Avocat Ramona Pavel

Article 8 Foreigners and stateless persons residing in Romania

Our law office offers specialized assistance by: making appointments for submitting the file, assisting clients in filing the file, collaborating with notary and translation offices, obtaining duplicates of civil status documents issued by the Romanian State throughout the national territory, representation before the General Inspectorate for Immigration and wherever necessary in order to obtain all the documents required for a complete file.

In accordance with Article 8 of the Romanian Citizenship Law, applicants must fulfill certain conditions, the process being subject to rigorous procedures, the most important of which is domicile or residence in Romania. According to the law, petitioners must have a certain number of years of legal residence in Romania, know the Romanian language, Romanian culture and society.

Another condition to be fulfilled is the absence of any serious offenses on the applicant’s criminal record and compliance with the Romanian rules in force.

The process of acquiring Romanian citizenship under Article 8 of the Romanian Citizenship Law may involve a number of administrative steps and formalities, and the Romanian authorities may request additional checks on the applicant.

Romanian citizenship may be granted, on the basis of Article 8 of the Romanian Citizenship Law, to a foreign citizen or a stateless person if it fulfills the following conditions:

• was born and resides on the date of application in Romania or, even if was not born in Romania, has resided here for at least 8 years or is married and cohabits with a Romanian citizen, for at least 5 years from the date of marriage;
• proves by moral, actions and attitude loyalty to the Romanian State, does not undertake and does not support actions against the rule of law and national security;
• has reached the age of 18;
• has legal means for a decent existence in Romania;
• is known to be of good moral and has no convictions (in Romania or abroad) for an offense that makes him unworthy to be a Romanian citizen;
• knows the Romanian language and elementary notions of Romanian culture and civilization;
• knows the Romanian Constitution and the national anthem.

The terms provided for above (8 years, respectively 5 years for persons married to Romanian citizens) may be reduced by up to half if:

• the petitioner is an internationally known personality;
• the petitioner has acquired refugee status;
• the petitioner is a citizen of a state of the European Union;
• the petitioner has invested in Romania amounts exceeding 1 million euro.

Article 8.1 Protection and promotion of Romanian culture, civilization and spirituality

Our law office offers specialized assistance by: making appointments for submitting the file, assisting clients in filing the file, collaborating with notary and translation offices, obtaining duplicates of civil status documents issued by the Romanian State throughout the national territory, representation before the General Inspectorate for Immigration and wherever necessary in order to obtain all the documents required for a complete file.

Romanian citizenship may be granted, upon request, to the stateless person or foreign citizen who presents evidence that has contributed significantly to the promotion and protection of Romanian culture, civilization and spirituality, provided that already meets the conditions set out in Article 8 paragraph 1 letter b), c) and e) of the Romanian Citizenship Law. It has the possibility to choose whether to establish domicile (in Romania or abroad).

Art. 8.2 Promoting the image of Romania through outstanding sports performances

Our law office offers specialized assistance by: making appointments for submitting the file, assisting clients in filing the file, collaborating with notary and translation offices, obtaining duplicates of civil status documents issued by the Romanian State throughout the national territory, representation before the General Inspectorate for Immigration and wherever necessary in order to obtain all the documents required for a complete file.

The stateless person or foreign citizen who can significantly contribute to the promotion of Romania’s image through outstanding sports performances may apply for Romanian citizenship, with the establishment of residence in the country or abroad, if is going to represent Romania in the national teams and if fulfills the conditions stipulated in Art. 8 paragraph 1 letter b), c) and e) of the Romanian Citizenship Law.