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. 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 several agencies. Those include the SRI (Romanian Intelligence Service). They also include the SIE (Foreign Intelligence Service) and the ONPCSB (National Office for the Prevention and Combating of Money Laundering). This review ensures a secure and compliant applicant profile. It also protects the integrity of the Romania Golden Visa Program.
The draft legislation specifies access to permanent residency after five years. Investors could also apply for Romanian citizenship under Law no. 21/1991. The exact naturalization timeline remains unclear. Investors may first need permanent residency before applying for citizenship.
Romania Investment Immigration is part of a global wave of residency-by-investment programs. It joins countries such as the Maldives, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and the United Arab Emirates. This positions Romania as a competitive alternative among European Golden Visa programs. It offers 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. They must not appear on international sanctions lists. Before issuing permits, Romanian authorities consult the SRI, SIE, and ONPCSB. This process ensures each investor presents a secure and reliable profile. It also protects program integrity.
A key principle of the program is that the chosen investment must be maintained for the entire duration of the residence permit. That period is five years. Eligible investment options include:
Maintaining the investment not only ensures the validity of the permit. It also contributes to the economic and financial stability of the country.
The Romania Golden Visa stands out among other European Golden Visa programs. Residence rules are flexible. There is no minimum annual stay to keep resident status. Investors can hold Romanian residency without living in the country. That makes the program 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 for foreign associates or shareholders with management roles in Romanian companies. They must plan a significant investment.
To qualify, applicants must:
This visa grants legal residency in Romania. Investors can develop their commercial activity. They may also 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. It could quickly position Romania as one of the most attractive destinations for international investors.
The exact timeline remains uncertain. 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. They would also set application procedures, fees, and monitoring protocols.
The Romania Investment Visa joins a global wave of residency-by-investment programs. For comparison:
With a minimum investment of €400,000, the Romania Golden Visa Program is competitive in Europe. It is accessible. It combines flexibility and security. It also offers a path toward Romanian citizenship.
