How to Get Your Registration Certificate (CNP) in Romania as an EU Citizen: Full Guide

If you’re from the EU or EEA and thinking about calling Romania home for more than 90 days – the maximum amount you can stay without extra documents – you’ve probably heard about the famous (or infamous) Registration Certificate, also known as the Certificat de Înregistrare.

This is the golden ticket that gives you a CNP (Cod Numeric Personal) – basically, your unique tax ID, key almost everything official in Romania and the thing you need to be allowed to legally live in the country for up to 5 years.

Best part? It’s easy to get it and you don’t necessarily need to be employed here to get one – a (small) proof of funds is enough!

So today, I’ll walk you through every step, every document, every possible “what if,” and I’ll share all the little details that you wish someone had told you before.

Note: If you are a non-EU citizen, you will need a residence permit instead. Make sure to read that guide instead if that’s your case, and also check out the requirements for the Digital Nomad visa which makes it easier for you to live in Romania mid to long(er) term.

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Getting your Romanian CNP Quick Checklist of What You’ll Need

Before we get into all the details, he’s a quick overview of the steps you must follow to get your registration certificate:

• Be physically present in Romania.
• Book your appointment (online, ideally).
• Gather your documents (ID, proof of address, funds, health insurance if needed).
• Go to the local Immigration Office.
• Leave with your CNP and Registration Certificate within an hour (sometimes, if busy, it can take longer).

Now, let’s get more in-depth with the process:

How to get your Romanian CNP & Registration Certificate

Things are really simple here, fortunately. Here are the detailed steps you need to follow to get your Romanian registration certificate:

1. First, you need to be in the country before applying. You must submit your application at least 30 days before your right to stay as a tourist expires (so after about 60 days in Romania, but don’t leave it until the last minute).

2. Book Your Appointment: You can (and should) book your appointment online via the official site here. The website has an English version too: click the cogwheel on the website, then click “Selectati limba” and choose English.

This is where most of your application will happen, as you will have to upload documents (see below) here.

3. Gather your documents based on your situation: you can register as an employee, volunteer, commercial activities, study, self-sufficient person, or for family reunification.

You can check out the actual requirements for each situation (they vary slightly from case to case) on this page here, under point 2 – 1 (you can also switch to the English version of the website, as instructed above).

Normally, here is what you need for your application (you will upload all documents through the portal):

• Valid ID or Passport (original and photocopy)

• Proof of Address in Romania – your rental contract, a notarized invitation from a friend offering accommodation, or a property deed. In some cases, a hotel confirmation for long stays might work, but the other ways are better.

Airbnb/short-term rentals can be tricky; some offices accept them, others don’t.

• Completed Application Form: This will be generated by the online portal.

• Proof of Funds (if applying as “self-sufficient”): A pension slip (no older than 3 months), a bank statement or equivalent documents proving that you have enough money to support your stay, tax certificate from your home country, or for students, a simple declaration of funds.

• Health Insurance proof: Required for the self-sufficient route and it’s usually a private health insurance proof. You can also use a certificate issued by the National Health Insurance House (C.N.A.S.) or an European Health Insurance Card, form (code E106 or E121). Travel insurance is not accepted.

• Work Contract / Study Enrollment (if applying as employee or student)

• Translations: Non-Romanian documents may need official translation, so ask your local office if in doubt.

What does “sufficient funds” or “self sufficient” mean in Romania?

As salaries in Romania have grown a lot over the years, so have the requirements for self-sufficiency, even though for a while they were kept at 2001-levels. Now, they’re updated to the current minimum salary in the country (see the updated values here).

Basically, you must earn at least the minimum salary amount each month (currently at 4050 lei or around 800 Euros). This is the gross salary in Romania, not the take-home pay, but this is what the authorities require – and it’s a good thing, because you can’t live on less here anymore.

For a bank statement (or anything similar), a proof of around 10,000 Euros saved is usually enough to get a year-long permit, but the more, the better.

Important: You don’t need both! So if you have a pension, for example, of 800 Euros per month or more, you don’t need to show proof of savings. Also, if you have the savings, you don’t need a monthly pension/income.

You are also responsible for providing proof of financial support for your family members, except when they are employed or self-employed in Romania and are therefore able to support themselves.

How Long Is the Registration Certificate Valid?

Usually, you’ll get between 1 and 5 years. The time you get is not set in stone and usually depends on your reason for staying and also the office’s discretion/mood that day.

You can always renew it before expiration, taking the same steps as above.

the exact period depends on your reason for staying and the office’s discretion. It can always be renewed before expiration, following the same steps.

Conclusion

All in all, if you’re an EU citizen and you want to get a registration certificate in Romania for stays longer than 3 months, things couldn’t be easier.

If you still have questions – or experiences to share about getting your Romanian CNP – let me know in the comments down below.