This information is for orientation only. Always confirm with the competent Romanian embassy/consulate or IGI before you travel or submit applications.

Bureaucracy roadmap

Before travel → Entry → Within 30 days of visa → Every year (renewal) → After graduation

Romania joined Schengen land border checks on 1 January 2025, but a Romanian long-stay (type D) visa lets you enter and stay in Romania — it does not automatically replace a work or residence title in other Schengen states. Source: studyinromania.gov.ro — Visa (2025).

Student checklist — where are you now?

  • Before the visa (non-EU): Ministry of Education acceptance letter, tuition paid for ≥ 1 year, proof of funds (minimum wage × months on visa), insurance, temporary housing, apostilled criminal record.
  • Within 7 days of arrival: SIM or Wi‑Fi, cash/RON, international office contact, digital copies of every document.
  • Within 30 days of type D visa: IGI residence permit application (do not wait until the last week); register address at the primărie after signing a lease.
  • Every academic year: renew permit ≥ 30 days early; certificate of attendance; tuition fees up to date.
  • Before part-time work: permit showing drept de muncă + CIM contract — see the Work guide.
  • Before graduation: confirm diploma dates with your university; consider the 9-month IGI job-search extension.

Erasmus+ and short exchanges (≤ 90 days)

  • EU students on Erasmus: usually a C/ZA visa or entry with EU ID — not the full D/SD path if stay in Romania is ≤ 90 days in 180 (confirm with your international office and Study in Romania).
  • Bring: learning agreement, mobility insurance, housing proof, passport/ID copy.
  • If you stay longer than 90 days total in Romania: switch to the EU long-stay route (IGI + CNP).

Scholarship students and fee waivers

  • Romanian government scholarship: living-cost proof for the visa may differ — use the official programme letter.
  • Tuition paid by the university: keep receipts showing amount and academic year for IGI renewals.
  • Changing university or programme: notify IGI within 30 days and update Ministry paperwork if required.

Permit types relevant to students

StatusWhoTypical duration
Long-stay visa D/SD (studies)Non-EU, course > 90 days90 days to enter; then residence permit
Residence permit for studiesNon-EU after entryUsually 1 year, renewable for the whole programme
Short-stay visa C/ZAErasmus+ exchanges ≤ 90 days in 180Short Schengen stay only
Registration certificate / residence cardEU/EEA/Swiss > 3 monthsUp to 5 years (EU certificate)
Post-graduation extensionFormer non-EU studentsUp to 9 months for job search (IGI conditions)

Last updated: May 2026 — IGI — Studies

EU / EEA / Switzerland

  1. Admission — Enrol at an accredited university; keep your acceptance letter.
  2. Travel — Valid ID card or passport; for stays up to 90 days you often do not need a visa.
  3. Registration over 3 months — At the territorial IGI office in your county: registration certificate or residence card and assignment of your CNP (personal numeric code).
  4. Address — After signing a lease, register your residence at the primărie (local town hall — evidența persoanelor).
  5. Health — EHIC/TEAM for initial emergencies; for long stays, consider CNAS enrolment (see Health guide).

Last updated: May 2026 — Study in Romania — Residence

Non-EU — Type D/SD study visa

Steps

  1. University admission — The university sends your file to the Ministry of Education; you receive the acceptance letter needed for the visa.
  2. Proof of funds — At least the national gross minimum wage for each month stated on the visa (see table below). State scholarships or international programmes may waive part of this — check your case.
  3. Tuition — Receipt for payment of fees for at least one academic year.
  4. e-VISA application — Upload documents on evisa.mae.ro; then embassy/consulate appointment for originals and biometrics.
  5. Visa fee — 120 EUR (paid in the state where you apply).
  6. Entry — Type D visa valid 90 days (single or multiple entry).
  7. Residence permit — Apply at IGI at least 30 days before the visa expires, in person or via Portal IGI.

Documents (consulate / MFA checklist)

  • Valid passport (often ≥ 6 months beyond stay — confirm with the post).
  • Ministry of Education letter (full-time course at accredited institution).
  • Proof of tuition payment (≥ 1 year).
  • Proof of means of subsistence (minimum wage × visa period).
  • Accommodation (lease or university / cămin letter).
  • Medical insurance valid for the visa period (often coverage ≥ 30,000 EUR — confirm consular requirement).
  • Criminal record (apostille/legalisation from country of origin).
  • Medical certificate.
  • Parental consent if under 18.

Fees and timelines (indicative)

ItemAmount (2026)Note
Long-stay study visa fee120 EURPaid at consulate/embassy
Proof of funds (monthly)4,050 RON (Jan–Jun 2026)
4,325 RON (from Jul 2026)		= gross minimum wage; for full duration on visa
Type D visa — initial stay90 daysThen IGI permit required
Permit application≥ 30 days before visa expiryPortal IGI or territorial office
Permit fee (indicative)approx. 120 EUR + local taxes (universities often cite approx. 300 RON)Varies by county; keep receipts

Last updated: May 2026 — IGI — Long-stay visa for studies; minimum wage: HG 146/2026 (PDF)

After entry: permit and CNP

  1. IGI appointment — Book early on the county portal (long queues in peak season).
  2. Documents — Passport, visa, university enrolment, insurance, housing, proof of funds, photos, fees.
  3. Collect permit — Usually within about 30 days of a complete application (IGI may extend if checks are needed).
  4. CNP — Assigned with registration; required for bank, utilities, ANAF.
  5. Primărie — Register your address (reședință) with your lease.

Renewal, status change, and expiry

  1. Annual renewal — Proof of attendance, paid tuition, housing, insurance, means of subsistence.
  2. Change of course/university — Notify IGI within 30 days of any relevant change (enrolment, work).
  3. After graduation — Possible extension up to 9 months for job search after completing your degree — check current IGI requirements.
  4. Other visa types — Switching to employment usually requires a new procedure and often exit/re-entry; do not improvise.
If your visa or permit expires
  • During the 90-day D visa: without a timely permit application you lose lawful stay.
  • With a pending application receipt: ask IGI whether the receipt covers you — do not assume.
  • Overstay: administrative penalties, possible re-entry ban; for urgent cases contact an immigration lawyer.
  • Emergency: 112 (does not fix immigration status, but medical/police emergencies).

Last updated: May 2026 — IGI — Studies

University life

  • System: Bachelor, master’s, doctorate; many programmes in Romanian, growing offer in English (medicine, engineering, IT) — check university calls for applications.
  • Credits: ECTS-aligned; typically 60 ECTS/year.
  • Recognition of foreign degrees: CNRED (National Centre for Diploma Recognition).
  • Admissions: Ministry of Education + Study in Romania; each university has its own deadlines.
  • Calendar: Academic year usually October–June/July (confirm on your university site).
  • Student card: Local transport discounts, canteens, library — collect at the student office.
  • Scholarships: Romanian government and university grants — calls on studyinromania.gov.ro.

Last updated: May 2026 — Ministry of Education

Next step: open the Housing guide from the country menu for leases, deposits, and scams to avoid.

Documents

Apostilled translations for some offices - ask for a list of universities.

Quick reference

EU: identity card, university registration, CNP optional but useful. Non-EU: permit before 90 days or regularization - check embassy.

  • EU: freedom of movement
  • Non-EU: visa/study permit
  • CNP da Direcția de Evidență a Persoanelor
  • Part-time job with contract and CAS

Universities and pathways

National rule

Low taxes, popular medicine and IT. Programs in English in Cluj-Bucharest. NARIC Romania for equivalences.

Bags

Ministry and university scholarships. Limited student accommodation.

  • CNP
  • EURASIA

First documents

  • Passport/EU ID
  • Permitted if non-EU
  • Rental contract
  • Registration certificate
  • IBAN

Registration and permit

CNP and residence

Varies by city or federal state Moderate

Municipality with contract. It is used for many local services.

Residence permit

National rule Harder

Immigration Office — appointments. University often assists non-EU students.

Deep dive (optional)

Go deeper

Operational detail and official links—amounts and deadlines change; always confirm on the competent portal before filing or paying.

Digital identity & tax access

CNP & ID card

The CNP is your personal numeric code; the national ID card is used across banking, housing, and healthcare.

ANAF Virtual Private Space (SPV)

Secure mailbox for tax notices and filings; access typically requires a qualified digital certificate or other ANAF-approved methods.

ROeID / eGov

National digital ID rollout—check official eligibility and supported services.

Income tax, social contributions, business

Unique declaration

Self-employed income often uses the Unique Declaration—verify deadlines each year.

PFA / micro-company

Authorised individuals (PFA) and SRL micro-regimes have different social contributions and caps.

Residence registration

City hall (population records)

Register your address after moving; bring lease, ID, and residence permit if required.

Foreign ministry

Consular services for Romanian citizens abroad.

Study

University admissions and diploma recognition (e.g. CNRED where applicable).

Residence permits (non-EU)

Applications and renewals via the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI).

Note

This block complements the guide with institutional entry points—not legal or tax advice.

Trusted sources we used for this content

Romanian and EU public sources: Eurostat, Government portal, ANAF (tax), CNAS (health insurance), and the Interior Ministry. Confirm requirements on the official portal.