In short
US citizens can visit Romania visa-free for 90 days in any 180 but cannot work. To stay longer you first get a long-stay D visa from a Romanian consulate (€120), then a residence permit from IGI. Remote workers can use the digital nomad visa (RON 27,576 a month, about €5,220, in 2026); employees need a work authorisation obtained by the employer or the EU Blue Card (RON 9,192 a month). There is no retirement or golden visa. Income tax is a flat 10% — the 0% IT exemption ended in 2025 — plus 25% pension and 10% health contributions for employees. Other residents can join public healthcare for RON 2,430 a year. A single person spends about €1,070–1,280 a month in the big cities including rent.
Living in 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 |
|---|---|
| Schengen | Full Schengen member — air and sea borders since 31 March 2024, land borders since 1 January 2025# Source: eucrim - Bulgaria and Romania Fully Join Schengen |
| 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) |
| Digital nomad stay | The right of residence is granted for 6 months and extended 6 months at a time; it does not give the right to work for Romanian clients or employers estimate# Source: Capital.ro - Regimul juridic al nomazilor digitali · E-Visa portal MAE |
| 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 |
| Family reunification | D/VF visa for spouses and children of foreigners with a right of residence (generally at least 1 year) who have means, housing and health insurance# Source: E-Visa portal MAE |
| Residence permit | Issued by IGI after arrival; apply at least 30 days before your visa ends; card fee RON 259; your personal number (CNP) is printed on it# Source: IGI - General Inspectorate for Immigration (official site) · Stirile ProTV - Permisul de ședere: acte necesare (259 lei) |
| 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) |
| Social contributions | Employees pay 25% pension (CAS) and 10% health (CASS); employers add 2.25%# Source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries - Romania Individual: Other taxes (reviewed 25 Sep 2026) |
| Tax residence | You become tax-resident if Romania is your home or centre of vital interests, or after more than 183 days in any 12 months# Source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries - Romania: Residence |
| Healthcare | Employees are covered through the 10% health contribution; other residents can join the public system (CNAS) by paying RON 2,430 for 12 months (2026)# Source: Digi24 - Cum devii asigurat la sănătate dacă nu ai loc de muncă (2026) · Economica.net - Asigurarea la sănătate fără venituri costă 2.430 lei în 2026 |
| 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 |
| US reporting | FBAR if your foreign accounts exceed $10,000 in total; Form 8938 above $200,000 at year-end ($300,000 at any time) for a single filer abroad# Source: IRS - Comparison of Form 8938 and FBAR requirements |
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. A few points differ:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| EU citizens | Register their stay after 3 months; no visa or work permit needed. |
|---|---|
| Tax treaty and Social Security | The US has both with Romania (the Social Security agreement since 1 September 2026); check your own country. |
| 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 |
Overview
Romania — Your Complete American Expat Guide
Romania has 21.65 million people, has been in the EU since 2007 and in NATO since 2004, and became a full Schengen member on 1 January 2025. Costs are among the lowest in the EU, home internet is very fast and the US travel advisory is Level 1. The trade-offs are paperwork in Romanian, a currency that is not the euro and no visa for retirees.
We help you choose the right route, prepare your documents and settle into Romanian life.
In Romania the old shortcuts are gone — no 0% tax for IT, no applying from inside the country. Plan the D visa first and everything else follows.
Our Services
Your Pathway to Romania
Route analysis
Digital nomad visa, work permit, EU Blue Card, business visa, family reunification or Romanian ancestry.
Application support
D visa through eviza.mae.ro, apostilles, sworn translations and the IGI residence permit.
Business set-up
SRL registration, micro-enterprise tax and the US filings that come with it.
Settling in
Personal number (CNP), bank account, CNAS or private healthcare and tax registration.
Long-term planning
Long-term residence, citizenship — or restoring citizenship through Romanian parents or grandparents.
Visas & Residency
Navigating Romanian Visas & Residency
Americans can stay 90 days in any 180 across the Schengen area without a visa, but cannot work. Every residence route starts with a long-stay D visa applied for online through eviza.mae.ro and submitted at the Romanian embassy in Washington or a consulate. The fee is €120, and the decision can take up to 60 days. After arrival, IGI issues the residence permit.
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. The right of residence is granted 6 months at a time.
- Income
- RON 27,576/month
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.
- Visa
- D/AM
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.
- Min. salary
- RON 9,192/month
Business Visa (D/AC)
For company founders: a business plan approved by the ministry plus a minimum investment and new jobs — published thresholds differ (about €70,000–100,000 and up to 10 jobs), so confirm the current rule before planning.
Company formation guide →Family Reunification
D/VF visa for spouses and children of foreigners with a right of residence (generally at least 1 year) who have means, housing and health insurance.
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. Applications take up to 2 years by law.
Romania has no golden visa, no citizenship by investment and no retirement or passive-income visa.
Cost of Living
Romania Cost of Living for Americans
Romania is one of the cheapest EU countries, though Bucharest rents have risen. At about RON 5.28 to €1 (autumn 2026):
| 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. Source: Numbeo: Bucharest · Numbeo: Cluj-Napoca
Tax
10% flat; the 0% exemption for IT workers ended in January 2025. Employees pay 25% pension (CAS) and 10% health (CASS); employers add 2.25%. Dividends are taxed at 16% from 2026. You become tax-resident if Romania is your home or centre of vital interests, or after more than 183 days in any 12 months.
Healthcare
Employees are covered through the 10% health contribution; other residents can join the public system (CNAS) by paying RON 2,430 for 12 months (2026). Many expats also use private clinic networks for faster, English-speaking care.
Where to Live
Top Destinations for American Expats in Romania
Bucharest
The capital and business centre, with the largest expat community. Living in Bucharest guide →
Cluj-Napoca
Transylvania's university and tech city — costs close to Bucharest.
Brașov
Medieval old town at the foot of the Carpathians.
Timișoara
Green western city with Habsburg-era architecture and lower costs.
Sibiu
Smaller Saxon town in Transylvania, known for its squares and festivals.
Expat Tips
Essential Tips for Americans Relocating to Romania
Get the D visa before you move
You cannot turn a visa-free stay into residence inside Romania — apply at a consulate first.
Don't plan around the 0% IT tax
It ended in January 2025; everyone pays the flat 10% income tax.
Check your family history
If a parent or grandparent was Romanian, restoring citizenship may beat any visa. Since 2025 you need a B1 Romanian certificate.
Learn some Romanian
It is a Latin language and helps with paperwork, landlords and long-term residence.
Keep your US filings
FBAR if your foreign accounts exceed $10,000 in total; Form 8938 above $200,000 at year-end ($300,000 at any time) for a single filer abroad. In force since 1 September 2026 — avoids paying into both systems and lets you combine credits.
Why Partner With Us
Expert Guidance for Your Romanian Relocation
We work with Romanian immigration lawyers, sworn translators and accountants who handle residence, business and citizenship cases for Americans.
We check every route against current rules before you commit. As you shortlist advisers, LocalVouch is an independent source of verified client reviews.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the digital nomad visa from inside Romania?
No. The D/AS visa is issued by Romanian embassies and consulates in the country where you live. After arrival you apply to IGI for the residence permit.
How much income do I need for the digital nomad visa?
At least 3 times Romania's average gross salary for each of the last 6 months — RON 27,576 a month (about €5,220) in 2026. The figure changes when the official average salary is updated.
How long does it take to get Romanian citizenship?
8 years of legal residence, or 5 if you are married to and living with a Romanian. You pass an interview on the language, culture and Constitution, and the authority has up to 2 years to decide. Dual citizenship is allowed.
Is Romania affordable for Americans?
Yes compared with Western Europe — about €1,070–1,280 a month for a single person including a central 1-bedroom in the big cities (Numbeo, 2026).
Do I pay into both US and Romanian Social Security?
Not if the agreement applies. The US–Romania Social Security agreement has been in force since 1 September 2026; workers sent to Romania for up to 5 years can stay in the US system, and credits can be combined.
Romania
Everything about moving to Romania
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