Romanian Citizenship by Origin: Complete Guide 2026

Who is eligible for citizenship by descent?

The right to regain Romanian citizenship is enshrined in Article 11 of the Romanian Citizenship Law (Legea cetățeniei române). It applies to persons who either themselves lost citizenship against their own will (as a result of deportations, occupation, forced renunciation), or are descendants of such persons up to the third generation inclusive.

In practice, this means: if your grandfather or great-grandfather was a Romanian citizen before 1940 and lived in the territory that was part of Romania (Bessarabia, Northern Bukovina, Herza, Northern Transylvania), you can apply for Romanian citizenship.

Key territories whose residents had Romanian citizenship:

• Bessarabia - modern Moldova and Odessa region of Ukraine (Izmail, Bolgrad, Kilia)
• Northern Bukovina - Chernivtsi region of Ukraine
• Hertz - region in northern Ukraine
• Northern Transylvania - a region in Romania temporarily occupied by Hungary from 1940–1944.

Important: the program does not require proof of ethnicity. It is enough to prove that the ancestor was a citizen of Romania and lived in the relevant territory.

Required documents

The package of documents is formed along the chain: from you to the ancestor-citizen of Romania. Each document requires an apostille (if issued by a country that has acceded to the Hague Convention) and a notarized translation into Romanian.

Applicant's personal documents:

• Birth certificate (apostille + translation)
• Marriage certificate (if last name has changed)
• Valid passport
• Certificate of no criminal record (apostille + translation)

Documents for each intermediate generation:

• Birth certificate of parent/grandparent
• Marriage certificate (if last name has changed)
• Death certificate (if deceased)

Documents for an ancestor who is a citizen of Romania:

• Document confirming Romanian citizenship or residence on Romanian territory before 1940: metric registration, passport, deportation document, archival certificate

If the original documents are lost, they can be restored through the archives: registry office, state archives of Russia/Ukraine/Moldova, church registers. In some cases, ANR accepts circumstantial evidence in the aggregate.

ANR Submission Procedure

Since 2026, the procedure has changed: DABC (Departamentul pentru Relații cu Românii de Pretutindeni) is no longer an intermediate link. All applications are submitted directly to ANR - Autoritatea Națională pentru Cetățenie.

Step by step process:

1. Preparation of documents. Collection and translation of the entire package. This is the longest stage - 2-6 months depending on the complexity of the pedigree.
2. Submitting an application. In person at ANR in Bucharest or through a notarized representative (lawyer in Romania).
3. Consideration. ANR checks documents. Duration: 12–24 months. In complex cases, requests for additional documents are possible.
4. Taking the oath. If the decision is positive, the applicant must appear in person in Romania to take an oath of allegiance to the state. This is a mandatory step - without it, citizenship does not come into force.
5. Receiving documents. After the oath, you receive a certificate of citizenship, then a Romanian identity card (buletin) and a foreign passport.

Timing and cost

Total period from the start of preparation to receipt of a passport: 18–36 months. This is the total time spent collecting documents, waiting for the ANR decision and issuing a passport.

Estimated costs:

• Apostilles in the country of issue of documents: $50–200 per document
• Notarized translations into Romanian: €30–80 per document
• Archival certificates (if necessary): €100–400
• State duty ANR: about €70
• Romanian passport: €120–150
• Services of a Romanian lawyer (if applying through a representative): €1,500–4,000

Full turnkey support through a specialized company: $3,000–8,000.

What does a Romanian passport provide?

Romania has been a member of the EU since 2007. The Romanian passport opens:

• The right to live and work in all 27 EU countries without visas or permits
• Visa-free entry to 170+ countries, including the USA, UK, Japan, Canada
• Access to European education at prices for EU citizens
• Possibility to open accounts and register companies in the EU without restrictions
• EHIC health insurance throughout the EU

Dual citizenship allowed: Russia, Ukraine, Moldova do not prohibit citizens from holding a Romanian passport (although they require notification or compliance with local procedures).

Romania vs other routes to an EU passport

Among EU citizenship programs by origin, Romania is one of the most affordable options:

• Romania by roots: $3,000–8,000, 18–36 months, no need to live in the country
• Bulgaria by roots (reform 2026): similar conditions, ~9–12 months
• Hungary by roots: requires Hungarian roots, language, ~2–3 years
• Portugal by origin: through proof of Sephardic Jewish ancestry
• Poland Pole's Card: provides benefits but not citizenship