Overview
Under Romania's foreigners law, digital nomads are foreigners employed by a company registered outside Romania, or owning one, who provide services through information and communication technology and can work remotely. The long-stay visa is applied for through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' eViza portal, and once in Romania the holder applies to the General Inspectorate for Immigration for a residence permit.
Romania joined the Schengen area in 2025, so the permit now comes with free movement across the zone.
Editor's note — Law 69/2023 exempts digital nomads from Romanian income tax and social contributions on their foreign salary as long as they are present 183 days or less in any 12 consecutive months. Cross the line and you become taxable on worldwide income.
Who is eligible
- Employed by a company registered outside Romania, or owner of a company registered outside Romania, providing services through ICT.
- Means of subsistence from that activity of at least three times Romania's average gross monthly salary, for each of the last six months and for the whole visa period.
- Health insurance with cover of at least €30,000.
- Apostilled criminal-record certificate, tax and fiscal-residence certificates, proof of accommodation and a travel ticket.
- Passport valid at least three months beyond the visa.
Income & financial requirements
The average gross monthly salary in Romania.
per month: 3 × RON 9,192, the 2026 average gross salary (Law 44/2026).
Each month must clear the threshold.
Minimum medical cover.
The statutory test is “at least three times the average gross monthly salary in Romania for each of the last six months preceding the visa application and for the entire period covered by the visa”. Since 30 March 2026 the reference salary is RON 9,192 (Law 44/2026 on the 2026 state social-insurance budget), so the bar is RON 27,576 a month; from 1 January to 29 March 2026 it was three times RON 8,620. Confirm the current figure with the consulate.
Applicants file the employment contract (or company registration and proof the company is active), a letter of intent, and the tax and fiscal-residence certificates from home, all apostilled or super-legalised.
Costs & fees
- Long-stay visa fee of €120.
- Residence permit fee on arrival, plus the cost of apostilles, certified Romanian translations and the €30,000 insurance policy.
- Return or onward transport evidence (ticket or vehicle documents) is a listed requirement.
Taxes
Law 69/2023 (amending the Fiscal Code) exempts qualifying digital nomads from income tax and from social and health-insurance contributions on salary income from their foreign employer, provided they spend 183 days or less in Romania in any 12 consecutive months.
Beyond 183 days you become a Romanian tax resident (10% flat income tax, plus contributions) on worldwide income.
How to apply
Apply on eViza
Create the D/AS application on eviza.mae.ro and upload the supporting documents.
Consular decision
The long-stay visa is typically decided within about 30 days; it is valid for 90 days.
Enter Romania
Travel within the visa's validity and settle into your declared accommodation.
Get the residence permit
Apply to the General Inspectorate for Immigration before the visa expires for a six-month, renewable permit.
Duration & renewal
The D/AS visa is a 90-day entry visa. The residence permit issued afterwards is valid for six months and renewable while you keep meeting the conditions — but time on it is not designed to lead to permanent residence.
Bringing family
The digital nomad category itself does not include family members; spouses and children would apply under Romania's family-reunification rules once the nomad holds a residence permit.
Pros & cons
Advantages
- Full tax exemption if you stay ≤183 days per year
- Lowest living costs among Schengen nomad destinations
- Schengen free movement since 2025
- Fast broadband and a large tech workforce
Considerations
- One of Europe's highest income floors (3× average wage)
- Six-month permits mean frequent renewals
- Heavy apostille and translation burden
- No family category and no PR pathway