Moving from Romania to Spain: Complete Guide for Romanian Citizens
Key Facts for Romanian Citizens
- Visa Required: No. EU citizen with full freedom of movement
- Registration: Required after 90 days (EU Certificate)
- Work Permit: Not required. Full EU labor market access
- Tax Treaty: Yes (2017)
- Citizenship Timeline: 10 years legal residence
- Dual Citizenship: Romania allows. Spain-Romania agreement in final negotiations (2026)
- Romanian Community: Over 1 million registered residents (largest foreign community)
- Spanish Embassy: Bucharest (+ honorary consulates in Timisoara, Cluj-Napoca)
Why Over 1 Million Romanians Call Spain Home
Spain hosts the largest Romanian community outside of Romania itself. With more than 1 million registered residents, this isn’t just immigration. It’s a full-scale population shift that’s been building since Romania joined the EU in 2007.
The reasons Romanian citizens choose Spain follow clear patterns: job opportunities in construction, hospitality, agriculture, and healthcare. The Mediterranean climate. A romance language that Romanian speakers pick up faster than you’d expect. And perhaps most importantly, a massive support network of family and friends who already made the move.
The numbers tell the story. Romanians represent Spain’s largest foreign community, surpassing even Moroccan and British residents. Cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Castellon have Romanian populations in the tens of thousands. You’ll find Romanian grocery stores, Orthodox churches, cultural associations, and businesses in every major Spanish city.
Romania Spain Visa: You Don’t Need One
Let’s address the Romania Spain visa question directly: there isn’t one. Romania’s 2007 EU accession changed everything. Before that date, Romanians needed visas and work permits like any non-EU national. Today, you have four fundamental rights under EU law:
Right to Enter: Enter Spain with just your Romanian ID card or passport. No visa application, no entry permit, no questions at the border.
Right to Stay 90 Days: No registration needed. No proof of income, insurance, or purpose. Just show up.
Right to Stay Beyond 90 Days: Register with Spanish authorities and prove you’re employed, self-employed, a student with health insurance, or financially self-sufficient.
Right to Work: Take any job immediately. No employer sponsorship. No labor market test. No quota restrictions. Work as an employee or start your own business from day one.
EU Registration: Your First Legal Step
If staying longer than 90 days, you need the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión. This green card-sized document proves you’ve registered as an EU citizen exercising your right to reside in Spain.
Don’t confuse this with a residence permit or visa. You already have the right to live here. The certificate documents that right. But it’s essential. Without it, you can’t get a Spanish driver’s license, open certain bank accounts, or access full public healthcare.
Where to Apply: Oficina de Extranjería or designated police stations. In Barcelona, the main office is on Carrer Murcia 42.
Required Documents:
Registration Documents:
- EX-18 form completed and signed
- Romanian passport or ID (original plus copy)
- Empadronamiento (proof of address from local town hall)
- Proof of status (work contract, autónomo registration, bank statements, or enrollment letter)
- Fee receipt Via Modelo 790 Código 012
The NIE: Your Spanish Tax ID
The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is essential for virtually everything: work contracts, taxes, property, bank accounts, phone contracts. For EU citizens, the NIE often comes automatically with your EU registration certificate. You can also apply for just the NIE earlier if you’ve found a job and need to start working within your first 90 days.
Romanian Community in Spain
With over a million compatriots, you’ll never lack community support. Strong presence in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Castellon. Romanian grocery stores, Orthodox churches, and cultural associations exist in every major city.
Language advantage: Romanian and Spanish share Latin roots. Romanian speakers typically achieve conversational Spanish within 6-12 months. This dramatically improves job prospects and social integration.
Professional recognition: Qualifications earned in Romania should be recognized in Spain under EU directives. Doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers, contact the relevant Spanish professional body. The process takes months but it’s straightforward for EU qualifications.
Driving: Your Romanian license is valid indefinitely in Spain. No exchange required.
Tax Treaty: Romania-Spain
Romania and Spain signed a double taxation agreement in 2017, replacing the original 1979 treaty. This prevents paying taxes twice on the same income.
Key Points:
- Beckham Law: Qualifying professionals can pay flat 24% tax on Spanish income for 6 years. Check eligibility
- Tax Rate Comparison: Romania’s 10% individual rate vs Spain’s progressive 19-47%
- Credit Method: Tax paid in Romania can be credited against Spanish liability
- Social Security: Years worked in Romania count toward your Spanish pension under EU coordination
Healthcare Access
If Working: Employment automatically enrolls you in Spain’s Social Security. You’ll get a Tarjeta Sanitaria (health card) and access the same public healthcare as Spanish citizens.
If Not Working: Use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from Romania for temporary coverage. For permanent coverage, purchase private insurance or register for the Convenio Especial (around €60/month for under-65s).
Path to Spanish Citizenship: 10 Years
Romanian citizens need 10 years of legal, continuous residence for Spanish citizenship. Unlike citizens from Spain’s former colonies who qualify after 2 years, there’s no shortcut for Romanians under current law.
Continuous residence: Keep absences under 6 consecutive months. Too many shorter trips can also raise questions. We advise spending at least 9-10 months per year in Spain during your residency period.
Exams required: CCSE (civic knowledge) and DELE A2 (Spanish language). Romanian speakers find the DELE manageable given the language similarities.
Processing: Currently takes 1-3 years after application submission.
Dual Citizenship: Major News
Spain and Romania are in the final stages of negotiating a bilateral dual citizenship agreement. As of early 2026, both governments have exchanged draft legislation. When finalized, this will allow the 620,000+ Romanians in Spain to naturalize without renouncing Romanian citizenship.
Currently: Romania permits dual citizenship without restrictions. Spain requires a renunciation declaration. In practice, Romania doesn’t enforce any loss based on foreign declarations, so you keep both passports. But the formal process is time-consuming.
Once agreement signed: Romania would join France, Portugal, and Andorra as European countries with Spanish dual citizenship treaties.
Important: After naturalizing Spanish, use your Spanish passport for travel. Exclusively using your Romanian passport for 3+ years could result in losing Spanish citizenship.
Bringing Your Family
Romanian family members: Same EU rights as you. They register independently as EU citizens.
Non-EU family members: Spouse, children under 21, or dependent parents who aren’t EU citizens can apply for an EU Family Card. This is easier than standard immigration but requires proving the relationship and dependency.
Children born in Spain: Not automatically Spanish (Spain uses jus sanguinis). However, children born in Spain to foreign parents can apply for citizenship after just 1 year of residence, so the path is much shorter than for adults.
Spanish Embassy in Romania
Bucharest – Embassy of Spain
3, Louis Blanc St, Bucharest, Sector 1, 011751
Chancellery Tel: (0040) 213 181 077
Consular Tel: (0040) 213 181 085
Email: [email protected]
Consular: [email protected]
Honorary Consulates:
Timisoara: (004) 0729 048 427
Cluj-Napoca: (004) 0751 513 175
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Romanian citizens need a visa for Spain?
No. As an EU citizen since 2007, you have full freedom of movement. Live and work in Spain without any visa. Just register after 90 days if staying long-term.
Can I work in Spain immediately?
Yes. EU freedom of movement gives you the right to work from day one. No work permit needed. Just ensure you complete EU registration if staying beyond 90 days.
Can I keep my Romanian passport when becoming Spanish?
Currently, Spain requires a renunciation declaration but Romania allows dual citizenship. In practice, you keep both. A formal dual citizenship agreement between Spain and Romania is in final negotiations (2026) which will simplify this.
What if I lose my job?
You retain your right to reside in Spain. Register with the employment office (SEPE), maintain health insurance, and continue meeting residency conditions. EU law protects workers who become involuntarily unemployed.
Are my children born in Spain Spanish citizens?
Not automatically. Spain uses jus sanguinis (citizenship by blood). However, children born in Spain to foreign parents can apply for citizenship after just 1 year of residence, much faster than the 10-year adult requirement.
Can I vote in Spanish elections?
You can vote in local (municipal) and European Parliament elections immediately after registering on the electoral census. National elections require Spanish citizenship.
Why Work With Us
Spanish bureaucracy is relentless. Visa applications, tax residency, NIE appointments, ongoing compliance. Getting any of it wrong costs time and money. We handle the paperwork and planning so you can focus on actually building your life here.
This guide provides general information about moving from Romania to Spain. Requirements can change. Contact us for personalized advice on your situation. Information accurate as of January 2026.