Romania Visas, Taxes and Money for Digital Nomads

• Who: non-EU citizens who work remotely, using information and communication technology, either as an employee of a company registered outside Romania or as the owner of a company registered outside Romania for at least three years.
• Income: at least three times the Romanian average gross monthly salary for each of the last six months before you apply, and for the whole stay. Based on the 2026 figure of RON 9,192, that is about RON 27,600 a month (roughly €5,400, $6,300).
• Documents: passport, employment contract or proof that you own and run the foreign company, a letter from the company with its details and your role, a letter of intent explaining your stay, proof that you or your company are up to date with tax at home, bank statements, health insurance of at least €30,000 valid in Romania, proof of accommodation, a travel booking, and a criminal record certificate. Foreign documents need an authorised Romanian translation, and official ones an apostille.
• Fee: a consular fee for the long-stay visa, plus residence permit fees later. Check current amounts with the consulate and IGI.
• Length: the long-stay (D) visa lets you enter and stay up to 90 days. Before it expires, you apply to the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) for a residence permit marked “nomad digital”.
• Renewals: the first extension of the right of stay is for six months. Later extensions can be granted if you still meet the income condition and show an income certificate from the Romanian tax authority.
• Family: the nomad rules don’t include a dedicated route for spouses or children. Ask the consulate how family members can join before you plan around it.

How to apply:

• Start online on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs e-Visa portal, choosing the long-stay visa for digital nomads.
• Submit your documents in person at the Romanian embassy or consulate you choose in the portal, usually in your country of residence.
• After arrival, register your address and apply to an IGI office for the residence permit before the visa expires.

Romania became a full member of the Schengen Area on 1 January 2025. Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and many other countries can stay 90 days in any 180 across all Schengen countries, so time spent in Romania counts towards the same allowance as Greece, Hungary or Croatia. You can’t work for Romanian clients or employers on a visa-free stay.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) has recorded non-EU travellers’ fingerprints, photos and entry and exit dates at Schengen borders since April 2026, replacing passport stamps, so the 90-day count is tracked automatically. ETIAS, a paid online travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, has no announced start date yet; the EU says it will give several months’ notice.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens need no visa and can live and work in Romania freely. If you stay more than three months, register with IGI for a registration certificate.

Overstaying your Schengen allowance or permit brings fines and can lead to an entry ban covering the whole Schengen Area, recorded in EES. If you need longer, apply for the nomad visa from home well before your 90 days run out.

Romania has a flat 10% personal income tax, one of the lowest in the EU. You become tax resident if you are in Romania for more than 183 days in any 12-month period, or if your centre of vital interests is there. Residents are taxed on worldwide income; non-residents only on Romanian income.

• Nomad visa holders: since 2023, digital nomads who spend no more than 183 days in Romania in any 12 consecutive months are exempt from income tax and from pension (CAS) and health (CASS) contributions on the salary they earn remotely from abroad. Stay longer and the normal rules apply.
• Employees pay 25% pension (CAS) and 10% health (CASS) contributions on top of the 10% income tax.
• Freelancers and company owners: self-employed people pay 10% income tax plus capped CAS and CASS. Romanian micro-companies pay a low turnover tax, but dividend tax rose to 16% in 2026 (from 10% in 2025).
• VAT went up from 19% to 21% in August 2025, with a reduced rate of 11%.

This is a general guide, not tax advice. If you stay long term or set up a business, talk to a Romanian accountant. See our digital nomad taxes guide for the wider picture.

Romania uses the Romanian leu (RON), plural lei, at about 5 lei to the euro. It is in the EU but hasn’t adopted the euro, and there is no target date. Rents, cars and some services are often quoted in euros but paid in lei at the day’s rate.

Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere in the cities, including on public transport in Bucharest and Cluj, and many people never use cash. ATMs from big banks are widespread; decline the ATM’s currency conversion, and avoid standalone cash machines and exchange booths with poor rates.

Opening a local account at banks such as Banca Transilvania, BCR or ING is much easier once you have a residence permit and a Romanian tax number. Many nomads simply use Wise or Revolut, which are widely used in Romania.