Foreign founders and international businesses
Setting up in Romania involves more than filing an application. The structure, registered office, activity codes, ownership documents and post-registration obligations should be aligned before the file reaches the Trade Registry.
Can a foreigner set up a company in Romania?
Company formation is a legal and operational project, not only a registration formality. The founders should decide what the business will do, who will own and manage it, where it will be based, how it will be funded and whether it will employ people or require sector-specific authorisations.
Which structure is appropriate?
The most common route for a new operating business is an SRL, the Romanian limited liability company. A branch may suit a foreign company that wants to operate through its existing legal identity, while a representative office has a narrower non-commercial role. An SA is generally considered for larger or more complex capital structures.
| Structure | Separate legal entity? | Typical use | Key point to review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Startups, SMEs and operating subsidiaries | Ownership, management, activity codes, capital and registered office | |
| Yes | Larger businesses or more complex investment structures | Higher capital and more formal governance requirements | |
| No | Local operations of an existing foreign company | The foreign parent remains legally responsible for the branch | |
| No | Promotion, liaison and market research | It is not a substitute for a revenue-generating operating company |
Choosing the cheapest-looking route at the beginning can create avoidable work later. A subsidiary, branch and representative office differ in liability, contracting, tax, staffing, reporting and market access.
What is required to form a Romanian SRL in 2026?
Founder information
- Passport or identity document for individual founders and administrators;
- residential address and contact information;
- ownership percentages and voting arrangements;
- beneficial-owner information;
- corporate approvals and registry extracts where a shareholder is a foreign company.
Company decisions
- company name and alternatives for reservation;
- principal and secondary activity codes under the current classification;
- registered office and proof of the right to use the premises;
- administrator appointment and representation rules;
- share capital and contribution arrangements;
- any licences, approvals or operating conditions required for the activity.
What are the current share-capital rules?
The former 1 RON wording should not be carried into a 2026 company-formation page without qualification. Share capital is only one part of the setup budget. Founders should also separate official publication or registration-related charges, translation and legalisation costs, bank charges, accounting or tax-adviser fees, legal fees and any registered-office or licence costs.
How does the company-formation process work?
Define the route
Confirm the structure, ownership, management, activity codes, office and funding plan.
Prepare the file
Reserve the name, draft the constitutive documents and collect identity, office and corporate evidence.
File with ONRC
Submit the application and supporting documents to the competent Trade Registry office, personally or through an authorised representative.
Activate the business
Arrange the bank account, accounting, tax registrations, authorisations, contracts and employment setup that the business needs.
The National Trade Register Office states that a registration application is generally resolved by the registrar within one working day after filing, but this is not the same as a guaranteed end-to-end formation time. Preparation, translations, missing documents, corrections, bank onboarding, authorisations and tax choices can extend the project.
Can the process be handled remotely?
Before relying on a power of attorney, confirm which documents must be signed, authenticated, legalised, translated or issued in a particular form. A foreign founder should also distinguish company formation from the right to work or reside in Romania. Setting up a company does not automatically grant an immigration right.
Our company-formation legal support
Structuring
We help compare an SRL, SA, branch or representative office against the intended ownership and activity model.
Registration file
We coordinate name reservation, constitutive documents, registered-office evidence, declarations and Trade Registry filing.
Post-formation setup
We assist with corporate documents, contracts, employment, immigration referrals, compliance and ongoing corporate support.
Company-formation checklist
- Confirm whether the Romanian business will be a subsidiary, branch or representative office.
- Identify all shareholders, beneficial owners and administrators.
- Choose the activity codes and check whether the activity is regulated.
- Secure a Romanian registered office and evidence of the right to use it.
- Prepare foreign corporate documents, legalisation and Romanian translations where required.
- Agree the capital, governance, signing authority and shareholder arrangements.
- Plan the bank, accounting, tax, employment, immigration and licensing steps after registration.
Related company-formation resources
Frequently asked questions
Can a non-EU citizen own a Romanian company?
In general, yes. Company ownership and the right to reside or work in Romania are separate questions. The founder’s documents, beneficial ownership, activity and any regulated-sector restrictions must be checked before filing.
Can one person be the shareholder and administrator?
An SRL may generally be established with one shareholder, who may also be appointed as administrator. The constitutive documents should still address representation, decision-making, activity and beneficial-owner information correctly.
Do I need a Romanian registered office?
Yes. A Romanian legal entity must have a registered office supported by a document proving the right to use the premises. Domiciliation may be an option, but the arrangement and any activity at the address should be reviewed.
How long does company formation take?
The registrar generally resolves a complete registration application within the statutory procedure, often stated by ONRC as one working day. The total project depends on document preparation, foreign formalities, corrections, banking, tax choices and any licences.
Does forming a company give me a Romanian residence permit?
No. Incorporation does not automatically create a right to enter, reside or work in Romania. Immigration eligibility and the correct permit route must be assessed separately for the founder, administrator and employees.
Start with the right legal structure
If you are establishing a Romanian company from abroad, the most useful first step is to map the ownership, activity, office, management and post-registration plan before documents are signed.