EU citizenship through Romania in 2026: what has changed and why you can no longer put it off

In March 2025, amendments to the citizenship law came into force in Romania. The new law revised the key rules on filing, processing times and document requirements. For those considering getting a European Union passport through Romania, this means one thing: the conditions have already changed — and will keep changing. In this article we look at what exactly has changed, how it affects applicants and why the decision to file can no longer be put off. The situation today: citizenship is still available Despite the changes, getting EU citizenship through Romania in 2026 is still possible. However, it is important to understand the context: document requirements have become stricter the procedure has become more formalized new mandatory stages have been added deadlines and proper preparation matter more In simple terms, the mechanism itself remains, but the "safety margin" for mistakes has practically disappeared. If in the past you could allow inaccuracies and fix them along the way, today such mistakes lead to delays of months or even years. Law 14/2025: the key changes On March 15, 2025, Law 14/2025 came into force, updating Law 21/1991 on Romanian citizenship. The changes affected practically every stage of the process. A limit on document validity One of the most noticeable innovations is the "two-year" rule. Civil status documents (birth, marriage and death certificates) must now have been issued no earlier than two years before filing. If a document is older, it is not accepted. What counts is the date the document was issued, not the date of the apostille or translation. In practice, this means that many files collected earlier need a complete update. And that means: requesting the documents from the archives again a new apostille new translations and certifications On average this takes two to four months. Mandatory knowledge of Romanian Most applicants now have to prove knowledge of Romanian at B1 level. This is not a formality but a full-fledged exam that tests: listening comprehension the ability to hold a conversation basic literacy Preparation takes three to six months. Exemptions exist, but they are limited: minors applicants over 65 certain cases of direct-line descent Retroactive application of the law The most sensitive change is that the new rules apply to cases already filed. If an application was filed before the law came into force but has not yet been decided, it still falls under the new requirements. This means that thousands of applicants who filed in 2021–2024 effectively found themselves under new conditions after they had already filed. Additional changes: biometrics With the new rules, a biometrics procedure has become mandatory. Every applicant must now be present in person when the documents are filed. Required: fingerprinting (for everyone over 14) a photograph This rules out filing entirely through a representative and requires at least one trip to Romania. Processing times: what you need to know The law sets specific time limits for examining applications: up to 2 years — the standard time limit up to 2.5 years — with a possible extension The clock starts from the moment the application is registered (when the DOSAR number is received). If the time limit is exceeded, this is considered a violation. What to do if your case is not moving If your case has been under examination for more than two years and you have not received a decision, you have a legal means of protection. This means applying to the administrative court. The ground is the state body's failure to meet the time limits. The court examines the case and, if the violation is confirmed, orders the competent body to take a decision within a set time. In practice, such cases are examined fairly quickly, and the decisions are carried out within a few months. What comes next: the changes continue The reform of Romania's citizenship system is not over. In the coming years the following are expected: digitalization of filing and case processing changes to the internal procedure for handling applications possible amendments to the law In addition, questions related to the application of the new rules are being examined at the level of European courts. This means that the level of uncertainty may only grow in the future. In practice: what the process looks like today In practice, getting citizenship today is a sequential and strictly structured process: Analysis of the grounds Collecting and checking documents Preparing for the language exam Filing with biometrics Waiting for the examination Receiving the order and taking the oath With proper organization, the stages can run in parallel, which significantly shortens the overall time. On average, the whole process takes two to three years. Why time has become the decisive factor The main change of recent years is not only the new requirements but the speed at which they are introduced. If in the past the process could be put off without significant consequences, today delay leads to: more complex requirements longer timeframes additional costs for updating documents the risk of conditions changing after the process has already started This is especially critical for families with children approaching adulthood. Conclusion EU citizenship through Romania remains an accessible tool for those who have the grounds. But the conditions for getting it are becoming stricter and more demanding. The process requires: precision an understanding of the law meeting deadlines the right strategy In the current conditions, the main resource is time. Those who start the process now work within clear rules. Those who put it off risk facing new restrictions.