Company Formation in Romania

START YOUR BUSINESS IN ROMANIA — THE GATEWAY TO EASTERN EUROPE AND THE EU SINGLE MARKET

Company Formation in Romania

OVERVIEW

Incorporation in Romania

Romania is one of the most attractive destinations in Europe for company registration, offering a strategic geographic position at the crossroads of Eastern and Western Europe, a highly educated workforce, competitive operating costs, and full access to the EU Single Market. As a European Union member state since 2007, a company registered in Romania can trade freely across all 27 EU member states, benefit from EU funding programs, and operate under a transparent and internationally recognized legal framework.

Why Romania?

One of the lowest corporate tax rates in the EU — flat 16% corporate income tax
Micro-enterprise tax regime available — as low as 1% on revenue for qualifying companies
Strategic location connecting Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and the Black Sea region
Highly educated, multilingual workforce at competitive labour costs
Minimum stated share capital of RON 500 required — no paid-up deposit necessary.
Fast and straightforward registration process — typically 5–10 business days
Growing technology, manufacturing, and e-commerce ecosystem
No restrictions on foreign ownership — 100% foreign-owned companies permitted

Requirements

General Requirements for Romania Company Formation

Company Name

Must be unique and approved by the Romanian Trade Register. Must not conflict with existing registered names.

Entity Type

SRL (most common for foreign investors), SA, or Branch Office

Office Address

A physical Romanian address is mandatory for all registered companies. CORPEASE provides a headquarter address service.

Minimum Share Capital

RON 500 (~€96) for SRL. RON 90,000 (~€18,000) for SA.

Minimum Shareholders

1 shareholder for SRL. 2 shareholders for SA.

Minimum Directors

1 director for SRL. Board of at least 3 for SA.

Foreign Ownership

100% foreign ownership is permitted. No local partner required.

Owner Identification

Valid passport copy and proof of address for all shareholders and directors.

Memorandum & Articles

Constitutive Act (Articles of Association) — prepared by CORPEASE LEGAL.

Document Requirement

All incorporation documents must be signed by the administrator.

Tax Registration

Automatic upon Trade Register approval. VAT registration is optional unless turnover exceeds RON 300,000.

COMPANY TYPES

Which Company Types We Serve

SRL — Societate cu Răspundere Limitată (Private Limited Company)

The most common and recommended entity type for foreign investors and small-to-medium businesses in Romania. The SRL offers limited liability protection, flexible management, and minimal administrative requirements. It is the Romanian equivalent of a UK Ltd or German GmbH.

Best for:

Foreign entrepreneurs and international investors entering Romania
Small and medium-sized businesses and startups
E-commerce, consulting, technology, and service companies
Companies seeking low share capital requirements (minimum RON 500)
Businesses that do not plan to raise public capital

SA — Societate pe Acțiuni (Joint Stock Company)

The Romanian equivalent of a public limited company (PLC). An SA is suitable for larger businesses, companies planning to raise external investment, or those intending to list on the Bucharest Stock Exchange. An SA requires a minimum share capital of RON 90,000 and at least two shareholders.

Best for:

Large enterprises and corporations requiring significant capital structure
Companies planning to issue shares or raise investment from multiple shareholders
Businesses seeking to list on the Bucharest Stock Exchange
Joint ventures between multiple corporate entities

Sucursală (Branch Office)

A branch office is an extension of a foreign parent company operating in Romania. It is not a separate legal entity — the parent company remains fully liable for its obligations. A branch is suitable for foreign companies wishing to establish a local operational presence without creating a new legal entity.

Best for:

Foreign companies testing the Romanian market before full incorporation
Companies that prefer to maintain a single legal entity with a local operational arm
Businesses with short-term or project-based Romanian operations

Comparison

SRL vs SA — Which Structure Is Right for You?

SRL

SA

Branch

Best for

SMEs, foreign investors, startups

Large corps, listed companies

Foreign company extension

Min. share capital

RON 500 (~€96)

RON 90,000 (~€18,000)

None

Min. shareholders

N/A (parent only)

Min. directors

3 (board)

1 representative

Foreign ownership

100% permitted

Parent company

Corporate tax

16% / 1% micro-regime

16%

Separate legal entity

Yes

Public share issuance

Yes

Admin complexity

Low

High

Medium

Recommended for foreign clients

First choice

If raising investment

Market testing

Our Recommendation

For the majority of foreign entrepreneurs and international investors, the SRL is the most practical, cost-effective, and straightforward starting point. It offers full limited liability, 100% foreign ownership, and minimal share capital requirements. If you require public capital raising or plan to scale significantly, our advisors will guide you toward the appropriate entity structure.

Process

From Enquiry to Operation in Five Steps

A clear, predictable process — so you always know what happens next.

Step one

Free Consultation

We assess your business needs, recommend the most appropriate entity type (SRL, SA, or Branch), and provide a full transparent quote. No obligation, no charge.

Step Two

Document Preparation

We prepare all required incorporation documents — Constitutive Act (Articles of Association), shareholder resolution, director appointment, and registered office declaration. Documents are prepared in Romanian as required by law.

Step Three

Signature & Submission

All documents must be signed by the administrator. We submit the complete file to the Romanian Trade Register (Oficiul Național al Registrului Comerțului — ONRC) on your behalf.

Step Four

Official Registration

The Romanian Trade Register reviews and approves the application. Upon approval, your company receives its Certificate of Incorporation, unique Registration Number (CUI), and is officially listed in the national commercial register. Formation typically completes within 5–10 business days.

Step Five

Post-Incorporation Support

We set up your registered office, brief you on ongoing compliance requirements, and — where required — arrange VAT registration, and accounting services. Your business is fully operational.

Pricing

See Our Price List & Choose Your Plan

Standard

Essential Incorporation

Company name availability check
Preparation of all incorporation documents
Filing with the Romanian Trade Register (ONRC)
All government fees in the first year
One set of digital corporate documents
Office address not included

Premium

Essential Incorporation

Headquarter Address

Standard

Premium

Under 0 transactions

per month

Starting from

US$ 600^/year

Under 1-20 transactions

per month

Starting from

US$ 1000^/year

You can talk to a customer support representative or send us an email to one of the following addresses. We will respond to your request at earliest time possible.

Connect with our Experts

You can reach out to a customer support representative or send us an email. We will respond to your request at earliest time possible.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreigner own 100% of a Romanian company?

Yes. Romanian law permits 100% foreign ownership of both SRL and SA entities. There is no requirement for a local Romanian partner, director, or shareholder.

Do I need to be present in Romania to register a company?

Physical presence is not required. CORPEASE LEGAL manages the entire process remotely. Where notarization is optional, we coordinate with local notaries on your behalf.

How long does company formation in Romania take?

Registration with the Romanian Trade Register (ONRC) typically takes 5–10 business days after all documents are submitted and accepted. Expedited processing may be available in certain circumstances.

What is the corporate tax rate in Romania?

Romania has a flat corporate income tax rate of 16%. Micro-enterprises (SRL companies with annual revenue below RON 500,000 and at least one employee) may qualify for a reduced tax rate of 1% on turnover, making Romania one of the most tax-efficient jurisdictions in the EU.

Is VAT registration mandatory?

VAT registration is mandatory once your company’s annual taxable turnover exceeds RON 300,000 (~€60,000). Voluntary VAT registration is possible from the date of incorporation, which is advisable for companies trading with VAT-registered EU businesses. CORPEASE handles VAT registration as part of our service.

What is the minimum share capital for an SRL?

A minimum stated share capital of RON 500 is required for SRL registration. There is no paid-up requirement — the capital does not need to be deposited into a bank account prior to incorporation.

Do I need a physical Romanian office address?

Yes. A Romanian registered address is a legal requirement for all companies. CORPEASE provides a registered address service as part of all formation packages, satisfying this requirement without the need to lease physical office space.

Can a Romanian company trade across the EU?

Yes. As an EU member state, Romania provides full access to the EU Single Market. A Romanian-registered company can trade goods and services freely across all 27 EU member states, apply for EU tenders and funding, and benefit from EU free trade agreements with third countries.

What ongoing compliance is required after registration?

Romanian companies are required to file annual financial statements with the Ministry of Finance, maintain statutory accounting records, file monthly or quarterly VAT returns if VAT-registered, and submit payroll declarations if employing staff. CORPEASE tracks all deadlines and manages filings on your behalf.

How much does it cost to form a company in Romania?

The total cost includes Romanian government registration fees plus CORPEASE LEGAL service fees. Contact us for a full transparent quote with no hidden charges.

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