Immigration & ResidenceLong-Term Residence

Long-term Residence

Source: General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) — Last reviewed: August 2026

Long-term residence (Drept de Ședere pe Termen Lung) in Romania is a milestone in the immigration journey of non-EU citizens, offering stability and rights almost equal to those of local citizens (except voting rights). This status is granted by IGI after proving continuous and legal physical presence in Romanian territory for a specified period (typically 5 years) and meeting requirements such as sufficient income, appropriate housing, and familiarity with the Romanian language. Holders of this status can participate in the labor market without needing a separate work permit and enjoy a much smoother path toward acquiring citizenship.

1What is Long-term Residence

5-year residence card with unlimited renewals
Free access to the labor market without work permits

2Eligibility Requirements

At least 5 years of continuous legal residence
Absence under 6 consecutive months or 10 months total

3Docs & Language

Proof of financial means & health insurance
Basic Romanian language exam at IGI

Note: the exact fee for long-term residence issuance can vary by category and is periodically updated; confirm the precise figure for your case with your local IGI office, or see the general IGI fee guide for the standard fee range.

🔍What Gets Commonly Misunderstood About the Language Test & the 5-Year Count

Contrary to common belief, the "Romanian language test" for long-term residence is not a separate, formally certified exam with a defined level (like CEFR A1 or A2). The law's actual wording only requires "at least a satisfactory level" of Romanian, and per official IGI guidance this is typically assessed informally by the IGI officer during the same document-submission appointment — not a standardized written test. That means the officer retains some discretion in judging what counts as "satisfactory," so it is worth practicing basic conversation and reading official Romanian documents before your appointment.

Another common misconception: Romania joining the Schengen Area (air/sea borders since March 2024, land borders since January 2025) did not change any rules or mobility rights tied to long-term residence status. The limited EU mobility right for holders of EU long-term resident status (under Directive 2003/109/EC) has existed since Romania joined the EU in 2007 — entirely separate from Schengen. Schengen membership only removed physical border checks between countries; it did not amend the long-term residence legal framework.

The common 5-year calculation trap:Per official IGI guidance, time spent on a short-stay visa, diplomatic/service visa, or seasonal-worker/au-pair status does not count toward the 5 years at all. More importantly for students: time held on a student residence permit counts at only 50% of its actual duration — so 4 years of study only counts as 2 years toward this total. The absence rule also has two simultaneous conditions: no single absence over 6 consecutive months, AND total absences must stay under 10 months across the full 5 years — both must hold at once, not either/or (these two thresholds are exactly the EU-wide minimum standard set by Directive 2003/109/EC, Article 4(3), not a Romania-specific rule). A lesser-known exception: absences due to work in international transport are excluded from this count if properly documented.

Sources: official IGI notice on long-term residence (igi.mai.gov.ro), consolidated OUG 194/2002 text (as of March 6, 2024), Ziua Constanța, Fragomen, and the Council of the EU (Schengen accession announcement, December 2024). Nationality-specific approval/rejection statistics for long-term residence (including Iranian applicants) were not found in official sources — IGI's 2025 annual analysis lists Nepal, Turkey, and Sri Lanka as the top overall resident nationalities.

⚖️If IGI Unjustifiably Delays Your File

Under Law 554/2004, if IGI is unjustifiably silent or delayed beyond its legal deadline, you may sue this delay in the administrative court within 6 months, with the help of an administrative-law attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is long-term residence the same as Romanian citizenship?

No. Long-term residence is a residency status (not citizenship) that grants broad rights but not voting rights or a Romanian passport; citizenship requires a separate application path.

Does every type of temporary residence permit count toward this?

No. Short-stay, diplomatic/service visas, and seasonal-worker/au-pair status do not count at all, and time on a student residence permit only counts at 50% of its actual duration; IGI must review your specific case based on your permit type.

Do I need to pass a formal A1 or A2 language exam for this?

No. The law only requires a "satisfactory level" of Romanian, typically assessed informally by the IGI officer during the document-submission appointment itself, not a separate written exam with a defined CEFR level.