Company formation in Romania

At a glance

Entity

Societate cu răspundere limitată (SRL) — private limited liability company; the default vehicle for foreign founders, single-member permitted.

Corporate tax

16% standard corporate income tax (as of 2026). Most small SRLs elect the micro-enterprise regime: 1% on revenue, but only if annual turnover is under EUR 100,000 (cut from EUR 250,000) and the company has at least one employee; banking, insurance, gambling and oil/gas activities are excluded. Dividend tax rose to 16% from 1 Jan 2026.

Incorporation time

~3-7 business days at ONRC once a complete file is filed; allow 3-4 weeks total for non-EU founders due to apostille/legalisation and sworn-translation lead time.

Minimum capital

RON 500 minimum for new SRLs (from 1 Jan 2026). If net turnover exceeds RON 400,000, capital must be raised to at least RON 5,000 (existing companies have until ~1 Jan 2028 to comply).

Resident director

No residency requirement. The administrator (director) and shareholders may be of any nationality or residence; non-EU founders are permitted. A Romanian registered office address is required.

Audit

Statutory audit is triggered only if the SRL exceeds two of three thresholds for two consecutive years: total assets ~RON 16,000,000, net turnover ~RON 32,000,000, and 50 average employees. The overwhelming majority of foreign-owned SRLs fall below this and are exempt.

Remote set-up

Yes — formation can be done fully remotely via a notarised, apostilled (or consular-legalised) power of attorney to a local representative. Foreign corporate/ID documents need apostille or consular legalisation, sworn Romanian translation, and Romanian notarisation. Director specimen signature and KYC apply.

Government fee

Historically the ONRC incorporation registration fee was abolished (registration has been effectively free since 2017). Romania's 2026 fiscal package proposes reintroducing charges — roughly RON 200 for registration plus ~RON 20 for name reservation; confirm the current ONRC tariff at filing as this was in flux for 2026.

Best for

This suits founders who want a low-cost EU company with real substance potential and a 1% turnover tax on small revenue. It works best for those able to hire at least one local employee and maintain a genuine Romanian presence.

The process

1. Reserve the company name and verify availability with ONRC (Trade Registry); prepare articles of association and shareholder/director ID documents (apostilled, sworn-translated and notarised if foreign).
2. Secure a Romanian registered office (sediu social) and, if forming remotely, grant a notarised, apostilled power of attorney to a local representative.
3. Deposit the minimum share capital (from RON 500) and file the incorporation dossier with ONRC; receive the registration certificate (CUI) and constitutive court resolution.
4. Register for tax with ANAF, elect the micro-enterprise regime if eligible, register for VAT if required, and open a Romanian business bank account.