Why Americans Are Moving to Romania: Real Stories From Expats
More North Americans are moving to Romania every year. Some rediscover a Romanian grandparent’s citizenship. Others open a business and apply for residency. Many do both at once.
We collected honest stories from Americans and Canadians who made the move. Here’s what they had to say about the process, the cost of living, and building a new life — and business — in Romania.
1. Rediscovering Citizenship Through a Grandparent
“I moved to Bucharest in 2022 after recovering my Romanian citizenship through my grandfather. I worked in corporate America and paid a fortune for health insurance while worrying about layoffs. Here, a private health plan costs less than dinner out in New York.”
— 34, Female, Bucharest
Many Americans qualify for Romanian citizenship by descent without knowing it. A single Romanian-born ancestor can open the door to an EU passport for the applicant and their children.
2. Trading a Toronto Salary for a Better Quality of Life
“I came from Toronto three years ago through ancestry-based citizenship. What surprised me most was how safe I feel walking at night — something I hadn’t felt at home in years. Rent for a two-bedroom apartment downtown is a quarter of what I paid in Canada.”
— 41, Male, Cluj-Napoca
Lower living costs are a major reason people keep moving to Romania. Housing, food, and healthcare all cost a fraction of North American prices, while cities like Cluj-Napoca offer a growing tech and startup scene.
3. Opening a Business and Applying for Residency
“I didn’t come for citizenship — I came to start a company. I set up a small consulting firm through company incorporation in Romania and used it to qualify for business residency. The paperwork took a few weeks, and now I split my time between the US and my Bucharest office. My accountant handles more than I expected, and the flat tax rate for micro-companies is a huge advantage.”
— 47, Male, Bucharest
Business residency is one of the fastest legal paths to living in Romania for people without Romanian ancestry. Founders who complete company incorporation can apply for a residence permit tied to their business activity, then renew it as the company grows.
4. From Corporate Burnout to a Slower Pace
“I gave up a big salary in California for a more human pace of life. People here still eat meals together without checking their phones. It took me a year to unlearn the habit of working sixty-hour weeks.”
— 38, Female, Sibiu
5. A Curiosity That Became a New Life
“My grandmother emigrated from Romanian Moldova in the 1923s. When I found out I could get citizenship through her, I did the paperwork mostly out of curiosity. I didn’t expect to stay. Three years later, I’m still here. I have an EU passport, I can work anywhere in Europe, and my kids are growing up bilingual.”
— 46, Male, Timișoara
6. Building a Company From Scratch
“I’d never run a business before moving. Once I understood the incorporation process, I registered a small e-commerce company and used it to secure long-term residency. Compared to setting up an LLC and dealing with US compliance costs, running a company here felt refreshingly simple.”
— 39, Female, Cluj-Napoca
Company incorporation in Romania is often the easiest route for entrepreneurs and remote business owners. It combines a low corporate tax rate with a straightforward path to residency — no ancestry required.
7. A Safety Net Worth the Paperwork
“The bureaucracy felt impossible at first — archive documents, translations, apostilles. But once you have citizenship, everything becomes simple: healthcare, education for the kids, freedom of movement across the EU. It was worth every trip to the notary.”
— 44, Female, Amsterdam (Romanian citizenship, splits time with the Netherlands)
8. A Plan B That Became a Full-Time Life
“I didn’t move here permanently at first — I just wanted options. Between citizenship by descent and setting up a small consulting company, I now split my year between the US and Romania. It’s reassuring to know I have a place to live, work, and get medical care without visas or deadlines.”
— 55, Male, Dual US-Romania citizen
Which Path Fits You: Citizenship or Business Residency?
Most people moving to Romania choose one of two paths:
- Citizenship by descent — for those with a Romanian-born parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent. This grants full EU citizenship, including the right to live and work anywhere in the EU.
- Business residency through company incorporation — for entrepreneurs and remote workers without Romanian ancestry. Setting up a Romanian company can qualify the founder for a renewable residence permit.
Both paths lead to the same result: a legal, long-term life in Romania and access to the EU.
Ready to Explore Your Options?
If you’re considering moving to Romania, the first step is finding out which path applies to you. Check your eligibility for citizenship by descent, or learn more about business residency and company incorporation for entrepreneurs relocating to Romania.