Skip to content

More pages
Country landscape
Photo by Winston Tjia on Unsplash

The Romania Digital Nomad Visa

A 2026 deep dive into the Romania Digital Nomad Visa. Income, tax, application path, and how it stacks up against the other 11 European DNVs.

Min monthly income
€5,800
Tax rate
10%
Processing
2–6 wks
Max stay
24 months
Compare all 12 DNVs

Romania's Digital Nomad Visa, formalised in 2022 under Government Ordinance 25/2014 amendments, opens up Romania to remote workers earning at least three times the country's gross average salary — currently around €3,950 per month. Romania joined Schengen for air and sea travel in 2024 and is set for full land-border accession soon, making it an increasingly viable nomad base.

The visa is issued for up to one year by Romanian consulates abroad and is renewable for one further year. Romania's 10% flat income-tax rate (and IT-sector exemption for qualifying employees) keeps the effective tax cost low compared to other Schengen options.

Romania for nomads, by the numbers

How this country scores for remote work and daily life, averaged across the cities we track.

7.0/ 10
Affordability
8.3
Internet
10.0
Safety
7.2
Climate
7.6
Air quality
2.5
English
7.8
Healthcare
5.5

Averaged across 1 city. Scored out of 10 from public 2026 data: cost of living (Numbeo), internet speed (Ookla), safety, air quality, English proficiency (EF EPI) and healthcare.

Romania cities, scored for nomads

Internet, safety and cost of living for each Romanian city we track. Tap through for the full local guide.

How Romania taxes Digital Nomad Visa holders

The single most important factor after income thresholds. Here is what changes for you specifically as a DNV resident.

this country's special regime

10%

flat rate

IT-sector exemption

A targeted tax regime layered on top of the this country Digital Nomad Visa. Eligibility, scope, and duration matter more than the headline number, so check the details below.

  • Who qualifies

    Employees and freelancers

  • Foreign income

    Conditional — treaty + 183-day rules apply

Compare all 12 European DNV tax regimes

What you need for the Romania DNV

Everything to assemble before you apply

  • Prove your income

    Show €5.800+/month from remote work via payslips, contracts, or bank statements. Bringing a partner adds €1.200/month.

    Documents guide
  • Official site

    Apply via official portal

    Romania government application — €120 fee, consulate process.

    Open official site
  • Recommended

    Health insurance

    DNV requires €30.000+ comprehensive coverage. SafetyWing fits 2026 European DNV requirements.

    4.4
    See plans

  • Apostille your docs

    Birth certificates, criminal records, and marriage certificates typically need Hague apostille or consular legalisation before submission.

    Document checklist

Some links are affiliate — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you

How to apply: the Romania DNV

Plan four to six weeks of document prep on top of the official processing window.

  1. 1

    Confirm you qualify

    Check you have remote-work income of €5.800+/month from outside Romania, a passport valid 6+ months past your stay, and a clean criminal record.

  2. 2

    Apostille your documents

    Get Hague apostille on your birth certificate, criminal record (FBI/police check), and marriage certificate if applicable. Allow two to four weeks per document.

  3. 3

    Buy compliant insurance

    Private health insurance covering €30.000+ for the full visa duration, valid in Romania, with no co-pay clauses on essential care.

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit via the consulate process — pay the €120 fee. Bring originals and apostilled copies; consulate appointments fill fast.

  5. 5

    Wait for approval

    Processing typically takes 2–6 weeks. Track via the official portal — any missing documents reset the clock.

  6. 6

    Register on arrival

    Within 30 days of arrival in Romania, complete the local residence registration (TIE / NIE / residence permit, varies by country). This unlocks your tax ID and bank access.

Two sides of the Romania DNV

An honest look at what works for nomads on this visa, and where the friction is.

  • 10% flat personal income tax (one of the EU's lowest, alongside Bulgaria's 10%)
  • Law 69/2023 exemption from Romanian income tax and social contributions on foreign-source income for stays under 183 days
  • Romania achieved full Schengen accession on 1 January 2025 (air, sea, and land borders)
  • Lowest cost of living among 2026 Schengen-member DNVs
  • Renewal income threshold drops to 1× average gross salary (vs 3× at initial application)
  • Strong English fluency in Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca tech ecosystems
  • Romania permits dual citizenship
  • Romanian is a Romance language, accessible for speakers of Spanish, Italian, French, or Portuguese

How the Romania DNV interacts with EU rules

DNV × Schengen 90/180

Why DNV days do not count against your visitor allowance, and the edge cases that trip people up

DNV × ETIAS

Once your residence card is issued, ETIAS does not apply. Application-gap and dependent rules explained

DNV × EES biometrics

EES went live 10 April 2026. As a residence-permit holder you stay out of scope at the border

SafetyWing · Nomad Insurance

Insurance for the Romania DNV

Meets the €30000+ DNV requirement. Cancel anytime, renews monthly, works in 175+ countries.

$177.50 / month for ages 18-39, in USD

Full health + travel cover, renewable forever

  • Exceeds the €30,000 Schengen medical minimum
  • Includes medical evacuation + repatriation
  • Cancel anytime — pay per 4 weeks or month
See pricing for your situation Why we recommend SafetyWing
4.4/5 on Trustpilot

SafetyWing Ambassador link — we may earn a commission when you sign up, at no extra cost to you. Prices shown for ages 18-39 in USD; rates rise with age.

Other European DNVs

How Romania compares — browse other 2026 nomad visas

Romania DNV: frequently asked questions

What is the Romania digital nomad visa?
It's a residence permit for remote workers, freelancers, and online professionals earning income from outside Romania. Initial validity is 12 months, renewable up to 24 months total.
What income do I need for the Romania DNV?
The minimum is €5.800/month from remote work. A partner adds €1.200/month; each additional dependent adds €600/month.
How long does the Romania DNV take to process?
Processing typically takes 2–6 weeks from submission. Plan another 4-6 weeks for apostille work and consulate appointments.
Does the Romania DNV lead to citizenship?
After 8 years of legal residence you typically become eligible to apply for citizenship. Check whether Romania requires renunciation of your prior citizenship — rules vary.
Which nationalities can apply?
The DNV is open to non-EU/EEA nationals with sufficient remote-work income from outside Romania. Your home-country tax treaty with Romania affects the practical economics more than visa eligibility itself.
Does the Romania DNV count toward Schengen 90/180?
No — time spent in Romania as a DNV resident does not count toward the Schengen 90-day tourist limit. You can still travel through other Schengen countries within the standard 90-in-180 rule for short visits.

Plan your day-to-day life in Romania

The DNV gets you the right to stay. The destination guide is what shapes how you actually live there: the attractions, the climate, the rhythm of the year, the neighbourhoods you would want to base from.

Explore Romania

Change language