Your guide to buying property in Romania - RE/MAX Europe (2024)

Your guide to buying property in Romania - RE/MAX Europe (2)

Ready to make Romania your home?

Romania is full of natural wonders, friendly people and endless opportunities. Its affordability makes it an excellent place to live, especially for Digital Nomads and remote workers. But there are many things to consider before you take the plunge. We’ll lay out some of the key things for you to consider as you search for your new home.

Romania’s biggest advantages

The country is highly underrated but continues to develop as an international hub for all kinds of businesses. Bucharest, Brașov, Iași and Timișoara are home to some of the world’s most cutting-edge multinational firms – and because of their prominence, the job market in Romania is continuing to grow. This is not the only area in which Romania is making leaps; thanks to the growing arts culture, it is home to many exciting music and arts festivals that attract global attention.

Not only does Romania boast a low cost of living and high quality of life, but its other perks include some of the fastest internet speeds in Europe, places to ski in the chilly winters and beautiful beaches to enjoy summers in the sun. Plus, despite Romania’s dynamic economy and rapid modernization, its rich history and traditions are still just as evident as ever before.

Your guide to buying property in Romania - RE/MAX Europe (3)

Is it difficult to buy in Romania?

The process of buying your new home in Romania will depend on your citizenship. Luckily for EU and EEA citizens, buying property in Romania will be just as easy as for a Romanian citizen, so long as the property is your secondary residence. If you’re an EU citizen without a Romanian Personal Identification Number, you will need a Fiscal Identification Number to go through with the process. Thankfully, this number is easy to get if you have your residence permit. However, make sure to start the process of getting this Fiscal Identification Number before you start the purchasing process, otherwise the contract will be invalid.

As a non-EU citizen, the process will be a bit more complicated. This is because in most cases a non-EU citizen can own a building or construction, but not the land it is built upon. Instead, they will need to get a permit to use the house and land, but if the construction is taken down there will remain no legal rights over the land. So, it’s very important to have the right agent by your side to help you understand the situation and avoid any problems.

Which part of this diverse country suits you?

Hoping to find enchanting forests, stunning lakes, vast mountain ranges and incredible architecture? You’re looking in the right place! As Romania is on the Black Sea coast and the Danube Delta, you will find some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

You might choose to find a home in one of the bustling cities, a beautifully preserved medieval town or in a fairy tale countryside villa. You’ll find both old and modern apartments in a wide variety of cities. As Timișoara is close to the border and the biggest city in Western Romania, here you can find a vibrant cultural scene and lots of foreign investors. Cluj-Napoca will be ideal if you’re looking for technology, but it is also a centre for film, music and theatre festivals. If you’re looking for a holiday home, you could find a summer getaway in Mamaia, or a cabin in a snowy valley near one of the beautiful skiing resorts. These are just a few of the many charming options available, so don’t skip out on doing your research to find the best fit for your family!

Finding an agent you can trust

Be sure to do your research when you choose your real estate agent, as they are not required by law to be licensed by a governmental agency. Getting the right agent might be the difference between finding your perfect home and a messy, slow process. Fortunately, your RE/MAX agent has experience and expertise the country’s real estate market, and they will know the local area and be able to show you the very best properties that suit your needs.

You will also need to find a locally registered lawyer to verify the house belongs to the seller and check the land survey documents to get a report from the land registry, and your RE/MAX agent will be able to recommend the right expert. Then once you have found a home and checked its legal status, it’s time to sign the contract. A notary will be present at the closing, along with both the buyer and seller. At this point the deed will be registered into the land registry and the home will be all yours! Keep in mind the fees will include registration fees, local taxes, notary fees and transfer tax. While this may be daunting, your RE/MAX agent can manage all the details.

Excited for the move? Romania might be the perfect place for your new home, holiday home, or even business, so take a look at what properties are available and know that your RE/MAX agent is there to answer all your questions and make the buying process much easier!

Visit RE/MAX Romania’s Regional Page

Please Note:While RE/MAX Europe has compiled the information on this page diligently and to the best of its knowledge, RE/MAX Europe does not assume any liability for the accuracy of the information or for any damages resulting from the use of the information.

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Your guide to buying property in Romania - RE/MAX Europe (2024)

FAQs

Can a US citizen buy a home in Romania? ›

For buildings such as houses or apartments, there are no significant restrictions. Americans can buy, own, and sell these properties just like Romanian citizens.

Is it safe to buy property in Romania? ›

Generally speaking, it is safe to buy a property in Romania. However, like in any country, prospective buyers should be wary of scams. For example, there have been reports of sellers not having the proper legal titles or the property being under dispute. Thus, due diligence is paramount.

What is the average house price in Romania? ›

According to the 2022 Deloitte Property Index, conducted in 23 countries and 68 cities, Romania ranks second among the European countries with the cheapest housing, after Bosnia and Herzegovina, with an average price of EUR 1,266/sqm, calculated using data from the country's main cities and towns.

How much does it cost to buy land in Romania? ›

Average price of land in Romania rising year on year

In the case of Romania, the average price of a hectare of arable land was €7,601 in 2021, up from €7,163 in 2020. By comparison, the average price of a hectare of arable land in 2021 was €6,096 in Bulgaria, €5,940 in France and €5,187 in Hungary.

How long can a US citizen live in Romania? ›

U.S. citizens who wish to stay longer than 90 days must obtain an extension (resident permit) from the Romanian Immigration Inspectorate. U.S. citizens traveling to Romania should also consult the CDC's Romania website for immunization and other health information.

Can a US citizen retire in Romania? ›

Anyone emigrating from a Non-EU country requires a residence permit to retire in Romania, but this is not easy to acquire. You will have to obtain a temporary permit for five years then finally a permanent permit. You can try setting up a business in Romania if you have the funds.

How much money is enough to live in Romania? ›

A married couple should expect to spend about €1,700 per month for a decent life in Romania in 2023. This includes such expenses as rent, utilities, food and some entertainment.

Does Romania have a good quality of life? ›

Countries with a high standard of living have a high quality of life satisfaction: Denmark, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands. The opposite is Bulgaria with a very low life satisfaction. Romania ranks 14th, with a satisfaction rate of 7.1 equal to France's satisfaction rate, for example.

How much is property tax in Romania? ›

Property taxes

Residential buildings: Tax rate between 0.08% and 0.2% (applicable to the taxable value as per the specific table provided by the law for individuals and the value resulted from the evaluation report for legal entities). Non-residential buildings: Tax rate between 0.2% and 1.3%.

Is it worth it to move to Romania? ›

Romania is an intriguing option for emigrants seeking work in Eastern Europe: it might not be your first choice but it is definitely worth considering, as the country is the new home to some big multinationals, has a relatively low cost of living, and a current low rate of unemployment which suggests that the economy ...

How much is monthly rent in Romania? ›

Some average costs of living in Romania (in ROM and USD) are: Monthly rent (1 bedroom apartment): 1900ROM ($470) * Utilities (monthly average): 475ROM ($115) Monthly public transport pass: 70ROM ($17)

Why do so many people own homes in Romania? ›

Homeownership in Romania: the communist legacy

Against this background, nationalization by the regime had significant implications on the morale and mentality of the people, which is why in 1989, after the fall of communism, people rushed to buy their own homes.

Do Romanians pay property tax? ›

Every individual that owns a land in Romania needs to pay an annual levy with specific exceptions. This tax is owed to the local budget of the region, city or municipality. If the land is located in Bucharest, the taxes are to be paid to the local budget of the municipality's sector.

What is the most expensive country to own property in? ›

Monaco remains the most expensive residential real estate market worldwide, with the average price per square meter at $48,150. Hong Kong has some of the most expensive real estate markets in the world, an average residential property in Hong Kong costs about $1.2 million.

Can Americans own land in Romania? ›

– the Romanian Constitution, – the Law no. 312 of 2005 on the Acquisition of Ownership over Real Estate by Foreign Citizens, Stateless Persons and Foreign Legal Entities, etc. Non-EU citizens can purchase real estate properties, but they can't own land in Romania (exceptions from this apply, but they are very limited).

How can an American live in Romania? ›

US citizens have the right to enter and remain in Romania for a period of 90 days in any given 180-day period without a visa. However, for those who intend to immigrate to Romania, a temporary residence permit is mandatory.

Can I move from USA to Romania? ›

Visa to move to Romania from the USA

But when you are relocating to Romania from the USA you will require a valid visa to justify your entrance and stay in this country. You need to apply for a long-stay visa (D) when you plan to stay and work in Romania. A stay more than 90 days will require this visa, as well.

How do you qualify for residency in Romania? ›

They have proof of a continuous and legal stay of minimum 5 years on national territory - with a maximum absence of 6 consecutive months. They have national health insurance. They have means of subsistence - at least the minimum income level guaranteed in Romania.

Can a US citizen have dual citizenship with Romania? ›

The Romanian citizenship law permits holding dual citizenship, so you do not need to give up your present citizenship. Also, no Romanian language proficiency is required for the process. Successful applicants take the oath of allegiance after citizenship approval.

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