Romania is preparing to introduce a residency-by-investment initiative that would allow non-EU nationals to secure a renewable five-year residence permit in return for an investment of at least €400,000, according to Profit.ro, which says it has reviewed the draft proposal.
The preliminary bill reportedly identifies four types of qualifying investments:
- Acquisition of Romanian government securities worth no less than €400,000 with a minimum maturity period of five years
- Purchase of real estate property in Romania valued at €400,000 or above, retained for at least five years
- Commitment of at least €400,000 into investment funds regulated by the Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF)
- Buying shares in companies listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange with a total value of at least €400,000
Under the plan, investors would need to maintain their selected investment for the entire duration of the residence permit. The proposed framework notably includes no minimum stay requirement, meaning investors could preserve their residency rights without living full-time in Romania.
Applicants would be required to demonstrate the lawful origin of funds, show they are not subject to international sanctions, and pass national security screening.
Before the issuance of any residence permit, authorities would seek mandatory input from the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI), the Foreign Intelligence Service (SIE), and the National Office for the Prevention and Combating of Money Laundering (ONPCSB).
The program would also permit family members to be included under the same application.
Romanian (EU) Citizenship
According to the draft text, successful participants could gain eligibility for permanent residence after five years, followed by the option to apply for Romanian citizenship in accordance with Citizenship Law No. 21/1991. However, the timeline for naturalization remains unclear, as the proposal does not specify whether citizenship applications could be made immediately after the five-year term or only after obtaining permanent resident status first.
Ordinarily, Romanian citizenship requires eight years of lawful residence, though this period can be shortened by up to three years for applicants demonstrating notable economic, educational, cultural, or humanitarian contributions.
New Golden Visas 2025 - in Other Countries
Romania’s draft scheme aligns with a series of new investor residence programs emerging in 2025. The Maldives launched its first such initiative in July, requiring about $250,000 in property investment, while the Trump administration unveiled the Gold Card Suite in February, with investment tiers between $1 million and $5 million. Both remain pending regulatory approval.
Earlier this year, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan also rolled out Golden Visa programs, setting thresholds of $300,000 and $250,000, respectively. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates broadened its existing scheme in October to recognize philanthropists contributing to national endowment projects. With its current proposal, Romania becomes the fifth country in 2025 to announce a new or expanded residency-by-investment pathway.