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My Descent Passport
Romania · Up to great-grandparents

Romanian citizenship by descent

If a parent was Romanian when you were born, you’re Romanian. And if a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent lost Romanian citizenship for reasons not of their own making, for example when borders moved in 1940, you can apply to reacquire it, keeping your other citizenship. Since March 2025, most descendants need to show Romanian at B1 level, and waits can be long.

Last checked against Romanian reporting on Law 14/2025 and published guides to the Romanian citizenship law.

Latest change · Romania brings back a language requirement

How far back
A parent at birth. Children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of people who lost Romanian citizenship for reasons not of their own making.
Keep your current passport?
Yes. Romania allows dual citizenship.
Language test
Yes, for most descendants: B1 Romanian since March 2025.

Do I qualify? All quick facts

Quick check: could you be Romanian?

Who in your family was Romanian? Pick one and answer a few yes-or-no questions.

A parentA grandparentA great-grandparentFurther back

Who qualifies

  • Likely RomanianA parent who was Romanian when you were bornRegister your birth with Romania and apply for a passport.
  • Can applyA parent, grandparent or great-grandparent who lost Romanian citizenship involuntarilyUnder article 11 of the citizenship law. You need B1 Romanian unless you’re exempt.
  • Usually notAncestors who left voluntarily and gave up citizenship, or ancestors further backAncestry from land that was once Romanian isn’t enough on its own.

The B1 language rule

Law 14/2025, in force since March 15, 2025, brought back a requirement to know Romanian at B1 level, which had been dropped in 2009. You show it with a certificate from an accredited institution, or proof of at least three years’ study in Romanian. Published guides say former citizens themselves and applicants aged 65 or over are exempt. The same law allows up to two years for a decision, and there are long backlogs.

The law also has a transitional rule on when you can hand in the language certificate. In March 2026, Emergency Ordinance 16/2026 changed that rule, and news reports say the deadline is now March 15, 2027. Check with the National Authority for Citizenship before you apply.

How to apply

  1. Prove the line to your Romanian ancestorBirth and marriage certificates for each generation, and proof of how they lost citizenship.
  2. Get your B1 Romanian certificateUnless you’re exempt.
  3. Apply to the National Authority for CitizenshipIn person in Bucharest, or through a Romanian embassy or consulate where you live.
  4. Take the oathWithin six months of approval. Then register your birth in Romania and apply for a passport.

Documents

  • Your passport
  • Criminal record certificate from your home country
  • Birth, marriage and death certificates for each generation back to your Romanian ancestor
  • Proof your ancestor was Romanian and how they lost citizenship
  • B1 Romanian language certificate, unless exempt
  • Apostilles and legalized Romanian translations

For UK, Irish and US certificates, see where to order certificates.

Common questions

Can I keep my other passport?

Yes. Romania allows dual citizenship.

Do I need to speak Romanian?

Since March 2025, most descendants need B1 Romanian, shown by a certificate or three years’ study in Romanian.

Do ancestors from Bessarabia count?

Possibly, if they were Romanian citizens who lost citizenship when borders changed. Having roots in land that was once Romanian isn’t enough on its own.

How long does it take?

The law allows up to two years, and some applicants have waited much longer.

What a Romanian passport gives you

The right to live, work, study and retire across all 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. See what an EU passport lets you do.

Living there

A Romanian passport lets you live and work in any EU country, and in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Time difference Local time in Bucharest
LanguagesRomanian
CurrencyRomanian leu (lei)

Not eligible? The long way round

If descent doesn’t work for you, you can still become a citizen by living in Romania and applying to naturalize. It takes longer, but it’s open to anyone who meets the conditions.

A shortcut for people with Romanian roots

Children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of people who lost Romanian citizenship for reasons not of their own making have their own route. See the guide above.

Time living there first
8 years’ legal residence, or 5 if you’ve been married to a Romanian for 5 years.
Language and tests
An interview on Romanian language, history, geography, culture and the constitution.
Keep your current passport?
Yes. Romania allows dual citizenship.
Main ways to get residence
Work, family, study and the digital nomad visa.

Already have, or able to get, a passport from an EU country through another family line? Then you can live and work in Romania without a visa. See what an EU passport lets you do.

General information, not immigration advice. Residence rules change often, so check the official source before you plan a move. Sources: Asylum Information Database: naturalisation in Romania (secondary source).

Many families have more than one line. If a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent came from somewhere else, check that country too. The family tree worksheet helps you map every line.

Next stepCheck if you qualify

Do I qualify?
Sources

A plain-English guide, not a legal opinion. Nationality laws can be amended at short notice, so confirm the details with the consulate or the official body before you send an application or pay anything. The full disclaimer.

Cousins and siblings may qualify as well

One ancestor can open the same door for a whole branch of the family, and you can split the cost of the certificates. Send them this page while it’s fresh in your mind.

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