Register Your Company Name in Romania
Company formation in Romania
Registering a Company Name in Romania
Before incorporating a Romanian company, founders normally need to check and reserve an available company name with the National Trade Register Office (ONRC).
This guide explains the legal role of name reservation, the main restrictions, the filing routes available to foreign founders and the steps that follow once the reservation has been issued.
Short answer: name reservation is an early company-formation step, but it is not the same as incorporating the company and it does not replace a trademark search. The reserved name must still be used within the applicable period and accepted in the context of the incorporation filing.
What Does Company Name Reservation Mean?
Company name reservation is the procedure through which the ONRC checks the proposed name against the applicable legal requirements and records the availability of the name for the applicant. The applicant normally submits several alternatives in a stated order of preference.
The reservation is connected to a future registration application. It does not, by itself, create a company, confer legal personality or prove that the name is available as a trademark, domain name or social-media handle.
What the Name Reservation Does and Does Not Protect
It supports the incorporation file
The proof of availability or reservation is used in the next stage of the company-registration process, together with the constitutional documents and other required information.
It is not trademark registration
A company name and a trademark serve different legal functions. A separate trademark clearance and registration strategy may be needed if the name is important to the business.
It is not an unlimited exclusivity right
The legal effect of the reservation is limited by the applicable company and Trade Register rules. Similarity, misleading elements, protected terms and the later incorporation file may still matter.
Key Legal Requirements for a Romanian Company Name
The proposed name must be sufficiently distinctive and must comply with the rules applicable to the chosen legal form. The name should not be identical or confusingly similar to a name already recorded, and it should not mislead third parties about the company, its activities or its relationship with a public authority.
- Use a name that can be distinguished from existing registered names.
- Include the legal form where required, such as SRL or SA.
- Avoid protected or restricted words unless the required prior approval is available.
- Do not imply an official connection with Romanian public authorities.
- Check whether the proposed name creates conflict with an existing brand or trademark.
- Prepare alternatives because availability is assessed against the ONRC records.
Does the name have to contain a Romanian word?
There is no safe basis for presenting a general rule that every company name must contain a Romanian word. The analysis depends on the proposed wording, the legal form, distinctiveness, public-order restrictions and the applicable ONRC practice. A foreign-language name should therefore be checked rather than automatically treated as prohibited or acceptable.
Restricted or sensitive terms
Certain protected terms, including terms referring to public authorities or regulated sectors, may require prior approval under applicable Romanian law or may be rejected when they suggest a protected institution or official connection. The exact assessment depends on the wording and context. For a sensitive name, the approval requirement should be checked before the filing is submitted.
How to Reserve a Company Name in Romania
Define the business and legal form
Clarify whether the planned entity is an SRL, SA or another registrable structure. The legal form affects the required designation and the incorporation documents.
Prepare several name options
Prepare a ranked list of alternatives. Each option should be checked for distinctiveness, restricted wording, misleading references and possible trademark conflicts.
Submit the name-reservation request
The request may be handled through the ONRC service channels, including the online portal where the applicable technical and identity requirements are met. The applicant should use the current ONRC form and instructions.
Respond to any clarification or rejection
A name may be rejected because it is unavailable, insufficiently distinctive, misleading or subject to an approval requirement. A new proposal may then be submitted.
Use the reservation in the incorporation file
Once the reservation document is available, continue with the articles of association, registered office, beneficial-owner information, activity codes, declarations and other documents required for incorporation.
Online Filing, Electronic Signatures and Foreign Founders
Romanian citizenship is generally not required for shareholders or founders of a Romanian company. Depending on the filing route, they may act personally or through an authorised representative.
An online filing does not automatically mean that every document may be signed in the same way. The current ONRC portal rules and the form of each document must be checked before submission.
ONRC route
The application may be submitted online, at the counter or through another permitted channel, subject to the current technical and procedural requirements.
Foreign documents
Documents may require a Romanian translation, authentication, apostille or legalisation, depending on their origin and type.
Representation
A representative may act only with the authority and in the form required by the applicable rules. A power of attorney should be checked before it is signed abroad.
Where a founder does not meet the technical requirements for direct online filing, representation may be considered. Banking, identity checks, immigration formalities and sector-specific approvals may still require separate steps.
How Long Is the Reservation Valid?
The reservation document is not indefinite. Applicants should verify the validity period stated in the reservation document itself and in the current ONRC procedures. The incorporation application should be prepared and filed within that period.
Because the reservation period, portal workflow and procedural requirements may change, this page does not present a fixed deadline as universally applicable without checking the current ONRC information. An expired reservation may require a new request and a fresh availability assessment.
Costs and Filing Fees
The total cost depends on the filing route, the services requested and the documents involved. It may include an ONRC service tariff, publication costs where applicable, translation or legalisation costs and professional fees. The exact amount should be confirmed against the current ONRC tariff schedule and the specific application.
For this reason, the former fixed estimate of EUR 5–10 should not be treated as a current universal fee for every name-reservation case.
What Happens After the Name Is Reserved?
Name reservation is only one stage of company formation. The next steps may include:
Reservation does not guarantee that the complete incorporation file will be admitted. The Trade Register authorities may examine the full application and may request corrections or additional documents.
How Atrium Romanian Lawyers Can Help
Atrium Romanian Lawyers assists foreign founders with the practical and legal steps involved in establishing a business in Romania, including:
Name assessment
Review of proposed names, legal-form wording, distinctiveness issues and potential red flags.
ONRC preparation
Preparation and coordination of the reservation and incorporation documentation, including foreign-founder formalities.
Formation strategy
Advice on the SRL structure, registered office, activities, representation and the documents needed for the next stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreigner reserve a company name in Romania?
Yes. Romanian citizenship is generally not required for shareholders or founders of a Romanian company. The filing route, identification documents and representation formalities must be checked for the specific case.
Does name reservation create a company?
No. It is an early step connected with the future incorporation filing. The company obtains legal personality only after the incorporation is admitted and registered.
Is a reserved company name protected as a trademark?
No. Company-name reservation and trademark protection are separate matters. A trademark clearance should be considered before investing in branding or launching the business.
Do I need a qualified electronic signature?
Not every possible filing route has the same signature requirements. The answer depends on the ONRC channel, the person signing, the documents and the applicable technical rules. The current portal instructions should be checked before filing.
What if the proposed name is rejected?
The applicant may need to submit another proposed name or correct the application, depending on the reason for rejection. A rejection does not necessarily prevent the company from being incorporated under another compliant name.
Can I reserve a name and incorporate later?
Yes, but the reservation is subject to a limited validity period. Applicants should verify the validity period stated in the reservation document itself and in the current ONRC procedures, and the complete incorporation file should be prepared before the reservation expires.
Related Company Formation Resources
Official reference: The ONRC is the institution responsible for the Romanian Trade Register and publishes the current forms, procedures and service information on its website and online portal.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice, a legal opinion or the creation of a lawyer-client relationship. Legal solutions depend on the specific facts and documents involved.
AI Notice: AI-assisted content, reviewed by a qualified Romanian lawyer.