Is there a Digital Nomad Visa for Romania?
While often overlooked in favor of other European countries, Central and Eastern Europe is a promising destination for digital nomads, particularly since the Romanian government announced a new digital nomad visa in December of 2021.
This legal initiative was introduced in collaboration with the Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digitalization to boost the country’s economy by recruiting 20000 digital nomads a year. The government predicts that due to the purchasing power of digital nomads, this alone will improve the country’s economy, adding around 50 million euros a year.
With a lower cost of living than countries like Portugal and Croatia, but the same level of quality public infrastructure, culture, and cuisine, the Romania digital nomad visa gives other digital nomad visas a run for their money.
The Romanian digital nomad visa allows holders to spend 12 months in the country working remotely. Digital nomads must be self-employed or work remotely, as well as make a particular monthly income to be eligible for the visa. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty details of the Romania digital nomad visa such as the documents required, who can apply, and the benefits.
Who Can Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa for Romania
Romania’s digital nomad visa is offered exclusively to digital nomads who are self-employed company owners that have their own company outside Romania or are remote workers for a company registered outside Romania. It is available to any non-EU citizens that fit all the requirements, including proof of stable income. If you are an EU citizen, we recommend applying for a different visa such as a long-term visa that requires less monthly income.
Romania Digital Nomad Visa: Requirements
Digital nomads will need to fill all of the following requirements to be able to work remotely and obtain this new visa:
- Be a digital nomad – have your own company registered outside Romania or work for a foreign company. You must prove you are employed full-time or part-time for at least three years outside of the country before applying.
- 3x the Romanian average gross salary (€3,700 per month)
- Have a clean criminal record and a place to stay in Romania
- Obtain health insurance that covers medical care in Romania
- Have identification documents and an employment contract
Application Process: How do I apply for the Romania Digital Nomad Visa?
To apply for the Romania digital nomad visa, you can apply through the Romanian embassy in person or online through the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once you have filled out your personal information and uploaded the required documents, digital nomads tend to have their visas approved and processed after 10 to 14 working days. Take a look at all the documents required below and make sure each file is not larger than 2MB.
Documents needed for getting the Romania Digital Nomad Visa
While the application process for the new visa is simple, digital nomads need to make sure they have the following documents ready:
- Proof of medical insurance that is valid for the total duration of stay (at least 12 months)
- Valid proof of monthly income of the last six months, at least €3,700 per month
- Proof of self-employment or employment contract with a foreign company
- Rental agreement or similar document to prove digital nomads have a place to live
- Proof of ticket to enter Romania
- Letter of intention that details why digital nomads are traveling
Additional documents might be requested by the Romanian authorities but this is unlikely. Digital nomads must submit the documents in the original copy, as well as translated into the Romanian language by a Romanian public notary.
How much does a Romania Digital Nomad Visa application cost?
The cost of the application has not yet been confirmed by the Romanian government, but it seems the price will be minimal, based on the prices of other visas. Rather, the objective is to benefit the economy of the country through the purchasing power of digital nomads working remotely.
Can you renew the Romanian Digital Nomad visa?
Like several other countries in Europe, the digital nomad visa in Romania can be renewed for another 12 months if everything is in order.
Is the Romanian Digital Nomad Visa worth it?
Why Move to Romania as a Digital Nomad
Romania is an incredibly underrated country in the Balkans with its landscape making it the most biogeographical diverse country in the European Union. From snow-covered mountains to Black Sea beaches in the southeast, Romania has something for everyone – as well as someone for everyone. Romanians are incredibly friendly and welcoming, always open to building connections with newcomers.
As a remote worker, you can enjoy high-speed internet at lower prices than in the rest of Europe, with even 5G being available in some cities.
English is also widely spoken in the country, particularly among younger generations. Romania’s location in central Europe makes it so that it is close to major European cities, only a direct flight away.
Remote working is also made easy when you are surrounded by nature. But if you are more into the hustle and bustle of a European capital, Bucharest is a popular destination for digital nomads, boasting a population of 1.8 million people. Home to major companies and innovative tech startups, the city is a digital nomad hub filled with an entrepreneurial spirit, plenty of coworking spaces, and a vibrant nightlife. That’s what makes Romania special, digital nomads are spoilt by choice when it comes to where they want to live, whether it be in a picturesque village in the mountain or a large city.
Cost of Living in Romania for Digital Nomads
Romania can offer you breathtaking nature from beaches to mountains, as well as a contrasting cosmopolitan capital, all for a cheap price tag. One of the cheapest countries in Europe, prices in Romania are extremely low. Although you need financial resources to apply for the digital nomad visa, you can live in the center of Bucharest for less than 1000 euros a month, including rent.
Do Digital Nomads Pay Tax in Romania?
According to the EU, those who rise in the country for up to 183 days in any 365-day period will only need to pay taxes in their home country. However, digital nomads with a Romanian visa looking to exceed this time frame will have to file for tax residency in Romania. However, Romania has some of the lowest taxes in the EU, including a flat 16% corporate tax and a 19% standard VAT. The flat personal income tax rate is generally 10%, but there are certain exceptions such as the tax rate for dividends and more. Unlike many EU countries, there are no local taxes on personal income in the country.
Can you travel in the EU / Schengen Area if you have a Romanian Digital Nomad visa?
Digital nomads with DN visas cannot travel freely within the EU. Such a visa is not enough for this and on top of that, Romania has not yet joined the Schengen area. To travel freely, digital nomads have to apply for visas in other countries.
Digital Nomad Hotspots: Popular Places for Digital Nomads in Romania
Wondering where to move to in Romania as a digital nomad? Along with Bucharest as a top choice, there are a ton of popular locations that have turned into digital nomad hotspots. Here are our 3 top places to live as a digital nomad in Romania.
Timisoara
Perhaps even more than Bucharest, Timisoara is one of the most popular cities in Romania for digital nomads, featuring multiple coworking spaces. The third-largest city in Romania, Timisoara is known for its IT industries, as well as a welcoming English-speaking community. The city has quaint streets in a pedestrianized old town that features three large squares with restaurants and bars.
Cluj Napoca
Home to plenty of universities, an exciting nightlife, and young people, Cluj Napoca is known for its historical landmarks dating back centuries and interesting history. Due to its coffee culture, there are plenty of cafes to work remotely for longer periods of time, without complaints. Although Cluj Napoca can feel quite isolating from other cities, the second-largest airport in Romania has been built there, making it digital nomad friendly.
Brasov
If you are a big skier or snowboarder, Brasov could be the place for your remote work. With around 250,000 people on the bottom of the Carpathian mountains, Brasov’s old town could have been taken out of a fairytale with cobbled streets and Gothic-style architecture. The city features plenty of entertainment activities, restaurants, and many coworking spaces. Brasov is cold during the winter, with snow sports available nearby, and warm in the summer, perfect for hiking.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this article left you thinking about applying for a digital nomad visa, but is Romania the right place for you? Despite the high-income requirement, it’s clear there are plenty of benefits. From the low cost of living and taxes, access to coworking spaces, and interesting sights, it is no surprise the government finds it easy to attract digital nomads and remote workers to the beautiful country.