The Romanian Citizenship Law has recently been updated by Law no. 14/2025, which came into force on March 14, 2025. These amendments bring clarifications, but also new challenges for those aspiring to Romanian citizenship, whether through naturalization or by reacquiring it based on Romanian ancestry. Understanding the new requirements is essential for a successful process.
The legislative landscape of Romanian citizenship has undergone a series of significant changes with the entry into force of Law no. 14/2025. This law, which amends Law no. 21/1991, addresses various aspects of the process of acquiring, reacquiring, and losing citizenship, with a direct impact on applicants. From residency conditions to language requirements and the digitalization of procedures, the new regulations necessitate an adaptation of strategies for obtaining a Romanian passport.
Changes for Citizenship by Naturalization (Articles 8 and 8^1)
For individuals wishing to obtain Romanian citizenship through naturalization, according to Article 8, one of the most important clarifications concerns the residency condition. The law now specifies that the applicant must hold a long-term residence right or a permanent residence right in Romania. This clarification aligns citizenship legislation with the regime for foreigners, eliminating previous ambiguities.
The general term of 8 years of legal residence in Romania can be reduced by up to 3 years in certain situations, if the applicant demonstrates active participation in the economic life of Romanian society, relevant educational achievements, or special contributions in the cultural field, human rights promotion, social engagement, or volunteering. These reductions apply to citizens of European Union member states, the European Economic Area, the Swiss Confederation, or individuals born on Romanian territory whose parents were legal residents at the time of birth. It is noteworthy that the option to reduce the term for significant investments has been eliminated.
Article 8^1 introduces a 3-year term for granting citizenship to individuals who have made special contributions to the protection and promotion of Romanian culture, civilization, and spirituality, conditional on meeting other requirements for loyalty, age, and good conduct.
New Requirements for Reacquiring Citizenship and Descendants (Articles 10 and 11)
One of the most discussed changes concerns the requirement for knowledge of the Romanian language for reacquiring citizenship, according to Articles 10 and 11. Law no. 14/2025 now mandates proof of Romanian language proficiency at a minimum B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
This proof can no longer be made simply through familiarity or informally acquired knowledge. It requires the presentation of a linguistic competence certificate issued by one of the following institutions:
- Higher education institutions in Romania accredited for the "Romanian Language Preparatory Year" program.
- The Institute of the Romanian Language (Institutul Limbii Române).
- Romanian cultural institutes abroad.
Alternatively, a legalized copy of the academic transcript proving at least 3 years of Romanian language study at high school or university level in the country of citizenship or residence is accepted.
It is important to note that this requirement applies to all applicants, including descendants of former Romanian citizens, who previously might have had a less rigorous process in this regard. The law does not make specific exceptions for certain historical regions or for families of a certain ethnicity, but applies the general rule. Therefore, even for those with strong roots in Romanian culture, who learn the language out of passion, obtaining an official B1 level certificate is now a mandatory legal condition. The National Authority for Citizenship (ANC) or consulates will require proof of Romanian language knowledge according to legal provisions.
However, there are a few exceptions to this obligation:
- Individuals who were Romanian citizens at some point and are applying to reacquire citizenship.
- Individuals who have reached the age of 65 at the time of application.
For those submitting applications after the law's entry into force, a transitional provision grants a one-year period, until March 14, 2026, for compliance with the new language requirements. This period offers a grace period for obtaining the necessary certificates.
Procedural Novelties: From "Undoubted Files" to Strict Deadlines
Law no. 14/2025 introduces an additional, subjective condition in Article 12: the ANC must have "certainty that all conditions provided by the present law are met, any doubt regarding the fulfillment of any of them leading to the rejection of the application." This provision grants the ANC significant discretionary power, allowing for the rejection of applications even with all documents present, if doubts arise regarding the veracity of the information. Dissatisfied applicants retain the right to challenge the decision in court.
A positive aspect is the introduction of a maximum processing period for citizenship applications of 2 years, according to Article 15. This period can be extended by a maximum of 6 months for additional clarifications. This provision is welcome, given previous delays that could extend to 3-4 years or even more.
Furthermore, Article 16 imposes a new condition for original documents submitted, requiring them to have been issued by the competent authorities no more than 2 years prior to the application date. This requirement may create practical difficulties for applicants from certain countries where obtaining new documents quickly is challenging.
Digitalization of the Process and the Citizenship Card
Law no. 14/2025 also brings a modernization of the process through the introduction of the electronic citizenship file (Article 34^2), which will be operational by June 30, 2026. This system will allow applicants online access to their file status and electronic communication with the ANC, simplifying interaction and increasing transparency.
Another novelty is the replacement of the citizenship certificate with a Romanian citizenship card (Article 20), which will include a high-security storage medium with biometric and personal data. The oath of allegiance will be taken individually, and for those establishing domicile in Romania, it will be done in the country. Minors acquire citizenship simultaneously with their parents and do not take the oath, receiving their own citizenship card.
Strict deadlines have also been established for transcribing civil status documents and obtaining the first Romanian identity document (1 year for residents in Romania, 3 years for those abroad), as well as for taking the oath of allegiance (1 year from the communication of the order).
Conclusion
The amendments to the Romanian Citizenship Law through Law no. 14/2025 represent a significant update, aiming to clarify and streamline the process, while also introducing new requirements. For all applicants, a detailed understanding of these new provisions is essential. Even if the implementation of certain procedural aspects may require time and additional ministerial orders, the spirit of the law is clear: a more rigorous process, with an emphasis on real integration and knowledge of the Romanian language for most categories of applicants. Interested parties are encouraged to consult official sources and seek specialized assistance to navigate the new legal framework successfully.
Keywords: Romanian citizenship law changes 2025, Romanian citizenship naturalization, reacquiring Romanian citizenship language, ANC citizenship conditions, new Romanian passport conditions
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