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EU member with low taxes and growing tech/IT sector
Region
EASTERN EUROPE
Corporate Tax
16%
Setup Time
2 weeks
Currency
RON
Romania, among the EU's larger members, offers competitive costs and growing tech sector. The country's improving company registration and skilled IT workforce support business setup for European operations.
With a population of 19 million, Romania offers affordable European living with Latin character. Romanian is official, with English common among younger professionals. The climate features warm summers and cold winters.
Healthcare is available through mandatory insurance, with quality private options. Safety is generally good. The cost of living is low for the EU.
The dramatic Carpathian landscapes, cultural heritage, and improving infrastructure create emerging appeal.
Corporate tax rate stands at 16% (1% turnover tax for micro-companies). Personal income tax is flat at 10%. VAT applies at 19% standard rate.
Romania uses the leu, not the Euro. EU membership provides full single market access. The IT sector has grown significantly with notable talent pool. Manufacturing is significant.
Company registration through the Trade Register is established. The SRL (limited liability company) is the standard vehicle. Foreign ownership faces no EU restrictions.
Company formation takes approximately 1-2 weeks. Minimum capital is minimal at RON 200. At least one director is required. Annual compliance includes financial statement filing.
Romania has not established specific crypto license frameworks. Virtual asset service providers register under AML requirements through the National Office for Prevention and Control of Money Laundering.
The National Gambling Office (ONJN) regulates gambling. Online gambling licensing exists with established framework and significant market. Romania has attracted various international operators.
Infrastructure varies between developed cities and rural areas. Bureaucracy can challenge some operations. Corruption perception has improved but requires navigation.
Banking access is available through Romanian and EU banks. Professional services are developing.
Romania suits IT operations, shared services, and businesses seeking EU access at competitive costs for their business setup.
Local: SRL
Local: SA
Local: Sucursală
| Corporate Tax Rate | 16% |
| Personal Income Tax Rate | 10% |
| VAT / Sales Tax | 21% |
| Capital Gains Tax | 10% |
| Withholding Tax | 16% |
| Reduced Corporate Tax Available | Yes |
| Non-Resident Withholding Exempt | No |
| Tax Treaty Network | Yes |
| Banking Access | HIGH |
| Financial Privacy | LOW |
| Currency Controls | NONE |
| Local Bank Account Required | Yes |
| Non-Resident Bank Account Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Presence for Banking | Yes |
| Banks Restrictive (High Risk) | No |
| AML Officer Required | No |
| MLRO Required | No |
| Compliance Officer Required | No |
| Data Protection Officer Required | No |
| Bookkeeping Frequency | Monthly |
| Local Bookkeeping Required | Yes |
| Mandatory Audit | No |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | No |
| Local AML Director Required | Yes |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | No |
| Required Share Capital | $50,000 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | EU Travel Rule / MiCA compliant |
| Business Plan Required | Detailed business plan with 3-year projections, description of services, target markets, and operational procedures required |
| Personnel Required | CEO, AML/Compliance Officer, qualified management with fit-and-proper requirements |
| Insurance Required | No |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | Yes |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | ASF (Financial Supervisory Authority) maintains public register of authorized CASPs |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | No |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | No |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | Yes |
| Regulators | Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF - Autoritatea de Supraveghere Financiară) |
| Licensing Fee | $10,000 |
| Licensing Fee Details | MiCA CASP license application fee approximately EUR 10,000; ongoing annual supervision fees apply |
| Permitted Business Models | Exchange, Custody, Transfer Services, Execution of Orders, Placement, Advisory, Portfolio Management |
| Permitted Activities | Trading, Custody, Transfer, Advisory, Portfolio Management per MiCA framework |
| Restricted Activities | Privacy coins may face restrictions; services must comply with AML/CFT requirements |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | No |
| Derivatives Allowed | Yes |
| RWA Tokenization Allowed | Yes |
| App Store Listing Allowed | Yes |
| Crypto Custody Allowed | Yes |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | No |
| Local AML Director Required | Yes |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Required Share Capital | $200,000 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | N/A for gambling |
| Business Plan Required | Comprehensive business plan including technical infrastructure, game catalog, marketing strategy, responsible gambling measures |
| Personnel Required | Directors, AML Officer, Technical Staff, Responsible Gambling Officer |
| Insurance Required | Yes |
| Insurance Details | Financial guarantees of EUR 2-5 million depending on activity type required |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | ONJN maintains public registry of licensed operators at https://onjn.gov.ro |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | No |
| Regulators | National Gambling Office (ONJN - Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc) |
| Licensing Fee | $300,000 |
| Licensing Fee Details | Class I (B2C) annual license fee EUR 300,000; Class II (B2B) annual fee EUR 15,000; GGR tax of 21% with minimum EUR 400,000 |
| Permitted Business Models | B2C (Class I), B2B (Class II) |
| Permitted Activities | Online casino, sports betting, poker, slot machines, bingo (lottery reserved for state) |
| Restricted Activities | Lottery games reserved for National Lottery; slot halls banned in towns under 15,000 population |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | No |
| Physical Inspection Required | Yes |
| Player Fund Segregation | Yes |
| B2B/B2C Separate Requirements | Yes |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | Yes |
| Local AML Director Required | Yes |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Required Share Capital | $125,000 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | FATF and EU compliant |
| Business Plan Required | 3-year business plan with financial projections, governance structure, risk management framework, IT systems description |
| Personnel Required | CEO, CFO, Compliance Officer, AML Officer, Internal Auditor |
| Insurance Required | Yes |
| Insurance Details | Professional indemnity insurance required; amount varies by activity type |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 2 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | BNR public register of authorized institutions |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | No |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | Yes |
| Regulators | National Bank of Romania (BNR - Banca Națională a României) |
| Licensing Fee | $5,000 |
| Licensing Fee Details | Application fee approximately EUR 5,000; ongoing supervision fees apply based on activity volume |
| Permitted Business Models | Payment Institution (PI), Electronic Money Institution (EMI), Account Information Service Provider (AISP) |
| Permitted Activities | Payment services, e-money issuance, money transfers, payment initiation, account information services |
| Restricted Activities | Banking services require separate banking license from BNR |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | Yes |