The process of obtaining Romanian citizenship has undergone significant changes in recent years, and statistical data reflects this trend. Between 2018 and 2024, the number of Romanian citizenship application files fluctuated, with a steady increase during 2018-2019, but also a sharp decrease in approval rates in the following years. For example, in 2018, there were 93,787 applications, of which 88% were approved and 12% remained pending. In contrast, in 2023, only 0.37% of the 38,981 files were approved, the rest still being under evaluation.
During the pandemic years (2020-2021), the number of applications dropped significantly due to the impact of social distancing and related restrictions. Thus, in 2020, only 20,871 files were submitted, and in 2021, this number slightly increased to 38,707. Nevertheless, the approval rate remained low.
In 2024, 50,350 requests were submitted, but none were approved by the end of the year. The situation remained unchanged through March 2025, with 3,976 files currently submitted and none approved by the National Authority for Citizenship (ANC).
This trend of increasing pending files and decreasing approval rates in Romania is directly influenced by recent legislative changes, which have introduced stricter conditions for obtaining Romanian citizenship.
With the new legal provisions in place, the process of obtaining Romanian citizenship has become more rigorous, requiring applicants to meet new conditions for Romanian citizenship compared to previous years. One of the most important changes concerns Romanian language proficiency, which has now become a mandatory requirement for all applicants seeking to acquire Romanian citizenship by naturalisation in Romania or reacquisition of Romanian citizenship. Law no. 21/1991 on Romanian citizenship, particularly Articles 10 and 11, clearly stipulates that the applicant must demonstrate a certain level of competence in the Romanian language by presenting a language proficiency certificate issued by higher education institutions in Romania or other accredited institutions.
In this context, an immigration lawyer in Romania plays a crucial role in the citizenship application process, providing legal advice and support throughout all phases.
Obtaining Citizenship by Birth
The simplest way to obtain Romanian citizenship is by birth, for persons born on Romanian territory or whose parents are Romanian citizens. According to the law, individuals born on Romanian soil automatically acquire Romanian citizenship, except in certain exceptional cases regulated by law. Similarly, those born outside Romania to Romanian parents have the right to acquire Romanian citizenship by birth, without needing to file a complete citizenship application in Romania or meet any linguistic competence requirements. This is a much simpler and quicker process than naturalisation in Romania or reacquisition of Romanian citizenship, which impose significantly stricter conditions for obtaining Romanian citizenship.
Obtaining Citizenship by Naturalisation in Romania
Naturalisation in Romania is the legal method by which foreign nationals can obtain Romanian citizenship, provided they fulfil the conditions imposed by the Romanian state. These conditions include legal residency in Romania for at least 8 years (or 5 years if married to a Romanian citizen), proof of Romanian language proficiency through certification (at least B1 level), and the applicant’s social and cultural integration. These requirements must be demonstrated through supporting documents such as employment proof, proof of social integration, and reasonable legal conduct.
Applicants must prove they are capable of actively participating in Romanian social and cultural life. When applying for citizenship in Romania, they must include identity documents, proof of residency in Romania, a Romanian language certificate, and other relevant paperwork.
Obtaining Citizenship by Reacquisition
In cases of reacquisition of Romanian citizenship, individuals who previously held Romanian citizenship but lost it due to emigration or voluntary renunciation may submit a request to the National Authority for Citizenship. The loss of citizenship often stems from prior laws or personal decisions, and it must be reviewed before reinstatement. The reacquisition of Romanian citizenship follows an administrative procedure whereby the applicant can regain citizenship status, provided certain conditions for obtaining Romanian citizenship are met. These include residency in Romania, background checks on the reason citizenship was lost, and proof of Romanian language proficiency.
Foreign citizens applying for the reacquisition of Romanian citizenship must submit a complete file, similar to the naturalisation process in Romania. A Romanian citizenship lawyer can be of great help in preparing and submitting the necessary documents.
„Obtaining Romanian citizenship is no longer a simple formality. The new requirements demand a careful and well-documented approach. The support of a specialised immigration lawyer consultation in Romania is not just an advantage, but a real necessity for those seeking to obtain Romanian citizenship.”
— Dr. Radu Pavel, Managing Partner of Pavel, Mărgărit & Associates Romanian Law Firm
In conclusion, the procedure of obtaining Romanian citizenship has become significantly more demanding due to the new legal requirements, focusing primarily on the real integration of applicants into Romanian society.
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Pavel, Mărgărit and Associates Law Firm is one of the top law firms in Romania, providing high-quality legal services. The firm’s clients include multinational and domestic companies of great magnitude. In 2025, the law firm’s success stories brought it international recognition from the most prestigious international guides and publications in the field. As a result, Pavel, Mărgărit and Associates Law Firm ranked 3rd in Romania in the Legal 500’s ranking of business law firms with the most relevant expertise. The law firm is internationally recognised by the IFLR 1000 Financial and Corporate 2025 guide. Additionally, Pavel, Mărgărit and Associates Law Firm is the only law firm in Romania recommended by the international director of Global Law Experts in London in the Dispute Resolution practice area. All relevant information about Pavel, Mărgărit and Associates Law Firm can be found on the website www.avocatpavel.com.
