A project in Romania?
Romania isn't yet part of our established network of local contacts. We assess every project case by case, though, and can bring in a trusted local partner (lawyer, accountant) if needed to create and direct your structure.
The path to creating a SRL in Romania, step by step
These timelines assume a complete file (ID documents, supporting evidence, governance decisions made): an incomplete file is the single most common cause of delay, ahead of the administrative timelines themselves. Once the file is genuinely complete, expect generally 1 to 2 weeks for the legal process itself.
Minimum share capital: RON 500 (mandatory increase to RON 5,000 above RON 400,000 in turnover).
Project scoping & complete file
Gathering ID documents, mandate, governance decisions and choice of bank — the essential groundwork for the legal timelines below to actually start running.
No mandatory notary
Notarial authentication is only required for the director's specimen signature or an in-kind contribution; the articles themselves do not require a notary.
Bank account mandatory since 2026
Law 239/2025 now requires opening a bank account as soon as the company is registered.
Account-opening deadline
The company has 60 business days after registration to open a payment account, which must be at a Romanian bank.
Fixed or unlimited duration
The articles can specify unlimited duration (standard) or a fixed term, relevant for a project company.
Safety margin — opening the bank account
On top of the legal timelines above, allow one week of banking margin: KYC checks, extra documentation or a branch appointment can extend account opening, particularly for a non-resident director.
VAT
| Taux | ||
|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | 21% | |
| Reduced rates | 11% | food, catering, medicines, books, accommodation, firewood |
| Reduced rates | 9% | new housing, temporarily until 31 July 2026 |
Corporate tax
16% generally; a micro-enterprise regime at 1% or 3% of turnover is possible under threshold conditions.
Is a visa required?
No for an EU/EEA national. A non-EU national may need a type D visa for economic activity if they wish to reside in Romania to run the business.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation, the bank and the relevant authority. We confirm the precise timeline with you during the initial assessment of your project.
Opening a bank account
Is presence in Romania required?
The director does not need to be a shareholder and can be any natural person with full legal capacity; presence is not systematically required, but certified translations of ID documents are needed for foreign shareholders.
Observed timeframe to open the account
Up to 60 business days since 2026 (new legal requirement to open an account upon registration), though actual opening is often completed in 1-2 weeks with an online bank.
Share capital deposit
Minimum share capital: RON 500 (mandatory increase to RON 5,000 above RON 400,000 in turnover).
Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) register
Every director or shareholder must be declared as an Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) in the national register — a requirement stemming from EU anti-money-laundering directives (or equivalent standards outside the EU). Bank scrutiny is heightened in two situations common among international clients: when a shareholder or director is a US citizen or US tax resident (FATCA then imposes extra reporting obligations on the bank, which can slow down or complicate account opening); and when a shareholder is based in an African country rated higher-risk by the FATF (extra proof of the origin of funds, longer KYC validation times). We anticipate this with you from the initial assessment if your structure involves such profiles.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation. We confirm the applicable detail with you during the initial assessment of your project.
Selling on-site and clearing customs
Securing a premises or retail location
Commercial lease and registering the point of work with the trade register (ONRC).
On-site sales & till
An electronic fiscal cash register is mandatory for all retail sales, connected to the tax authority (ANAF).
Cash register suppliers
- SumUp
- Zettle (PayPal)
- myPOS
- Shopify POS
- Lightspeed
Payment providers for small businesses
- Stripe
- PayPal Business
- Adyen
- Netopia (acquéreur local)
- EuPlatesc
Indicative, non-exhaustive list of examples of solutions present on the local market — availability and terms change quickly; we help you select the best-suited offer during the assessment of your project.
Customs & ATA carnet
To exhibit or sell equipment at a trade fair, the ATA carnet allows temporary import of goods — professional equipment, samples, stand fittings — without advancing customs duties or import VAT, provided they are re-exported within the allotted period (generally 12 months, sometimes 6 months for fair equipment). The carnet is issued by the chamber of commerce in the country of departure and recognised across the international network of ATA Convention countries, a network that covers Romania.
Importing products from outside the European Union
To import goods from a non-EU country (China, the US, etc.), an EORI number is essential for any customs procedure. Customs duties depend on the tariff code (combined nomenclature) and the product's origin; import VAT is then due at the rate applicable in the destination country, generally recoverable if the business is VAT-registered. Depending on trade agreements in force, some products benefit from reduced or zero duties on presentation of a certificate of origin. The competent authority for these procedures is Romanian National Customs Authority.
On-site consumer rules
A sale concluded in person at a stand during a trade fair that is not your usual place of business is generally classed as an "off-premises" contract under the EU Consumer Rights Directive (2011/83/EU): the customer then has a 14-day right of withdrawal, subject to exceptions (personalised, perishable or sealed goods). This principle, harmonised across the EU/EEA, applies in Romania — we check the local details with you based on your sales activity.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation. We confirm the applicable detail with you during the initial assessment of your project.