Romania: residency, citizenship and cost of living
Paths checked against sources: 2026-11
Path to citizenship
Romanian citizenship by naturalisation comes after 8 years of legal residence, or 5 years from marriage while living with a Romanian citizen; you need Romanian, basic culture, knowledge of the Constitution and anthem, and means of living. Dual citizenship is allowed. Descendants (up to the third generation) of people who lost Romanian citizenship involuntarily (for example in Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina) can regain it without residence, with a Romanian language certificate; hundreds of thousands have applied, so waits are long. Whether Ukrainians' temporary-protection time counts we could not find — the graph does not count it.
- • 8 years of legal residence
- • spouses of citizens — 5 years from marriage while living together
- • reacquisition by descent — no residence period
Citizenship application processing, years: 1–3.
Check your own pathMonthly budget
Average lifestyle, employed; data as of 11.2026. Deposits, furniture and the move itself are not included.
| City | Single | Family 2+2 |
|---|---|---|
| Bucharest | RON 6,360≈ €1,190 | RON 14,800≈ €2,780 |
| Cluj-Napoca | RON 6,150≈ €1,150 | RON 13,600≈ €2,540 |
| Iași | RON 5,390≈ €1,010 | RON 12,200≈ €2,280 |
Country scores (out of 100)
- Safety78
- Earning potential77
- Healthcare72
- Path to citizenship42
- Schools and education37
- Environment56
- Warm, sunny climate58
Frequently asked questions
How do you get citizenship in Romania, and how long does it take?
8 years of legal residence; spouses of citizens — 5 years from marriage while living together; reacquisition by descent — no residence period. Processing takes 1–3 years. The questionnaire shows the timeline for your situation.
How do you get residency in Romania?
The main routes we cover: Residence in Romania (work, business, study); Living with a Romanian spouse in Romania; Descendant of former Romanian citizens. The questionnaire shows which fit you and where they lead next.
How much does it cost to live in Romania per month?
Per month, one person / family of four: Bucharest ≈ RON 6,360 / RON 14,800; Cluj-Napoca ≈ RON 6,150 / RON 13,600; Iași ≈ RON 5,390 / RON 12,200. Average lifestyle, employed; data as of 11.2026.
How much is rent in Romania?
A home for one person, from modest to comfortable: Bucharest RON 3,130–RON 4,500; Cluj-Napoca RON 2,930–RON 3,880; Iași RON 2,300–RON 3,000.
How up to date is this data?
Paths to citizenship checked against sources: 11.2026; budget as of 11.2026. Sources are listed on this page; rules change, so check official sites before deciding.
Sources
This is not legal advice. Rules change — check official sources before deciding.