Applying for Romanian citizenship can be a complex process, but it is important to understand the different routes available under Law 21/1991, particularly through Article 10 and Article 11.
🇷🇴 Article 11: Citizenship for Descendants of Romanian Citizens
This article applies to individuals whose ancestors were Romanian citizens but lost their citizenship for various reasons. If you qualify under this article, the process of reacquiring Romanian citizenship became slower in the past years due to thousands of applications.
⏳ Timeframe: Applications based on Article 11 typically take up to 36 months to process, depending on the volume of cases and the completeness of your file. Additional factors such as document verification and background checks may impact the time required.
🌍 Article 10: Citizenship for Foreign Nationals of Romanian Descent
Article 10 applies to foreign nationals with Romanian ancestry who have never held Romanian citizenship or people who renounce to their citizenship and want to regain it. This pathway is used to grant citizenship to individuals with proven Romanian lineage who may have been born or lived outside Romania.
⏳ Timeframe: Applications under Article 10 usually take 18 to 24 months. The process includes document gathering, verification, and approval steps that can vary based on the applicant’s country of residence and the availability of required documents.
📑 Factors Impacting Processing Times
✅ Completeness of Documents: Incomplete files or missing documents can significantly delay the processing.
✅ Authority Workload: The number of applications at the Romanian Citizenship Authority (ANC) impacts the overall processing time.
✅ External Delays: Some delays may occur due to background checks or document verifications from other countries.
✅ Internal Delays: Some delays may occur due to Romanian Authorities delayed answers.
While these timeframes are general guidelines, each case may vary based on unique circumstances. To ensure a smoother and faster process, make sure all your documents are in order and follow up regularly with the authorities.
