Citizenship · Romania
Cost of Romanian Citizenship in 2026: Complete Breakdown of Expenses
Updated: June 2026·8 min read·Expert reviewed
Terms and costs verified: June 2026
Romanian citizenship by descent is one of the most cost-effective paths to an EU passport. The state fee is only €70; however, the actual cost of obtaining citizenship is considerably higher: translations, apostilles, archive certificates, and in most cases, services of a Romanian lawyer are required. We break down all expenses —to the last euro.
Who is eligible: territorial principle until 1940
The right to Romanian citizenship by descent belongs to descendants of persons who before 1940 resided in territories that were part of the Romanian Kingdom: Bessarabia (territory of present-day Moldova and part of Ukraine), Bukovina (Chernivtsi region of Ukraine), Transylvania (was part of Romania since 1918), Dobruja, and several other regions.
This is not an ethnic principle—it is not necessary to be Romanian by origin. The key is to documentary prove that an ancestor (parent, grandfather, or grandmother) was a Romanian citizen or lived in these territories before their annexation. Children and grandchildren of such persons have the right to restore citizenship.
The program has operated since 1991, when Romania adopted a law on citizenship restoration for persons deprived of it after World War II. Since then, several hundred thousand citizens of Moldova, Ukraine, and Russia have obtained citizenship.
State Fees: Official Expenses
The official part of the cost is minimal:
- ANR fee (National Citizenship Agency) - €70 for consideration of one person's application. If you are processing the entire family, each person pays €70 separately.
- Romanian Passport - after obtaining citizenship. Standard (manufacturing time several weeks) - €120–150. Expedited passport - up to €300.
- Identity Card (buletin) - upon registration in Romania. Approximately €7–10.
Total official fees: approximately €200–220 per person. This is the only amount prescribed by law. Everything else is a market service.
Documents and Apostilles: Detailed Estimate
Preparation of the document package is the main expense item for self-service processing:
| Document | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille on Birth Certificate (Russia) | €15–30 | Russian Ministry of Justice or notary |
| Apostille on Marriage Certificate | €15–30 | If applicable |
| Apostilles on Romanian ancestor's documents | €15–30 × quantity | Per each document separately |
| Notarized translation into Romanian | €40–80 per document | Only from a certified translator |
| Archive certificates in Romania | €100–400 | Search for ancestor documents in ANR archives, local archives |
| Archive search in Russia/Ukraine | €150–500 | If document restoration is required |
| Notarial certification of copies in Romania | €5–15 per copy | Some documents require a notary in Romania itself |
Standard case with one generation (parent resided in Bessarabia) and preserved documents: €400–700 for apostilles and translations only. If archive search is required - €800–1 200.
Cost of legal support
Most applicants engage a Romanian attorney or specialized migration company. There are several reasons: the procedure is conducted exclusively in Romanian, documents must be formatted strictly according to ANR requirements, and any error sets the case back months. Additionally, an attorney can represent the client's interests at ANR without their personal presence - which is highly valuable when appointments are booked several months in advance.
Support options on the market:
- Consultation and document review: €300–600. Attorney assesses the package, points out errors, recommends what to collect. You proceed independently from there.
- Preparation of document package (without representation): €800–1 500. Attorney drafts the application, assists with translations and apostilles.
- Full turnkey support: €3 000–5 500. Attorney collects everything, submits to ANR, conducts correspondence, notifies of case status, organizes the oath.
- Expedited support with time guarantee: €5 000–8 000. Some companies promise expedited review through administrative channels. Check reputation carefully.
When choosing a lawyer, verify: registration with the Romanian Bar Association (Barou din România), genuine client reviews, clear contract specifying cost and included services.
Trip to Romania: mandatory visit for oath ceremony
One trip to Romania is mandatory - to take the oath of loyalty to the Romanian state. This is the final stage: citizenship is not granted without personal presence at the oath ceremony.
The oath takes place at the Romanian Ministry of Justice in Bucharest (or at local courts under decentralized procedure). The date is scheduled after ANR approval of the application.
Practical trip expenses:
- Moscow–Bucharest flight (round trip): €200–500 depending on season and flight
- Hotel in Bucharest for 2–4 nights: €50–150/night depending on level
- Transfer, meals: €100–200
- Total trip: €350–900
Many combine the oath ceremony with a tourist trip through Romania - Bucharest, Brașov, Transylvania. A beautiful country for this.
Hidden expenses: often forgotten
When planning your budget, account for expenses rarely mentioned in promotional materials:
- Notary in Russia for certifying part of documents before apostille: €50–150
- International money transfer for paying services in Romania: commissions 1–3%, or €20–100 for amounts of €3 000–5 000
- Health insurance for the trip to Romania: €30–80
- Expedited apostilles if acceleration of processing is required: 2–5 times more expensive than standard
- Additional trips if initial submission revealed missing documents and a second archive visit is needed: €350–900 again
Comparison with other EU citizenship programs
| Country | Basis | Cost with lawyer | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romania | Roots (Bessarabia/Bukovina) | €3 500–7 500 | 12–24 months |
| Bulgaria | Roots (2026 reform, Ministry of Justice direct) | €2 000–8 000 | 9–12 months |
| Portugal | Roots (Sephardim) | €3 000–6 000 | 12–18 months |
| Hungary | Roots (Guest Investor program) | €250k+ investment | 2–3 years |
| Greece | Naturalization | €0 (no fee, but 7 years) | 7+ years |
Romania remains one of the best price-to-result ratios among all available EU citizenship programs. For Moldova citizens, it is even simpler - proximity to territory, shared language, archives more accessible.
What a Romanian passport gives: investment value
A Romanian passport is a full EU passport. Its practical value:
- Right to live and work in 27 EU countries without visas, permits, and additional conditions
- Visa-free entry to 170+ countriesincluding the USA (visa-free since 2024 after Schengen accession), United Kingdom, Japan, Australia
- Schengen zone - Romania joined Schengen in 2024
- European healthcare - EHIC insurance, access to healthcare by European standards
- Opening accounts and companies in the EU - without restrictions, without source of funds explanations in volumes unattainable for third-country citizens
- Education in the EU - admission to European universities as an EU citizen (at significantly lower prices)
At a total cost of €4,000–8,000 - this is one of the best investments in mobility and quality of life available today.
Frequently asked
Questions people ask before deciding
01Can I apply for D8 from Russia without leaving?
No. The Portuguese Consulate in Russia is not operating. Applications are submitted in a third country - Serbia, Turkey, Georgia. You need to physically come for document submission.
02Do I need to live in Portugal all the time during the visa stage?
D8 visa is an immigration visa that assumes actual residence. To maintain residence permit status, you cannot be absent for more than 6 months consecutively or 8 months in total per year. The "digital nomad" status does not mean freedom to travel around the world.
03Is D8 suitable for couples and families?
Yes. A spouse or partner (including in a civil marriage under Portuguese law) and children under 18 can obtain residence permit as family members. Income must cover the entire family - the threshold is higher for each dependent.
04Is my income in rubles a problem?
Not a problem. The bank converts rubles to euros, the consulate looks at the euro equivalent. The key thing is bank statements confirming regular income and its amount. I recommend keeping at least part of your income in foreign currency.
05Can I register a sole proprietorship in Portugal in parallel?
Yes, after obtaining residence permit you can become self-employed (trabalhador independente) in Portugal. But at the D8 visa stage, the income source must be foreign. Opening a local sole proprietorship does not annul D8, but changes the tax situation - consult in advance.
06What is NIF and why is it needed before arrival?
NIF is número de identificação fiscal, the Portuguese tax identification number. Without it you cannot sign a lease agreement, open an account, or obtain insurance. You can obtain it through a Portuguese representative (lawyer or agent) online without traveling. This is done first and foremost.
07How quickly is a D8 application reviewed?
Officially up to 60 days. In practice - usually 3–5 weeks. It cannot be expedited. This is why it is important to plan with a buffer: the entire process from document start to entry takes 2–4 months.
08Is Portuguese language required to obtain the visa?
For D8 visa - no. For citizenship in 5 years - yes, level A2. It is better to start learning immediately after moving rather than three months before the exam.
09What changed with NHR in 2025–2026?
Classical NHR has been replaced with the IFICI regime - it is oriented toward technology specialists, researchers, startups. The rate is the same - 20% for 10 years. But the list of eligible activities has been updated. If you are in IT or science - you almost certainly qualify. Marketing, media, consulting - need to check specifically.
10Can I work for multiple clients from different countries?
Yes, this is a normal situation for a freelancer. The key thing is that total income from all clients must be €3,280/month or more, and all clients must be foreign (not Portuguese).
11What happens if I lose my job after obtaining residence permit?
Residence permit is not annulled automatically. But when renewing in 2 years you need to confirm income again. If by that time you find new employment with sufficient income - you will renew without issues. Ideally - avoid prolonged periods without income.
12Does Portugal have a double taxation treaty with Russia?
Yes, such an agreement exists. This means that income on which you paid tax in one country will not be taxed again in the other. In practice, most Portuguese resident clients terminate their tax residency in Russia after moving. Clarify your specific situation with a tax consultant before moving.
Transparency
How this material was prepared
- Author
- Daniel Kovach, senior International Law Attorney, BRIDGES
- Terms and costs last verified
- June 2026
- Sources
- official government authorities of the relevant country and state publications
- Methodology
- government minimum requirements are stated separately from due diligence charges, state fees, legal and banking costs
Sources and methodology
Figures, terms and timelines are checked against official sources as of June 2026. Link availability verified in August 2026. Third-party blogs and agent websites are not used as a source of programme terms.
- [1]Inspectoratul General pentru ImigrăriResidence permits and stayigi.mai.gov.ro
Methodology: tables and charts state government minimum investment requirements; due diligence charges, state fees, legal, banking and other costs are calculated separately and are not included in the minimum thresholds.
About the author
Related materials
What to read next
ComparisonAntigua and Barbuda or Grenada: Family Passport for Large Families in 2026
AnalysisWhat is due diligence and why the Caribbean is rejecting applications
ArticleRomanian citizenship for Moldovans: simplified path to the EU in 2026Personal programme selection is conducted by Anna Kovalevskaya, Head of Legal, BRIDGES.
Citizenship of Romania: preparation checklist
Documents prepared in advance, source of funds checks and where applications usually fail.
