Summary
Romania is set to launch a Golden Visa program, creating a new pathway to residency in the European Union through real estate purchase. The minimum investment threshold is €400,000.
Elena Ruda, Chief Development Officer at Immigrant Invest, has reviewed all available details of the upcoming program and analysed the opportunities it could create for investors.
What is known about Romania’s new Golden Visa?
Romania announced the launch of its Golden Visa on October 15th, 2025[1]. Residence permits by investment in the national economy will be issued for 5 years and can be renewed. Investors will not be required to reside in Romania.
An investor’s spouse and children may be included in the residence application.
Which options will Romania Golden Visa offer?
Four investment options will be available under Romania Golden Visa:
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Buying real estate.
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Acquiring government bonds.
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Investing in fund units authorised by the Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF).
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Purchasing shares in Romanian companies.
The minimum investment for each option is €400,000. Investments must be maintained for at least 5 years.
What are the requirements for applicants?
Romania’s residence permit by investment will be available to citizens of countries outside the European Union and the European Economic Area.
Applicants must provide proof of the legal source of their funds and not appear on any international sanctions lists.
Before a residence permit is granted, the investor’s application will undergo security screening by the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI), the Foreign Intelligence Service (SIE), and the National Office for the Prevention and Control of Money Laundering (ONPCSB).
How can investors get permanent residence and Romanian citizenship?
Romania’s Golden Visa holders will be eligible for permanent residence after 5 years and may then apply for citizenship.
Under Romania’s Citizenship Law No. 21/1991[2], applicants must have legally resided in the country for at least 8 years to qualify for naturalisation. This period may be reduced to 3 years for those who have made a notable contribution to Romania’s economic, social, or cultural life.
When will Romania Golden Visa take effect?
Exact launch date has not yet been announced. Applications for Romania’s Golden Visa will open once the law completes all stages of approval:
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Bill has already been registered for debate in the Senate[3].
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It will next move to the Chamber of Deputies for a final vote.
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After parliamentary approval, the Constitutional Court may review the legislation.
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President will then have 20 days to either sign the law or return it for revision.
The law will come into force after its publication in Romania’s Official Gazette[4].
Elena Ruda,
Chief Development Officer at Immigrant Invest
Romania offers a modern and practical approach to investment immigration. The program combines strict oversight with multiple investment options. This structure makes it straightforward and accessible to a broad range of investors.
If approved in its current form, Romania’s Golden Visa could soon rank among the most sought-after residence by investment programs in the EU.
How to get a residence permit by investment in the EU?
Several EU countries still offer residency by property investment. Among them are Greece, Latvia, Cyprus, and Malta. Portugal removed the real estate option in 2023, while Spain fully closed its residence by investment program in April 2025.
Among the remaining routes, many investors now prefer to purchase investment fund units, which offer stable returns through diversified portfolios and professional management. This option is currently available in Portugal, Greece, Hungary, and Cyprus.
Minimum investment requirements across EU countries are as follows:
In Malta and Cyprus, investors receive permanent residence status. It is granted indefinitely, with the residence card needing renewal once every 5 or 10 years.
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