New Romanian citizenship law: The deadline for processing applications for Romanian citizenship has been extended from 5 months to 2 years

The Romanian state can be sued for delays in processing the citizenship application in Romania

Recently, the Romanian Citizenship Law was amended and the processing time for a citizenship application in Romania is now 2 years. The National Authority for Citizenship (ANC), the institution responsible for managing requests for Romanian citizenship, acquiring Romanian citizenship and reacquiring Romanian citizenship, now has a longer timeframe to resolve cases submitted by foreign citizens. Additionally, according to the new regulations, knowledge of the Romanian language becomes a mandatory condition for acquiring Romanian citizenship and this aspect is rigorously evaluated by the National Authority for Citizenship.

In light of these legislative changes, The Romanian Law Firm Pavel Mărgărit and Associates offers consultancy and representation to those interested in obtaining Romanian citizenship. A citizenship lawyer in Romania can guide you through all stages, from preparing the necessary documents for citizenship application in Romania to checking the status of the file with ANC, as well as in cases of unjustified delays, filing a lawsuit for the delay of the citizenship application in Romania, a situation where the involvement of an immigration lawyer in Romania becomes indispensable.

Before the amendments introduced by Law no. 14/2025 modifying and completing the Romanian Citizenship Law no. 21/1991, the legal deadline for processing a request for granting Romanian citizenship was 5 months. Currently, the standard deadline has been extended to 2 years from the date of registration of the request at the Commission’s technical secretariat, with the possibility of an exceptional extension of up to 6 months in justified cases.

The reason for this change is that the National Authority for Citizenship was unable to process requests within the legally established timeframe, which led to numerous lawsuits against ANC aimed at obliging the authority to process requests for acquiring Romanian citizenship. A citizenship lawyer in Romania and an immigration attorney in Romania can provide specialized legal assistance and representation in litigations against the National Authority for Citizenship when a citizenship application in Romania is not processed within the legal term. Through court representation, they can request that ANC be compelled to process the request, supporting foreign citizens at all stages of the citizenship application in Romania procedure and protecting applicants’ rights against administrative delays.

In addition to legal support, immigration services in Romania are essential for those applying for citizenship in Romania to ensure compliance with all procedural and legal requirements. Those seeking immigration and citizenship in Romania often benefit from professional advice provided by immigration lawyer for citizenship in Romania specialists.

Knowledge of the Romanian language becomes a mandatory condition for obtaining Romanian citizenship

With the amendments to the Romanian Citizenship Law, knowledge of the Romanian language has become a strictly mandatory condition for persons wishing to obtain Romanian citizenship. The applicant must demonstrate sufficient command of the Romanian language to integrate into society and understand the fundamental values of the Romanian state. Within the procedure, language knowledge is verified through an official interview, which assesses not only communication skills but also understanding of Romanian culture, civilization and the Constitution of Romania. Without passing this interview, the citizenship application in Romania cannot be admitted.

Obtaining Romanian citizenship through blood ties: descendants of Romanian citizens have priority in obtaining Romanian citizenship

According to Article 19 paragraph 1 of the Romanian citizenship legislation, a request for granting or reacquiring Romanian citizenship is processed in the order of registration, depending on the legal basis. However, important exceptions exist: files of persons applying for Romanian citizenship under Articles 10 and 11, namely former Romanian citizens and their descendants, have priority in processing. The same applies to files of stateless persons. Additionally, in well-justified cases, other applications can be processed with priority, with the approval of the President of the National Authority for Citizenship. These provisions highlight that descent from Romanian citizens can constitute a major advantage in the process of acquiring birthright citizenship in Romania. For many foreigners, understanding the nuances of birthright citizenship in Romania and how it intersects with immigration and citizenship in Romania is important which is why it is recommended to consult an experienced immigration attorney in Romania and immigration lawyer for citizenship in Romania from The Romanian Law Firm Pavel Margarit and Associates.

Romanian citizenship through long-term residence: those with long-term residence can apply after 8 years for Romanian citizenship

According to the law, Romanian citizenship can be obtained, upon request, by a stateless person or a foreign citizen who has long-term residence or permanent residency rights in Romania and has legally resided in the country for at least 8 years. If the applicant is married to a Romanian citizen and cohabitates with them, the term is reduced to 5 years from the date of marriage. The applicant must be at least 18 years old, have legal means of subsistence, be known for good behavior, and must not have been convicted for acts that make them unworthy of Romanian citizenship. It is mandatory that the applicant be loyal to the Romanian state, have not supported actions against the rule of law or national security, and declare that they have never done so in the past. They must also know the Romanian language, have basic knowledge of Romanian culture and civilization, and be familiar with the Constitution and the national anthem.

“Recent changes regarding the procedure for obtaining Romanian citizenship may generate a wave of appeals and administrative litigations, especially from foreign citizens affected by the new extended deadlines,” said Dr. Radu Pavel, Managing Partner of The Romanian Law Firm Pavel, Mărgărit and Associates.

The recent amendments to the Romanian Citizenship Law introduced significant changes in the procedure for acquiring Romanian citizenship, both regarding the processing time and the conditions imposed on applicants, such as the mandatory knowledge of the Romanian language. Although extending the deadline to 2 years reflects an attempt to adapt the procedure to the administrative realities of the National Authority for Citizenship, this may lead to new waves of litigation by applicants facing unjustified delays. In this context, The Romanian Law Firm Pavel Mărgărit and Associates recommends using the services of a citizenship lawyer in Romania, immigration attorney in Romania, or an immigration lawyer in Romania, both for preparing necessary documents for citizenship application in Romania and for representation before the courts. Those seeking migration services in Romania should rely on experienced professionals like immigration lawyers in Romania and immigration attorneys in Romania to navigate the complex system of applying for citizenship in Romania efficiently.

Pavel, Margarit 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 2024, 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, Margarit 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 recognized by the IFLR 1000 Financial and Corporate 2024 guide. Additionally, Pavel, Margarit 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, Margarit and Associates Law Firm can be found on the website www.avocatpavel.com.