The general regime requires foreign investors to put in EUR 100,000 and create ten jobs. Citizens of the USA, Canada, Japan and Switzerland fall under a special regime without those thresholds, and apply directly for the residence permit with no prior visa.
At a glance
Who it is for: citizens of the USA, Canada, Japan and Switzerland setting up a company in Romania
The advantage: no EUR 100,000 threshold and no ten-job requirement
The procedure: direct application for the residence permit, with no prior visa
The result: a Romanian company and a right of residence, with access to the EU market
How this differs from the general regime
For most third-country nationals, a residence permit for commercial activities comes with rigid conditions: an investment of around EUR 100,000 and the creation of ten jobs.
Citizens of the four states above benefit from a more favourable regime under the applicable agreements. The investment threshold and the hiring requirement do not apply, which turns a project blocked by numbers into a workable one.
What documents are needed
The file includes a valid passport, the company's incorporation documents, valid medical insurance, a medical certificate and a lease for your accommodation.
Unlike other procedures, this regime does not require a criminal record certificate, which shortens preparation.
What you actually get
A working Romanian company and a right of residence tied to its activity. Romania becomes your entry point for business in the European Union, with operating costs among the lowest in the region.
The permit is renewed on the basis of the company's continuing activity, and family members can obtain residence under the family reunification rules.
Where problems arise
The usual obstacles come not from the special regime but from execution: incorporation documents that do not reflect the real activity, a non-compliant lease, or a renewal application filed too late.
Renewal should be prepared at least 30 days before expiry, with evidence that the company is active.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to invest EUR 100,000?
No. For citizens of the USA, Canada, Japan and Switzerland that threshold does not apply. The company must nonetheless be real and active.
Do I need a visa before applying for the permit?
No. You apply directly for the residence permit, which removes a step and shortens the overall timeline.
How many employees must I have?
There is no obligation to create ten jobs, unlike the general regime. You can hire as the business grows.
Is there a minimum turnover?
No mandatory threshold applies to keeping the permit, but the company must carry on real activity rather than exist on paper.
How long does incorporation and the permit take?
Registering the company with the Trade Register normally takes a few working days from a complete filing. The residence permit follows the statutory deadlines of the immigration authority.
Can my family join me?
Yes, through family reunification, once you hold your own right of residence.
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