Essentials & SettlementFirst-Days Arrival Checklist

First-Days Arrival Checklist in Romania

Essential steps for your first 72 hours, 7 days, and beyond in Romania, covering immediate practicalities and legal deadlines.

Quick Overview: Start by securing connectivity and local currency. Finalize your long-term housing contract to enable registration. You must submit your residence application at least 30 days before the expiry of your current legal right of stay (if required by your visa).

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1. International Students (Type D/SD Visa)2. Foreign Workers (Type D/AM Visa)3. Family Reunification (Non-EU Sponsor)4. Family of Romanian Citizens 5. Company Owners / Investors 6. EU/EEA & Swiss Citizens 7. Short-Stay Visitors (Type C Visa / Visa-Exempt)8. Existing Residence Document Holder 9. Arrival without Finalized Accommodation

1. International Students (Type D/SD Visa)

Who this applies to

•University students
•Language preparatory year students

Exceptions & Limitations

⚠️Scholarship students may be exempt from consular fees.

Required Documents

✓
Passport with valid Type D/SD visa
✓
University Acceptance Letter
✓
Housing contract (registered at ANAF or notarized)
✓
Medical certificate from a clinic

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Upon Arrival: Connectivity

Purchase a local SIM card.

Step 2: First 7 Days: University & Housing

Formalize enrollment at your university and ensure the landlord registers your housing contract with ANAF.

Step 3: Practical: Bank Account

Open a local bank account to handle tuition and living expenses.

Step 4: Legal Deadline: IGI Residence Application

Submit the residence application via the IGI portal at least 30 days before the expiry of your current legal right of stay.

Applicable Fees

Amount	Notes
265 RON	Residence permit issuance fee
120 EUR	Consular tax equivalent

Process Timelines

Duration	Notes
30-45 Days (variable)	Estimated IGI processing time after document submission.

Responsible Authority: IGI & Ministry of Education

2. Foreign Workers (Type D/AM Visa)

Who this applies to

•Employees with an Aviz de Muncă
•Highly skilled workers

Exceptions & Limitations

⚠️EU Blue Card applicants may have different processing times.

Required Documents

✓
Passport with valid Type D/AM visa
✓
Work Permit (Aviz de Muncă)
✓
Employment Contract registered in REVISAL
✓
Housing contract registered at ANAF

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Upon Arrival: Contract Signing

Report to your employer to sign the individual employment contract (CIM).

Step 2: First 7 Days: Medical Check & Housing

Complete the occupational health exam (Medicina Muncii) arranged by your employer. Ensure housing ANAF registration.

Step 3: Practical: Salary Account

Open a bank account to receive your salary.

Step 4: Legal Deadline: IGI Residence Application

Submit the residence application via the IGI portal at least 30 days before the expiry of your visa.

Applicable Fees

Amount	Notes
265 RON	Residence permit issuance fee
120 EUR	Consular tax equivalent

Process Timelines

Duration	Notes
30 Days (variable)	Estimated IGI processing time after interview.

Responsible Authority: IGI & ITM

3. Family Reunification (Non-EU Sponsor)

Who this applies to

•Spouses of non-EU residents
•Dependent children of non-EU residents

Required Documents

✓
Passport with valid Type D/VF visa
✓
Sponsor's Residence Permit
✓
Marriage or Birth Certificate (Apostilled/Translated)
✓
Proof of housing and sufficient funds

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Practical: Settling In

Obtain a local SIM card and add the family member to household utility bills if required for proof of housing.

Step 2: Health Insurance (Co-asigurat)

Apply for co-insured status at CNAS for public health coverage.

Step 3: Legal Deadline: IGI Residence Application

Submit the application for a family reunification residence permit via the IGI portal at least 30 days before the visa expires.

Applicable Fees

Amount	Notes
265 RON	Residence permit issuance fee
120 EUR	Consular tax equivalent

Process Timelines

Duration	Notes
30-60 Days (variable)	Estimated IGI processing time.

Responsible Authority: IGI

4. Family of Romanian Citizens

Who this applies to

•Spouses of Romanian citizens
•Dependent children of Romanian citizens

Exceptions & Limitations

⚠️Family members joining a Romanian citizen are exempt from the consular tax.

Required Documents

✓
Passport (Visa if required by nationality)
✓
Romanian ID of the sponsor
✓
Romanian Marriage/Birth Certificate

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Legal Deadline: IGI Residence Application

Submit the application for residence permit via the IGI portal at least 30 days before the expiry of your current legal right of stay.

Applicable Fees

Amount	Notes
265 RON	Residence permit issuance fee

Process Timelines

Duration	Notes
30-90 Days (variable)	Estimated IGI processing time.

Responsible Authority: IGI

5. Company Owners / Investors

Who this applies to

•Administrators or shareholders of a Romanian SRL

Required Documents

✓
Passport with Type D visa (if applicable)
✓
ONRC Company Registration Documents
✓
FDI Approval (if required)

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Practical: Corporate Bank Account

Finalize corporate banking arrangements for share capital and operations.

Step 2: Legal Deadline: IGI Residence Application

Submit the application for residence via the IGI portal at least 30 days before your visa expires.

Applicable Fees

Amount	Notes
265 RON	Residence permit issuance fee
120 EUR	Consular tax equivalent

Process Timelines

Duration	Notes
30-45 Days (variable)	Estimated IGI processing time.

Responsible Authority: IGI & Ministry of Economy

6. EU/EEA & Swiss Citizens

Who this applies to

•Citizens of EU, EEA, or Switzerland

Exceptions & Limitations

⚠️EU citizens do not receive a classic "Permis de Ședere", they receive a "Certificat de Înregistrare".

Required Documents

✓
Valid National ID or Passport
✓
Proof of employment, study, or sufficient funds
✓
Proof of housing

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Practical: Basic Setup

Purchase a local SIM card if needed. Use your home EU bank accounts freely.

Step 2: Legal Deadline: IGI Registration (CNP)

If intending to stay longer than 3 months, apply for a Registration Certificate (Certificat de Înregistrare) before the 90-day mark.

Process Timelines

Duration	Notes
Same day	The Registration Certificate is usually issued on the same day the complete file is submitted.

Responsible Authority: IGI

7. Short-Stay Visitors (Type C Visa / Visa-Exempt)

Who this applies to

•Tourists
•Business visitors
•Short-term family visits (under 90 days)

Exceptions & Limitations

⚠️You cannot apply for a residence permit while on a Type C short-stay visa.

Required Documents

✓
Valid Passport and Visa (if applicable)
✓
Travel Medical Insurance

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Practical: Connectivity

Obtain a prepaid SIM card (does not require a residence permit).

Step 2: Legal: Accommodation Registration

Any foreigner entering Romania who does not stay in a hotel or licensed tourism accommodation must declare their stay to the local police within 3 days. Hotels register tourists automatically.

Responsible Authority: Border Police & MAE

8. Existing Residence Document Holder

Who this applies to

•Individuals returning to Romania with a valid permit

Required Documents

✓
Valid Passport
✓
Valid Residence Permit

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Practical: Verify Expiry

Check the physical expiry date printed on your residence permit immediately upon arrival.

Step 2: Legal: Renewal Deadline

Renewal applications must be submitted at least 30 days before the expiry date of your current residence permit.

Responsible Authority: IGI

9. Arrival without Finalized Accommodation

Who this applies to

•New arrivals staying in hotels or temporary Airbnbs

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Practical: Search for Housing

Use platforms like Imobiliare.ro or Storia to find long-term housing. Do not sign a lease without viewing the property.

Step 2: Dependency: Bank Account

Be aware that most banks require a finalized registered rental contract to open a resident account.

Responsible Authority: None

⚠️Important Warnings

•Do not wait until the last week of your visa to apply for a residence permit. IGI appointments must be booked in advance, and late applications may incur fines or deportation.
•Health insurance coverage rules for dependents and students are complex and strictly enforced. Confirm your status with CNAS directly.

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First-Days Arrival Checklist in Romania

Table of Contents

1. International Students (Type D/SD Visa)

Who this applies to

Exceptions & Limitations

Required Documents

Step-by-Step Process

Applicable Fees

Process Timelines

2. Foreign Workers (Type D/AM Visa)

Who this applies to

Exceptions & Limitations

Required Documents

Step-by-Step Process

Applicable Fees

Process Timelines

3. Family Reunification (Non-EU Sponsor)

Who this applies to

Required Documents

Step-by-Step Process

Applicable Fees

Process Timelines

4. Family of Romanian Citizens

Who this applies to

Exceptions & Limitations

Required Documents

Step-by-Step Process

Applicable Fees

Process Timelines

5. Company Owners / Investors

Who this applies to

Required Documents

Step-by-Step Process

Applicable Fees

Process Timelines

6. EU/EEA & Swiss Citizens

Who this applies to

Exceptions & Limitations

Required Documents

Step-by-Step Process

Process Timelines

7. Short-Stay Visitors (Type C Visa / Visa-Exempt)

Who this applies to

Exceptions & Limitations

Required Documents

Step-by-Step Process

8. Existing Residence Document Holder

Who this applies to

Required Documents

Step-by-Step Process

9. Arrival without Finalized Accommodation

Who this applies to

Step-by-Step Process

⚠️Important Warnings

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