Romania · investor · Leads to settlement
Residency by Investment / Business Activities (Romania)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
If you want to invest or run a business in Romania, the live route is residence through qualifying business activity - a stand-alone golden visa was proposed in late 2025 but did not go ahead.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - ministry approval is needed before the long-stay visa, then IGI handles residence; confirm current processing on the official page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - investment and job-creation thresholds are set by law and indexed; confirm current figures on the official page.
- Typical duration
- Residence is tied to the business activity and renewable; a longer right to stay can follow at higher investment or job-creation levels - confirm current rules on the official page.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Overview
Romania does not currently operate a stand-alone golden visa. A residency-by-investment programme was proposed in late 2025 but was withdrawn before launch over Schengen and visa-waiver considerations, so we do not present it as a live route. What does exist is residence through business activity: non-EU nationals who are shareholders or managers of a Romanian company, with the required ministry approval, can obtain a long-stay (type D) visa and residence, and a longer right to stay can follow for those meeting higher investment or job-creation conditions. Figures here are indicative and defer to the official page. Romania became a full Schengen member in January 2025.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓You are a shareholder, or a member of the management or administration of a company registered in Romania.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
- ✓You hold the approval required from the responsible ministry for the long-stay business visa.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
- ✓You can meet higher investment or job-creation conditions if seeking the longer right to stay.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
- ✓You hold a valid passport and meet the general conditions for residence.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
Common blockers
- !No qualifying shareholding or management role in a Romanian company.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
- !Missing the ministry approval needed before the long-stay business visa.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
- !Expecting a stand-alone golden visa, which was proposed in 2025 but withdrawn before launch.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Valid passport and recent photographs.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
- ·Company registration documents showing your shareholding or management role.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
- ·The ministry approval and proof of the qualifying investment or job creation.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
- ·Proof of payment of the applicable fees.General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm your shareholding or management role in a Romanian company and the investment or job-creation level you can meet.
Build the evidence pack
Obtain the required ministry approval and document your investment or jobs created, with your passport.
Submit through the official channel
Apply for the long-stay (type D) business visa, then apply to IGI for the residence permit and pay the fees.
After approval
Maintain the qualifying activity, renew on time, and track eligibility for a longer right to stay and EU long-term residence.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Residency by Investment / Business Activities (Romania) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Residency by Investment / Business Activities (Romania).
General Inspectorate for Immigration (Romania) · verified
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Related routes
Single Permit for Work and Residence
If you are a non-EU national with a Romanian job offer, the single permit is the main route - one document covering both your work and your residence.
EU Long-Term Residence (Romania)
If you have lived in Romania continuously for five years, this is your settlement status - a long-term right to stay with EU-wide mobility benefits.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy residence in Romania through a golden visa?+
Not currently - a stand-alone golden visa was proposed in late 2025 but withdrawn before launch. The live route is residence through genuine business activity. Confirm the current position on the official IGI page.
How much do I need to invest?+
Investment and job-creation thresholds are set by law and indexed, so we do not quote a figure here. Confirm the current amounts on the official IGI page.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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