Ways to live in Romania
These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.
Programme details are shown in English.
Digital nomad visa Digital nomad visas →
Long-stay visa for digital nomads (D/AS)
For foreigners who work remotely via IT tools for an employer registered outside Romania or for their own company registered abroad. The visa lets you enter, then you switch to a temporary residence permit in Romania.
- What you need
- Remote-work income of at least 3 average Romanian gross salaries (about 27,600–28,500 lei, or €5,300–5,450, a month in 2026) for each of the last 6 months and for the whole stay. A contract with a foreign employer or proof you own a foreign company; no work for Romanian clients.
- Income
- from about $6,200 a month
- How long
- 90-day visa, then an extendable temporary residence permit
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- €300 visa fee; residence permit fees extra
- How to apply
- Online form at eviza.mae.ro, then in person at a Romanian embassy or consulate; extend in Romania at the immigration office at least 30 days before the visa expires
- Path to permanent residence
- Via a temporary residence permit.
Work permit Work permits →
Long-stay visa for employment (D/AM)
For people hired by a Romanian employer. The employer first gets a work permit from the General Inspectorate for Immigration; you then apply for the visa and, after arrival, a residence permit.
- What you need
- A work permit obtained by the employer, proof of means at the level of the national minimum gross salary, medical insurance and a clean criminal record.
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- €120 visa fee (may differ by consulate)
- Processing time
- Work permit: 30 days, can be extended by up to 15 days
- How to apply
- Employer applies to the Immigration Inspectorate; you apply for the visa at a Romanian consulate
- Family
- Family members can come with you
Student visa Student visas →
Long-stay visa for studies (D/SD)
For students accepted to a full-time programme at an accredited Romanian university.
- What you need
- Letter of acceptance from the Ministry of Education, proof that at least one year of tuition is paid, means of support at the level of the minimum wage for the stay, medical insurance with at least €30,000 cover and a criminal record certificate.
- How long
- Visa for 90 days; then a residence permit for studies in Romania
- Renewable
- Yes
- Cost
- €120 visa fee
- How to apply
- At a Romanian consulate
Investment and golden visa Investment and golden visas →
Long-stay visa for business activities (D/AC)
For shareholders or managers of a Romanian company who invest in it or create jobs.
- What you need
- Prior approval from the Romanian foreign investment agency, a business plan, money in a Romanian bank and an investment in the company or new local jobs. If the business plan from an earlier visa was not carried out, a new one is refused for two years.
- How to apply
- At a Romanian consulate, after approval from the investment agency
- Family
- Family members can come with you
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| Room in a shared flat | $200 |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat | $370 |
| Two-bedroom flat | $610 |
| Bills | $120 |
| Typical local salary | $1,230 |
Cities to consider
- BucharestBelle Époque and big boulevards
- Cluj-NapocaTransylvania's tech hub
- BrasovMedieval town under the Carpathians
- TimisoaraHabsburg squares in the west
Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.
What life is like
Programme details are shown in English.
Why people move
Bucharest has a big café and nightlife scene, while Cluj-Napoca and Brașov attract remote workers with their youthful energy and mountain access. Transylvania's castles, Saxon villages and hearty food give weekends real character.
Day to day
Trains are slow, so many drive or take buses and domestic flights. Private clinics are widely used alongside the public system. Cards and contactless payment are common in cities. Internet is famously fast; English is widely spoken by younger people.
Trade-offs
Roads are congested and driving can be aggressive. Bureaucracy relies heavily on paper and in-person visits, and Bucharest summers get very hot.
Before you move: visa-free entry
Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:
United States90 days
United Kingdom90 days
Australia90 days
Canada90 days
New Zealand90 days
SwitzerlandVisa-free
NorwayVisa-free
Singapore90 days
Japan90 days
South Korea90 days
Israel90 days
United Arab Emirates90 days
Hong Kong90 days
South AfricaVisa
Mexico90 days
Brazil90 days
Questions
Does Romania have a digital nomad visa?
Yes. Romania offers: Long-stay visa for digital nomads (D/AS).
How can I move to Romania?
The routes we have checked are: Digital nomad visa, Work permit, Student visa, Investment and golden visa.
When was this information checked?
The residence routes for Romania were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
Sources and last check
Residence routes for Romania were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
- MAE e-Viza: types of visas (D/AS digital nomads)
- MAE e-Viza: visa fees
- General Inspectorate for Immigration
- https://igi.mai.gov.ro/en/
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.