Sorina
Lawyer · Bucharest, Romania
- 94 cases handled
- 8+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Romanian
- Degree
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5.00(8 reviews)
EU Citizen Registration Certificate (Residency Certificate) in Romania
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who stay in Romania for more than three months register their residence with the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) and receive a registration certificate, the certificat de înregistrare, which also shows their personal numeric code (CNP). English-speaking lawyers prepare the file, cover non-EU family members and handle later steps such as permanent residence.
About EU Citizen Registration Certificate (Residency Certificate) in Romania
The EU registration certificate in Romania (also called the EU residence certificate, and often searched as a residence permit for EU citizens; in Romanian certificat de înregistrare, often typed certificat de inregistrare) records the right of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen to live in Romania for more than three months. It is issued by the General Inspectorate for Immigration (Inspectoratul General pentru Imigrări, IGI) and shows the holder’s personal numeric code (CNP). Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “EU Residency Certificate (for EU Citizens)”.
Who needs it
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who come to Romania to work, run a business, study or live on their own means.
- Their family members: relatives who are EU citizens receive their own certificate, while non-EU relatives apply for a residence card (carte de rezidență).
- British citizens who arrived after Brexit are no longer treated as EU citizens and follow the rules for non-EU nationals.
At the IGI office
- The applicant goes to the IGI office of the county where they live, or of Bucharest, with a passport or national identity card.
- The file shows the ground for the stay: an employment contract, the registration of a business, enrolment at a school or university, or sufficient means and health insurance.
- Proof of an address in Romania is added, usually a rental contract or the owner’s written consent.
- The certificate is issued with the CNP, which is then asked for by banks, the tax office, doctors and landlords.
What to watch for
- The certificate confirms a right that comes from EU law. It is not a visa, and not the residence permit (permis de ședere) that non-EU nationals apply for.
- A new address or a new identity document is reported to IGI.
- After a long enough period of lawful residence, a permanent residence certificate can be requested. The periods and the papers accepted change; a lawyer confirms the current ones.
What a lawyer does
An English-speaking lawyer checks which ground fits, prepares the documents and translations, attends the appointment at IGI and deals with the residence card of non-EU relatives. The lawyer also helps with what often comes next: setting up a business, a self-employed visa when a partner is not an EU citizen, a family reunification visa or, years later, a citizenship application. See also the other immigration matters in Romania.
Questions and answers
Do EU citizens need a residence permit in Romania?
Not a permit in the non-EU sense. A stay of more than three months is registered with IGI, which issues the registration certificate.
What is the CNP and why does it matter?
The CNP is the Romanian personal numeric code. It appears on the registration certificate and is asked for by banks, employers, landlords, doctors and the tax office.
Can my non-EU spouse live with me in Romania?
Yes, as the family member of an EU citizen, with a residence card issued by IGI. The marriage is proved with documents, apostilled and translated where needed.
Is the registration certificate the same as permanent residence?
No. Permanent residence is a separate document, requested after a period of continuous lawful residence.
1 lawyer who provides EU Citizen Registration Certificate (Residency Certificate) in Romania
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What our clients say about our service in Romania
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She replied extremely fast to my first inquiry, quickly arranged a meeting to go over the details, and answered all my questions. Reaching her by phone or text was easy, she was punctual, and she was fun and personable to talk to as well, with perfect English. After I had struggled for months to get this done on my own, she sorted everything out for me in record time. Anyone trying to navigate Greek bureaucracy should hire her, and I would recommend her.
— Ine06 Aug 2026 -
She is simply fantastic, and I can recommend her services highly. She guided me through the entire process, which ended successfully, and she was always available and easy to communicate with.
— Cameron30 Jan 2026EU Citizen Registration Certificate (Residency Certificate) -
In applying for my Spanish green card, the lawyer was very efficient and professional, and she reassured me again and again whenever I had doubts about the process. I am a foreigner who speaks little of the language, and she was easy to deal with in English. She submitted every form on time, so my part was little more than trusting her experience and guidance. I am more than happy with the results.
— Kenneth22 Nov 2024EU Citizen Registration Certificate (Residency Certificate) -
The service was very good, with timely responses throughout. The lawyer was accurate and knowledgeable. I would recommend her to anyone and would use her again.
— Kate30 Aug 2024EU Citizen Registration Certificate (Residency Certificate) -
I got what I needed in Spain without problems, with excellent assistance.
— Harald20 Mar 2024 -
My experience is excellent. Using a lawyer who speaks fluent English, I am confident that I am compliant with Spanish law. We have an open and honest relationship, and I trust that the lawyer is always acting in my best interest.
— Julie11 Mar 2024EU Citizen Registration Certificate (Residency Certificate) -
The lawyer gave an excellent service. She and her team responded very quickly to what we needed and got us past every difficulty that arose, with great professionalism. I was completely satisfied with the result. I would warmly recommend her to friends and colleagues.
— peter02 Mar 2022 -
The support was excellent, thank you.
— Jessie27 Oct 2021 -
Her English was impeccable and she answered every email very quickly. Our Spanish residency application came at a very difficult moment, when Covid travel restrictions applied, and I wrote to her countless times in a panic that we would never finish it. She stayed patient, knowledgeable, reassuring and informative throughout. When we met at the Immigration Centre she was friendly yet professional. I cannot judge the value for money, as I had no idea what this process should cost.
— Helen29 Sep 2021 -
She was fantastic all the way through my application for Spanish residency. Whenever I had a question she was just a phone call or a WhatsApp message away, and she did more than I expected to keep everything running smoothly. I was completely satisfied with the result. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a solicitor.
— Antony02 Sep 2021 -
I was extremely pleased with the whole service.
— Rex02 Jul 2021 -
Excellent, professional work from the lawyer and his team, and I am completely satisfied. I valued his careful eye for detail and would warmly recommend him.
— Paul30 Jun 2021