Opening a company in Romania: locals, foreigners, freelancers and digital nomads

At a glance: SRL with RON 500 capital (about 100 euros; RON 5,000 once turnover passes RON 400,000), ONRC registration online in 1 to 3 working days with only publication fees, no notary, corporate tax 16 percent or the 1 percent micro-company regime up to 100,000 euros, VAT from RON 395,000, digital nomad visa at three times the average wage. Legal forms. Sole trader: PFA (authorised natural person), II (individual enterprise) or IF (family enterprise), all at the Trade Register. SRL: minimum capital RON 500 for companies formed from 2026, to be raised to RON 5,000 by the end of the year after turnover exceeds RON 400,000; single-shareholder SRLs allowed. SA: RON 90,000. Registration. ONRC online portal or counter with articles under private signature (no notary; a lawyer's certification is common), proof of the registered office (lease plus co-owners' consent for apartments) and the beneficial-owner declaration. Registration fees were abolished in 2017; only the Official Gazette publication of about RON 120 to 170 remains. Decision in one to three working days, a week to ten days for foreigners with apostilles. Typical total 100 to 400 euros yourself, 1,000 to 2,500 with a lawyer and virtual office. A Romanian payment account must be opened within 60 business days of incorporation (2026 rule), usually with the administrator present. Taxes 2026. Corporate tax 16 percent. Micro-company regime: revenue up to 100,000 euros, 1 percent of revenue, at least one full-time employee, activity restrictions removed. Dividend tax 16 percent (EU parent exemption). VAT 21 percent (11 reduced); registration from RON 395,000 turnover, about 80,000 euros. Personal income tax flat 10 percent. Minimum gross wage RON 4,050, RON 4,325 from July 2026. Freelancers and the self-employed. PFA registered at ONRC with up to five activity codes and three employees. Tax 10 percent on net income under the real system, or on a fixed annual income norm set by county if last year's gross income stayed under 25,000 euros. Health contribution 10 percent on net income, minimum base six minimum wages once income reaches that level, capped at 72 minimum wages; pension contribution 25 percent on 12 or 24 minimum wages depending on income, optional below 12. One annual return by 25 May. Many freelancers compare the PFA with a one-employee micro-SRL. Foreigners. EU/EEA citizens register with the immigration office for stays over three months and trade freely. Non-EU founders: long-stay visa for economic or commercial activity with an investment plan endorsed by the ministry, in practice 100,000 euros invested and ten full-time jobs within a year for an SRL, with the permit extended while at least 50,000 euros and the jobs are maintained (three-year permits from 500,000 euros or 50 jobs). No resident director requirement, 100 percent foreign ownership, Romanian registered office (virtual offices 300 to 600 euros a year); foreign administrators register with the tax authority. Branch of a foreign company. Sucursala registered at ONRC with the parent extract, articles, decision, representative appointment and office proof, published in the Official Gazette; no capital, any nationality for the representative. Taxed as a permanent establishment at 16 percent and cannot use the 1 percent micro regime. A representative office registered with the ministry cannot trade. An SRL subsidiary is preferred, mainly for the micro regime. Digital nomads. Yes, since 2022: the D/DN visa for non-EU remote employees or owners of foreign companies with income of at least three times the Romanian average gross monthly salary over the last six months, roughly RON 28,000 to 29,000 (5,600 to 5,800 euros) a month in 2026, up from the 3,700 euro figure older guides still quote. Visa fee 120 euros, then a 12-month residence permit renewable; family may join; no Romanian-source work; tax residence after 183 days at 10 percent. Changed recently. VAT 21 percent and 11 reduced (August 2025); dividend tax 16 percent (2026); micro threshold cut to 100,000 euros with a single 1 percent rate (2026); SRL capital rules RON 500 / 5,000 (2026); mandatory bank account within 60 days; health-contribution ceiling raised to 72 minimum wages; e-Factura extended to B2C; VAT threshold RON 395,000 (September 2025). Figures checked October 2026 from ONRC, ANAF, the immigration inspectorate and Romanian advisers; amounts change often in Romania. Confirm with a licensed adviser in Romania before you file.