Romania’s new Golden Visa program, announced in October 2025, opens a pathway for non-EU investors to gain renewable 5-year EU residency through a minimum €400,000 investment.
While the law is still pending final approval, the official draft already defines clear investment routes, eligibility criteria, and most importantly, a mandatory pre-approval stage to ensure full legal security before any funds are transferred.
A very important aspect of the Romanian Golden Visa is that before any investment is made, the application will go through a pre-approval process.
This means that no investment is carried out until it is 100% certain that the visa and residence permit will be granted.
This safeguard makes Romania’s program one of the most transparent and risk-protected in Europe.
Understanding the Romanian Golden Visa
The Golden Visa Romania 2025 was designed to attract foreign investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals seeking EU access through legitimate, verifiable investment.
Key points based on the official draft:
- Minimum investment: €400,000
- Residency duration:
- 5 years, renewable while maintaining the investment
- Eligible routes:
- real estate, government bonds, authorised investment funds, or listed company shares
- Family inclusion:
- spouse and dependent children
- Path to citizenship:
- after the standard legal residence period under Romanian Citizenship Law No. 21/1991
This makes Romania one of the most affordable EU residency-by-investment programs, with a strong legal structure and real economic purpose.
Step-by-Step Application Process (Based on Current Draft)
The full procedure will be finalised once the law enters into force. However, current legislative drafts and official briefings outline the following steps:
1. Pre-Approval
The applicant undergoes eligibility and KYC screening. This stage confirms the investor meets all financial and legal requirements before any payment or investment is made.
2. Investment Reservation
After pre-approval, the investor selects an investment route (such as real estate or bonds…). Funds are placed under a conditional agreement or escrow until visa confirmation.
3. Visa Application
Submission to a Romanian consulate with standard documentation: passport, proof of funds, criminal record, medical insurance, and family documents.
4. Security Review
Romanian authorities conduct final background and compliance checks through inter-agency verification (including AML and national security services).
5. Residence Card Issuance –
Upon approval, the applicant receives a 5-year residence permit, renewable while maintaining the qualifying investment.
This process is expected to take approximately 4–6 months once implementation begins, but timelines may vary pending official confirmation.
Documents Likely Required
Based on current immigration standards, investors should prepare:
- Valid passport and identification;
- Proof of lawful source of funds;
- Evidence of investment route (conditional or escrow agreement);
- Criminal record certificate;
- Proof of medical insurance;
- Family civil status documents (if applicable).
Door to Romania will publish the official document checklist once the Ministry of Interior confirms the final procedure.
Pathway to Permanent Residency and Citizenship
After five years of continuous residence, investors may apply for permanent residency in Romania.
Under Law No. 21/1991, applicants become eligible for Romanian citizenship after eight years of legal stay, or sooner if they have made a significant economic or cultural contribution to the country.
Citizenship provides full EU rights, including visa-free access to over 190 destinations and freedom to live, work, or study anywhere in the European Union.
Why Early Preparation Matters
Since the program was only recently announced, the first application window will likely have limited slots as authorities refine the process.
Preparing early — by completing eligibility checks, gathering documents, and selecting an investment route — will position investors ahead of the initial intake.
Door to Romania is currently registering priority clients to pre-qualify their applications and ensure readiness once official submissions open.
How Door to Romania Can Help
As one of the leading legal agencies in Romania specialising in investment-based residency and citizenship, Door to Romania provides full support for international clients through every phase of the Golden Visa process.
We offer:
- Pre-approval screening and KYC verification before any financial commitment;
- Investment guidance through vetted and legally compliant routes;
- Document preparation, translation, and submission to consulates and the IGI;
- Ongoing legal assistance for renewals, family inclusion, and citizenship applications.
Every application is managed by licensed lawyers and immigration experts to ensure full compliance and transparency.
Staying Informed
The Romania Golden Visa 2025 is still in draft form. Specific procedures, investment conditions, and timelines may be refined during final approval.
Door to Romania works directly with legal partners and government bodies to provide verified updates within 48 hours of any legislative change.
For now, investors can pre-register to receive official updates and secure a place among the first processed applicants once applications officially begin.
Final Thoughts
The Romania Golden Visa 2025 combines prudence, transparency, and opportunity — offering a structured, EU-backed path to residency and future citizenship.
Its pre-approval safeguard and affordable investment threshold make it one of Europe’s most attractive upcoming programs.
At Door to Romania, we handle every stage — from eligibility assessment to citizenship strategy — with accuracy and care.
Applications will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
To ensure each case is processed correctly, our legal team will accept a limited number of early clients during the initial launch phase.