Romania Romanian Citizenship by Descent — Citizenship Program

📋 Digital Nomad 🏠 Residency 🏆 Citizenship 🎓 Student

🏆 OVERVIEW

Country 🇷🇴 Romania

Program Romanian Citizenship by Descent

Local Name Cetățenia Română prin Descendență

Type Citizenship by Descent

Status Active

Processing Time 180-730 days

Dual Citizenship Allowed

Visa-Free Countries 178 destinations

Passport Rank #11 (Henley Index)

Romanian citizenship restoration for descendants up to the third generation (parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent). Covers descendants of persons born in Romania or former Romanian territories (1918-1940), including regions now in Moldova, Ukraine, Serbia, and Bulgaria. As of March 15, 2025 (Law 14/2025), a B1 Romanian language requirement applies to most applicants.

💵 FEES & COSTS

Application Fee $54

Passport Fee $40

📋 ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS

Police Clearance Required

Medical Exam Not required

Interview Required

Language B1 (Romanian Language Proficiency Certificate (B1 CEFR))

Language Exemptions Exempt: former Romanian citizens reacquiring, applicants 65+, minors on parent application, those born in Romania, those with 3+ years of Romanian-language education

Oath Required

🧬 ANCESTRY REQUIREMENTS

Generational Limit 3 generation(s)

Ancestor Citizenship Must have been citizen

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 FAMILY

Dependents Allowed

Spouse Not included

Max Child Age 18

🛂 PASSPORT & MOBILITY

Passport Rank #11 (Henley Index)

Visa-Free Access 178 countries

Passport Validity 10 years

EU Citizenship Yes

Schengen Access Yes

US E-2 Treaty Yes — eligible for US investor visa

📍 PHYSICAL PRESENCE

Must Visit Country Yes

📝 HOW TO APPLY

Method Both

Apply from Abroad Yes

Application Type Open

Official Website cetatenie.just.ro

Legal Basis Romanian Citizenship Law 21/1991 (as amended), Law 14/2025 (B1 language requirement)

📌 NOTES & CAVEATS

B1 language requirement added March 15, 2025 (Law 14/2025). Romania joined Schengen (air/sea borders March 2024, land borders January 2025). Very popular path: covers descendants from former Greater Romania territories (Bessarabia/Moldova, Northern Bukovina, Southern Dobruja, Transylvania, etc.). Oath ceremony is required and was traditionally held in Bucharest, but can now be done at consulates abroad. Reacquisition fee is EUR 200 (higher than confirmation fee of EUR 50).

🔗 ALSO IN ROMANIA

Digital Nomad Visa (digital nomad visa)

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