Romania – Digital Nomad Visa Could Soon Be Adopted

Romania is planning to adopt new legislative measures to enable more flexibility for remote working, by offering a so-called digital nomad visa.¹

This step is being taken in response to workplace issues tied to the coronavirus and the new reality of and dynamic changes to the labour market thanks to the widespread use of telecommunication technologies.  The digital nomad visa will allow eligible individuals from outside the European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) to work more flexibly and with fewer constraints in Romania for a fixed period of time “outside” the usual rules that apply if someone were to come and work in Romania.

The new draft law aims to modify Emergency Ordinance no. 194 /2002 on regulations for foreigners in Romania through the introduction of a specific type of visa for digital nomads who are defined as third-country nationals (i.e,. non-EU/EEA nationals) working remotely from Romania for an international employer, or for a company they have registered outside Romania, while living in and exploring the country.

The digital nomad visa may be issued if certain specific conditions are observed, including: proof of being an employee, or an owner of a company registered outside of Romania, proof that for six months before applying for the visa, and for the period during which the visa is being applied for, the digital nomad has had and will have income amounting to at least the equivalent of the average national income, proof of health insurance for the period for which the visa will be issued, as well as further requirements.

This legislative measure is not applicable yet.  It is still a draft law, which is subject to approval by the Romanian Parliament and publication in the official journal of Romania (Monitorul Oficial).

Individuals who may be interested in this development are encouraged to contact their usual immigration counsel or any member of the team with KPMG in Romania (see the Contact Us section).  

1  See the official website of the Romanian Senate (in Romanian) where there are references to the draft law and its status:  https://www.senat.ro/legis/lista.aspx?nr_cls=b198&an_cls=2021

See a news release on the website for the political party USR PLUS, “Inițiativă USR PLUS, depusă în Parlament: Viză pentru nomazii digitali” (12 May 2021) (in Romanian) at: https://www.usr.ro/2021/05/12/initiativa-usr-plus-depusa-in-parlament-viza-pentru-nomazii-digitali/ . (Note that this is a 3^rd party (non-governmental, non-KPMG) website. Providing this link does not represent an endorsement of this website by KPMG.)

For further insight, see C. Turp-Balzs, “Romania’s digital nomad visa might be the most accessible yet,” Emerging Europe (online) (17 May 2021) at: https://emerging-europe.com/news/romanias-digital-nomad-visa-might-be-the-most-accessible-yet/ .  (Note that this is a 3^rd party (non-governmental, non-KPMG) website. Providing this link does not represent an endorsement of this website by KPMG.) 

* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.

The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Romania.