Business Visa Romania: Complete 2026 Guide for Investors

Want to open a company or invest in Romania? You’ll likely need a business visa Romania authorities issue to non-EU entrepreneurs. This guide breaks down the visa types, the documents you’ll need, the costs involved, and how the process actually works in 2026.

Who Needs a Business Visa for Romania?

Are you a citizen of a visa-exempt country, like Australia, the US, the UK, Canada, or the UAE? Then you can enter Romania visa-free for up to 90 days. You can even start exploring business opportunities during that window.

But short-term entry only takes you so far. If you plan to manage a company, hold shares, or run a business long-term, you’ll need a proper long-stay visa. Romania offers three main categories:

• Economic activities (D/AE) — for foreigners running a business regulated by special laws, often as a registered sole trader (PFA).
• Commercial activities (D/AC) — for shareholders, associates, or company directors who plan to invest in a Romanian company.
• Professional activities (D/AP) — for people practicing a liberal profession, such as law or medicine, under Romanian regulations.

Each category serves a different business structure. Your specific role and setup will determine which one fits.

What Are the Requirements?

Non-EU and non-EEA nationals must apply for the right Type D visa before they travel. You’ll submit your application through a Romanian embassy or consulate in your home country.

The D/AC route (commercial activities) is the most demanding path. You’ll need approval from Romania’s foreign investment authorities first. This confirms your business plan meets local investment or job-creation thresholds. Depending on your project, expect requirements ranging from a meaningful capital contribution to a company, up to €100,000–€150,000 and 10-15 new local jobs for a brand-new venture. Requirements shift based on your specific business plan, so get a tailored assessment before you commit.

The D/AE route works differently. Here, you’ll typically need to register as a self-employed professional (PFA) under Romanian law. A lawyer can often help you complete this registration remotely, before you even arrive.

Whichever route you choose, plan ahead. You should also bring your family, if you want. Foreign investors can include a spouse and minor children in their application.

What Documents Do You Need?

Requirements vary slightly by visa type, but most applications include:

• A technical opinion or endorsement confirming your business plan (required for D/AC applicants)
• A criminal record certificate, or an equivalent legal document
• Medical insurance valid for your entire visa period
• Proof of accommodation in Romania
• Proof of financial means to support your stay

Working with an immigration lawyer at this stage saves time. They’ll help you avoid the most common rejection reasons: incomplete business plans and missing endorsements.

How Much Does a Business Visa Cost?

Visa fees vary depending on your visa type and where you apply. Most long-stay business visas run between €80 and €120, though commercial-activity applications processed through Romania’s e-Visa Portal can run higher, up to around €230–€300 once you add related consular charges. Some nationalities benefit from reduced fees under bilateral agreements with the EU.

Pay your fee upfront, in euros or your local currency. Keep your receipt. You’ll need it for your application file.

Budget for more than just the visa fee. You should also factor in translation costs, notarizations, health insurance, and — for the D/AC route — the investment itself.

How Long Does the Process Take?

Expect the full process to take a few months, not weeks. Romania’s General Inspectorate for Immigration must review and approve your file before the National Visa Center issues your visa. This review usually takes up to 30 days, with a possible 15-day extension in complex cases.

Once approved, your long-stay visa lets you enter Romania for an initial 90 days. This is your starting point, not your final status.

Start early. Give yourself at least three months of lead time before your planned move, especially if you’re pursuing the investment route.

What Happens After You Arrive?

Don’t just settle in and forget the paperwork. Within your 90-day window, apply for a residence permit at the General Inspectorate for Immigration office in the county where you’ll live. Submit this application at least 30 days before your visa expires.

This step turns your temporary visa into a proper long-term status. It also opens the door to renewing your stay year after year.

Can You Extend Your Stay?

Yes, and most foreign investors do exactly that. For your first residence permit renewal under the commercial activities category, gather these documents:

• Completed application form
• Your passport (original plus copy)
• Your company’s trade registry certificate
• Your company’s Articles of Incorporation
• Proof of your company’s registered address
• Proof of sufficient monthly income — generally around €500 for shareholders in a private limited company, or €700 for shareholders in a public one
• Proof of adequate accommodation
• Proof of social security and health insurance payments
• Proof of paid renewal taxes

Submit your renewal at least 30 days before your current permit expires. Missing this window can put your legal status at risk.

Is There a Path to Long-Term Residency or Citizenship?

Yes. Keep renewing your business residence permit, and you build toward Romania’s long-term residency status after five years of continuous legal stay. From there, some investors also explore Romanian citizenship, either through naturalization or, for those with Romanian ancestry, through citizenship by descent.

Romania has also signaled plans for an investment-based “golden visa” program, offering a longer residence permit in exchange for a larger capital contribution, such as real estate or government bonds. If a hands-off, lower-involvement path interests you more than active business management, ask us whether this option has launched yet.

Can Your Family Join You?

Yes. Your spouse and minor children, including adopted children, can join you under the same business visa framework. In some cases, family members qualify for reduced or waived visa fees, including young children and certain nationalities with special agreements with Romania.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between D/AE, D/AC, and D/AP visas? D/AE suits self-employed professionals registering a sole proprietorship. D/AC suits shareholders and directors investing in a Romanian company. D/AP suits people practicing a regulated liberal profession, like law or medicine.

How much do I need to invest to get a business visa in Romania? It depends on your business plan. A capital contribution to an existing company may qualify for a lower threshold, while launching a brand-new venture can require €100,000–€150,000 plus new local jobs. Get your specific plan assessed before applying.

Do I need a business visa if I’m from Australia, the US, or the UK? Not for short trips. You can enter visa-free for up to 90 days. But if you plan to manage or invest in a business long-term, you’ll still need the appropriate long-stay visa.

How long does it take to get a Romanian business visa? Approval usually takes up to 30 days after the General Inspectorate for Immigration reviews your file, plus time to prepare your documents. Plan for a few months overall.

Can I bring my family on a business visa? Yes. Your spouse and minor children can apply alongside you.

Get Expert Guidance Before You Apply

Every business visa route comes with its own investment thresholds, paperwork, and timelines. A free eligibility check can confirm which visa category fits your plan, before you spend time or money on the wrong application.

Ready to explore your options? Check Your Eligibility today and get a response within 24 hours.