Romania offers a broad Citizenship by Descent program, extending to great-grandchildren, allowing individuals to reclaim nationality lost due to historical events. This pathway grants full EU citizenship without a residency requirement.
Citizenship Pathways
Citizenship by Descent (Article 10, Law no. 21/1991)
Cost: ~$500 in fees
Timeline: 1.0 years
Presence Required: None required
Romania offers a remarkably broad citizenship by descent program, allowing individuals up to the great-grandchild level to reclaim nationality, even if their ancestors lost it involuntarily due to historical border changes or political upheaval. This pathway requires no residency in Romania and grants full EU citizenship.
Step-by-Step Process
Citizenship by Descent (Article 10, Law no. 21/1991)
: Gather all required historical and personal documents, ensuring they are apostilled/legalized and translated.
— 3-6 months — $200 - $1000 (translation/legalization)
: Submit the complete application package to the National Authority for Citizenship (ANC) or a Romanian consulate.
— 1-2 months — $100 - $200 (application fees)
: Attend an interview (if required) and await the ANC's decision.
— 6-12 months — Varies (travel if needed)
: If approved, take the oath of allegiance to Romania.
— 1-2 months — $50 - $100 (oath ceremony fees)
: Apply for a Romanian birth certificate, then a Romanian passport and ID card.
— 1-3 months — $50 - $100 (document fees)
Pros & Cons
Advantages
Full EU citizenship via descent
No residency required for descent
Broad eligibility (up to great-grandchild)
Relatively low cost for descent
Access to EU single market and free movement
Challenges
Bureaucracy can be slow and complex
Language barrier for non-Romanian speakers
Historical document retrieval can be challenging
Potential for delays in processing applications
Requirements
Birth Certificate — Applicant's original, apostilled/legalized, translated into Romanian.
Proof of Ancestor's Romanian Origin — Documents like old passports, census records, etc.
Criminal Record Certificate — From country of origin and residence, apostilled/legalized, translated.
Passport/ID Copy — Certified copy of current passport or national ID.
Tax System
System: worldwide
New residents are generally taxed on their worldwide income. Romania has a flat tax rate of 10% for personal income, which is relatively low compared to other EU countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to speak Romanian for Citizenship by Descent?
No, language proficiency is not required for citizenship by descent under Article 10.
Can I apply from outside Romania?
Yes, applications can be submitted at Romanian embassies or consulates abroad.