How to Obtain Romanian Citizenship in 2026: Step-by-Step Guide for Moldovan Citizens

In 2026, Romanian citizenship remains one of the most accessible routes to an EU passport for citizens of the Republic of Moldova, but the procedure is now more strictly formalized than in previous years: incomplete files are rejected outright, real processing times reach 24 to 36 months, and every document must be translated and notarized in line with the requirements of the National Authority for Citizenship (NCA). This guide gives you the exact document list, real costs in Moldovan lei and euros, official timelines, the mistakes that most often delay a file, and which translations you actually need. For an instant quote on [notarized translations](/en/notarized-translations), see our transparent pricing.

Who Is Eligible for Romanian Citizenship in 2026

The legal basis remains Law No. 21/1991 on Romanian citizenship, republished, with amendments in force in 2025 to 2026. In the vast majority of cases, Moldovan citizens apply to reacquire Romanian citizenship under Article 11, which covers persons who lost Romanian citizenship against their will or whose ancestors (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents) held Romanian citizenship up to 1940 or later. Unlike Article 8 (grant on request), reacquisition does not require residence in Romania and does not demand renunciation of Moldovan citizenship.

• Article 11 — reacquisition for descendants up to the third degree (great-grandchildren of a Romanian citizen).
• Article 10 — reacquisition for those who lost citizenship before 1989 and are not deemed unworthy.
• Article 8 — grant on request (requires a minimum of 8 years of residence in Romania, reduced to 5 for spouses).
• Article 9 — special situations (persons with outstanding merit, investors, athletes).

Required Documents for the Reacquisition File (Article 11)

The list below is the NCA standard applied in 2026 for Moldovan citizens filing under Article 11. All Moldovan documents must carry a Hague Apostille, and translations must be produced by a translator authorized by the Romanian Ministry of Justice and notarized in Romania.

1. Standard reacquisition application, signed in person before an NCA officer or a notary.
2. Valid Moldovan passport and national ID card (color copies, originals at submission).
3. Applicant's birth certificate — original, apostilled, translated and notarized in Romania.
4. Birth certificates of Romanian ancestors (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents) — copies or extracts from state archives in Romania or the Republic of Moldova.
5. Marriage certificate (if applicable) — apostilled, translated, notarized.
6. Criminal record certificate from the Republic of Moldova — apostilled, translated, valid for 6 months.
7. Criminal record certificate from Romania (issued free of charge at submission).
8. Sworn statement that no grounds exist for loss of citizenship.
9. Declaration of loyalty to the Romanian State (signed at the oath ceremony).
10. Two recent color passport-sized photos.
11. Proof of payment of the consular fee (receipt).

Real Costs in 2026: What You Pay and Where

The total cost of a file ranges between 4,500 and 9,000 MDL (roughly 230 to 460 EUR), depending on the number of documents translated, the consular fee and travel. The table below summarizes official fees and typical market rates for related services.

For a personalized translation quote (based on the exact number of pages and documents), use the instant calculator on our [pricing](/en/pricing) page. Note: apostille and criminal record fees are based on the official rates published by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Moldova; confirm the current amount before paying.

Timelines: How Long It Really Takes in 2026

The legal processing deadline under Law 21/1991 is 5 months from submission of a complete file, extendable by 3 more months. In reality, in 2025 and 2026 the average time from submission to oath is 24 to 36 months, driven by the volume of applications (more than 60,000 files a year from Moldovan citizens, per NCA reporting). The procedure has several stages, each with its own timeline.

The Procedure Step by Step

1. Check your line of descent and gather the civil status documents of your parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.
2. Obtain the apostille on Moldovan documents from the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Moldova.
3. Order authorized translations and notarization in Romania (see [notarized translations](/en/notarized-translations)).
4. Book online through the NCA portal (just.ro) or at the Romanian consulate in Chisinau, Balti or Cahul.
5. Submit your file in person — sign the application in front of the officer.
6. Wait for the checks (you can track the status on the NCA portal using your file number).
7. Once the Order is published in the Official Gazette (Part III), book your oath appointment.
8. Take the oath of allegiance to Romania and receive your citizenship certificate.
9. With the certificate, apply for your CNP (personal ID number), transcription of civil status documents, Romanian ID card and passport.

Common Mistakes That Delay or Sink the File

1. Translations done in Moldova — even when apostilled, they are NOT accepted by the NCA. You need translations from a translator authorized by the Romanian Ministry of Justice.
2. Missing apostille on a criminal record or birth certificate — the document is returned unexamined.
3. Criminal record certificate older than 6 months at submission — automatic rejection.
4. Transliteration differences between Romanian and Moldovan documents (e.g. 'Stefan' vs 'Stefan' with different diacritics). Requires a notarial declaration of identity of person.
5. Missing a direct ancestor's document (for example, the grandfather's birth certificate) — rejected with no possibility to complete without rescheduling.
6. Wrong data on the standard form (year of birth, locality, article invoked) — formal rejection.
7. Failure to appear at the oath within 6 months of the Order's publication — the Order lapses and the procedure must be restarted.

Apostille vs. Consular Legalization: Which One

For documents issued in the Republic of Moldova and destined for the NCA, the apostille under the 1961 Hague Convention is mandatory, as both states are parties. Consular legalization is NOT required. The apostille is applied to the original document (or to a duplicate issued by the Civil Status Office), not to the translation. After apostilling, the document is translated and notarized in Romania. For more on the apostille procedure and costs, see our dedicated [apostille](/en/apostille) page.

After the Oath: Passport, CNP, Transcriptions

The citizenship certificate is not in itself an ID document. After the oath, you must apply, in this order: (1) for your CNP at the General Directorate for Population Records; (2) for transcription of civil status documents (birth, marriage, children) at the municipality of residence or through the consulate — deadline 60 to 90 days; (3) for the Romanian ID card; (4) for the electronic biometric passport (issued in 2 to 4 weeks at the Passport Service). Transcription again requires notarized translations of all the Moldovan documents involved.

Citizenship for Minor Children

Children under 18 acquire Romanian citizenship together with the parent, provided the parent expressly lists them in the application and files their documents. For children over 14, the minor's written consent is required, given in front of the NCA officer. Mandatory documents: the child's birth certificate (apostilled, translated, notarized), the child's passport or ID if available, and, if one parent is not party to the application, the notarized consent of the other parent.