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How to start a business in Romania as a foreigner (2026)

Starting a business in Romania as a foreigner: easy.

Romania permits 100% foreign ownership of companies with no nationality or residency restrictions on shareholders or directors. The most common vehicle is the SRL (societate cu răspundere limitată), which since 1 January 2026 requires a minimum share capital of RON 500 (~€100) under Law 239/2025. Registration is handled by ONRC and can be completed online, by email, or in person, typically within 5-10 working days.

Last verified Official sources first · MethodologyCompare Romania with other countries

Legal framework

Law 31/1990 on Companies (as amended), Law 239/2025 (in force 18 Dec 2025); registration authority: Oficiul Național al Registrului Comerțului (ONRC)

Key points: starting a business in Romania

  1. Foreign ownership

    There are no foreign-ownership limits: an SRL may be 100% owned by a foreign natural person or legal entity, with up to 50 shareholders permitted. No residency requirement applies to shareholders or administrators.

    onrc.ro e-justice.europa.eu

  2. Minimum share capital (2026)

    Law 239/2025 (Official Gazette no. 1160/15 Dec 2025) set a new minimum share capital of RON 500 (~€100) for SRLs incorporated from 1 January 2026. Existing SRLs with net turnover above RON 400,000 must increase capital to RON 5,000 within two years (by 18 December 2027). Bearer shares are prohibited.

    pwc.ro klealegal.com eurofast.eu

  3. Registration steps

    Steps include: (1) reserve a company name via ONRC portal; (2) prepare Articles of Incorporation (notarised); (3) provide proof of Romanian registered address; (4) submit shareholders'/directors' passports (apostilled if from non-EU country) with certified translation; (5) file self-declaration of no fiscal debts in country of residence (non-residents); (6) submit full dossier to ONRC online, by email, or in person at the competent county office.

    onrc.ro myportal.onrc.ro bmalegal.ro

  4. Timeline and filing options

    Registration typically takes 5-10 working days from submission of a complete dossier. ONRC accepts filings online via the MyPortal (qualified electronic signature required for the online route), by email, or in person at the 42 county Trade Registry offices.

    myportal.onrc.ro onrc.ro

  5. Registered address requirement

    Every Romanian company must maintain a registered address in Romania where official correspondence is received. A virtual office arrangement is legally permissible to satisfy this requirement.

    bmalegal.ro accace.com

  6. Post-incorporation bank account obligation

    Under Law 239/2025, all newly incorporated legal entities must open and maintain at least one Romanian bank or treasury account within 60 working days of incorporation. Failure to do so can trigger fiscal-inactivity status.

    pwc.ro cms-lawnow.com

Sources

  1. onrc.ro/index.php/en/
  2. myportal.onrc.ro/
  3. pwc.ro/en/tax-legal/alerts/Fiscal-Package-2-Law-no-239-2025.html
  4. cms-lawnow.com/en/ealerts/2026/01/romania-introduces-key-legal-changes-affecting-cor
  5. klealegal.com/newsroom/romania-srl-capital-requirements-2026
  6. eurofast.eu/new-rules-on-share-capital-for-romanian-srls-a-guide-for-entrepreneur
  7. e-justice.europa.eu/topics/registers-business-insolvency-land/business-registers-eu-count
  8. bmalegal.ro/company-registration-in-romania-for-non-residents/
  9. wolftheiss.com/insights/new-legislation-with-impact-on-corporate-ma-matters-in-roman
  10. myportal.onrc.ro/guide
  11. accace.com/company-formation-in-romania/

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Orientation, not legal advice: verify against the primary sources linked above. Last verified 24 May 2026. Methodology & how to cite · State of Technology Regulation 2026