Legal analysis. The conditions for obtaining Romanian citizenship have been tightened (statistics)

Additional conditions for obtaining Romanian citizenship

The process of obtaining Romanian citizenship has undergone significant changes in recent years, and statistical data clearly reflects this trend. Between 2018 and 2024, the number of Romanian citizenship application files fluctuated, with a steady increase during 2018-2019, but also a sharp decrease in approval rates in the following years. For example, in 2018, there were 93,787 applications, of which 88% were approved and 12% remained pending. In contrast, in 2023, only 0.37% of the 38,981 files were approved, the rest still being under evaluation.
During the pandemic years (2020-2021), the number of applications dropped significantly due to the impact of social distancing and related restrictions. Thus, in 2020 only 20,871 files were submitted, and in 2021 this number slightly increased to 38,707. Nevertheless, the approval rate remained low.
In 2024, 50,350 requests were submitted, but none were approved by the end of the year. The situation remained unchanged through March 2025, with 3,976 files currently submitted and none approved by the National Authority for Citizenship (ANC).
This trend of increasing pending files and decreasing approval rates in Romania is directly influenced by recent legislative changes, which have introduced stricter conditions for obtaining Romanian citizenship.

With the new legal provisions in place, the process of obtaining Romanian citizenship has become more rigorous, requiring applicants to meet new conditions for Romanian citizenship compared to previous years. One of the most important changes concerns Romanian language proficiency, which has now become a mandatory requirement for all applicants seeking to acquire Romanian citizenship by naturalisation in Romania or reacquisition of Romanian citizenship. Law no. 21/1991 on Romanian citizenship, particularly Articles 10 and 11, clearly stipulates that the applicant must demonstrate a certain level of competence in the Romanian language by presenting a language proficiency certificate issued by higher education institutions in Romania or other accredited institutions.

In this context, an immigration lawyer in Romania plays a crucial role in the citizenship application in Romania process, providing lawyer advice in Romania and support throughout all phases. The Romanian law firm Pavel, Mărgărit & Associates provides specialized immigration services in Romania and legal assistance in the process of obtaining Romanian citizenship and representation before the National Authority for Citizenship or the Immigration Office. A Romanian citizenship lawyer ensures that every legal requirement, such as proof of Romanian language knowledge or other necessary conditions for Romanian citizenship, is fulfilled correctly and efficiently, minimizing both administrative and legal risks.

Citizenship Attorney in Romania– Obtaining Citizenship by Birth

The simplest way to obtain Romanian citizenship is by birth, for persons born on Romanian territory or whose parents are Romanian citizens. According to the law, individuals born on Romanian soil automatically acquire Romanian citizenship, except in certain special cases regulated by law. Similarly, those born outside Romania to Romanian parents have the right to acquire Romanian citizenship by birth, without needing to file a full citizenship application in Romania or meet any linguistic competence requirements. This is a much simpler and quicker process than naturalisation in Romania or reacquisition of Romanian citizenship, which impose significantly stricter conditions for obtaining Romanian citizenship.

Romanian Citizenship Lawyer – Obtaining Citizenship by Naturalisation in Romania

Naturalisation in Romania is the legal method by which foreign nationals can obtain Romanian citizenship, provided they fulfill the conditions imposed by the Romanian state. These conditions include legal residency in Romania for at least 8 years (or 5 years if married to a Romanian citizen), proof of Romanian language proficiency through certification (at least B1 level), and the applicant’s social and cultural integration. These requirements must be demonstrated through supporting documents such as employment proof, proof of social integration, and good legal conduct.

Applicants must prove they are capable of actively participating in Romanian social and cultural life. At the time of citizenship application in Romania file submission, they must include identity documents, proof of residency in Romania, a Romanian language certificate, and other relevant paperwork. Due to the lengthy duration of the procedure, the need for lawyer advice in Romania is essential to help navigate the complex regulations and the new conditions for obtaining Romanian citizenship.

Immigration Attorney in Romania – Obtaining Citizenship by Reacquisition

In cases of reacquisition of Romanian citizenship, individuals who previously held Romanian citizenship but lost it due to emigration or voluntary renunciation may submit a request to the National Authority for Citizenship. The loss of citizenship often stems from prior laws or personal decisions, and loss of citizenship must be reviewed before reinstatement. The reacquisition of Romanian citizenship follows an administrative procedure whereby the applicant can regain citizenship status, provided certain conditions for obtaining Romanian citizenship are met. These include residency in Romania, background checks on the reason citizenship was lost, and proof of Romanian language proficiency.

Foreign citizens applying for reacquisition of Romanian citizenship must submit a complete file, similar to the naturalisation in Romania process. A Romanian citizenship lawyer can be of great help in preparing and submitting the necessary documents. An immigration attorney in Romania provides full assistance in the citizenship application in Romania process, guiding clients through all stages, especially with the new conditions for obtaining Romanian citizenship and other legal requirements enforced by the Romanian authorities.
A naturalization lawyer in Romania works closely with the Immigration Office in Romania and other relevant institutions to ensure the documentation is accurate and complete, making the process as efficient as possible and protecting the applicant’s interests.

“Obtaining Romanian citizenship is no longer a simple formality. The new requirements demand a careful and well-documented approach. The support of a specialized immigration lawyer consultation in Romania is not just an advantage, but a real necessity for those seeking to obtain Romanian citizenship.”
— Dr. Radu Pavel, Managing Partner of Pavel, Mărgărit & Associates Romanian Law Firm

In conclusion, the procedure of obtaining Romanian citizenship has become significantly more demanding due to the new legal requirements, focusing primarily on the real integration of applicants into Romanian society. Therefore, requesting immigration lawyer consultation in Romania or professional assistance from a citizenship attorney in Romania or naturalization lawyer in Romania is highly recommended.
Legal support through experienced immigration services in Romania, offered by a dedicated immigration attorney in Romania, ensures that clients receive accurate lawyer advice in Romania tailored to their specific case, especially in the context of residency application in Romania or after loss of citizenship.

The Romanian Law Firm Pavel Mărgărit and Associates provides specialized immigration services in Romania at every stage, from risk analysis and tax compliance to the drafting and submission of administrative complaints and representation in court. With a team of Romanian citizenship lawyers in Romania and naturalization lawyers in Romania, we ensure the protection of our clients’ interests by reducing financial risks and maintaining legal stability in the context of increasingly complex regulations.

Pavel, Mărgărit 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 2025, 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, Mărgărit 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 2025 guide. Additionally, Pavel, Mărgărit 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, Mărgărit and Associates Law Firm can be found on the website www.avocatpavel.com.