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Golden Visa Partners

2026 Program Guide

Romania Golden Visa & Residence Permit

Romania does not have a golden visa program; residence is generally obtained through company formation, employment, or study. As an EU member and, from 2025, a full Schengen member, the country offers an attractive base for entrepreneurs establishing businesses thanks to its reasonable costs and growing economy. A separate Digital Nomad Visa is available for remote workers.

Last updated: 2026-07-07 · Reviewed by: Burak Ünal

At a glance

Golden visa
None
Company / business
Company formation or employment
Digital nomad
Separate visa available
Membership
EU + Schengen (2025)
Citizenship
After long-term residence

Who is it for?

  • Entrepreneurs wishing to establish a company in Romania.
  • Remote workers (see the Digital Nomad Visa).
  • Those wishing to live in a reasonably priced, growing EU economy.
  • Those wishing to relocate with their families.

Business and Employment Instead of a Golden Visa

Romania does not sell residence through direct investment; residence is generally obtained by establishing a Romanian company, employment, or study. Cities such as Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca offer a strong tech ecosystem. A separate Digital Nomad Visa is available for remote workers.

EU and Schengen (2025)

Romania is an EU member and became a full member of the Schengen area in 2025, providing residence holders with a strong travel advantage. There is also a path to permanent residence and citizenship after long-term legal residence.

Remote Workers and Digital Nomads

Romania does not sell residence through a fixed investment, which shifts the focus to how you actually intend to earn or study while you are there. Entrepreneurs commonly form a company, employees rely on a job offer, and students qualify through enrolment, each supported by proof of subsistence and health insurance. Remote workers have a route of their own in the separate Digital Nomad Visa, which fits professionals who keep foreign clients or employers while basing themselves in a growing economy with fast internet and active technology hubs. The general path is straightforward: choose your category, prepare documents, apply, and receive a residence card, with citizenship available after long-term residence. As an EU member that became a full Schengen member in 2025, Romania combines reasonable living costs with wide regional access. Family members can be included, so relocating with a household is realistic. Because eligibility hinges on your working arrangement rather than a set sum, the sensible first step is to identify which category matches your situation, ideally with an adviser who can confirm current requirements.

Benefits

  • EU membership and full Schengen membership from 2025.
  • Reasonable cost of living and a growing economy.
  • Fast internet and technology hubs.
  • Family members can be included.

Requirements

  • Proof of company formation, employment, or study.
  • Proof of subsistence and health insurance.
  • Clean criminal record.

Costs

Fixed investment threshold
None (depends on category)
Fees
Apply separately

Process

  1. Category selection

    Determining the business, employment, or study route.

  2. Document preparation

    Preparing company or employment documents.

  3. Application

    Residence application.

  4. Residence card

    Obtaining the residence card after approval.

FAQ

Does Romania have a golden visa?
No. Residence is obtained through routes such as company formation, employment, or study.
Can I get residence by starting a company?
Yes, establishing and operating a Romanian company can serve as a basis for residence.
Is Romania in Schengen?
Yes, it became a full member of the Schengen area in 2025.
Is there an option for remote workers?
Yes, a separate Digital Nomad Visa is available for remote workers.

Sources

Disclaimer: Golden Visa Partners is an investment and immigration advisory firm; it does not provide legal or attorney services. The investment amounts, timelines and program conditions on this page are for general guidance only and, because regulations change quickly, may be out of date. Before making any decision, we recommend consulting current official sources and obtaining independent legal and financial advice.

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