Path to citizenship
- Apply180-730 days
- Citizenshipgranted
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 and costs
- Application fee
- $54
- Passport fee
- $40
Eligibility and 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 and 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 and 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).