settle in
Open a bank account, arrange health cover (CNAS or private) and register for taxes if you become resident. Welcome to Romania.
Free Tools
Plan Your Move with Our Calculators
Built specifically for Americans considering a European move.
Golden Visa Calculator
Compare investor residence programmes across the EU — real costs and requirements, not brochure figures.
Open Calculator →Cost of Living Calculator
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Frequently asked questions
What is Romania's digital nomad visa?
A long-stay D/AS visa, in force since 2022, for people who work remotely as employees or owners of a company registered outside Romania. You need income of at least 3 times the average gross salary for the last 6 months — RON 27,576 a month (about €5,220) in 2026 — plus health insurance and housing. You apply at a Romanian consulate, not from inside Romania, and you may not work for Romanian clients.
Can Americans retire in Romania?
Not on a dedicated visa — Romania has no retirement, passive-income or golden visa. Retirees usually need family ties, citizenship by descent or a route in another country. Note that since August 2025 a 10% health contribution applies to the part of any pension above RON 3,000 a month for Romanian residents.
Is the 0% income tax for IT workers still available?
No. It ended in January 2025. IT workers now pay the same flat 10% income tax as everyone else, plus 25% pension and 10% health contributions.
How much does it cost to live in Romania?
A single person spends about €1,280 a month in Bucharest including a central 1-bedroom (Numbeo, September 2026), about €1,230–1,260 in Cluj-Napoca or Brașov, and about €1,070–1,090 in Timișoara or Iași.
Is Romania in Schengen and the euro area?
Romania has been a full Schengen member since 1 January 2025 (air and sea since March 2024). It uses the leu, not the euro, and has no adoption date.
Does Romania allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Naturalised Americans keep their US passport. Descendants of Romanian citizens (up to grandchildren, sometimes great-grandchildren) can regain citizenship without living in Romania, but need a B1 Romanian certificate since 2025.
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