Original document : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-romania
Change description : 2020-08-10 17:23:00: Updated to include additional information on residency and a new section about how to get your professional qualifications recognised [Brexit]
Showing diff : 2020-01-23 18:25:25 +00:00..2020-08-10 16:24:19 +00:00
Guidance
Official information for UK nationals moving to or living in Romania, including guidance on Brexit, residency, healthcarehealthcare, driving and driving.the Withdrawal Agreement.
You should:
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The British Embassy regularly holds events across Romania for UK nationals.
Attend one of our citizens’ outreach meetings to keep up to date on working and living in RomaniaRomania. afterDates Brexit.for any new events will be advertised on the embassy’s social media channels, including Facebook and Twitter.
You can also:
The Withdrawal Agreement sets out the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and provides for a deal on citizens’ rights. It sets out a transition period which lasts until 31 December 2020. During this time you can continue to live, work and study in the EU:EU Preparebroadly as you did before 31 January 2020.
If you are resident in Romania at the end of the transition period, you will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, and your rights will be protected for Brexitas long as you remain resident in Romania.
Any rights that are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement will be the subject of future negotiations. Read this guidance page for more information
In the meantime, make sure you are registered as a resident in Romania. We will update this guidance as soon as more information becomes available.
You should also read our guidance on living in Europe
.
Check the entry requirements for Romania.
If you are resident in Romania before the transition period ends on 31 December 2020, you will be able to stay.
You must register as a Romanian resident if you want to stay in Romania for more than 3 months. You will obtain a certificate from the General Inspectorate for Immigration (Inspectoratul Roman pentru Imigrari).
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If you are living in Romania or move there permanently before 31 December 2020, you’ll have life-long healthcare rights in Romania as you do now, provided you remain resident.
You must register for healthcare as a resident in Romania.
Read our guidance on who can access healthcare in Romania and how to register.
If you live in Romania and receive an exportable UK pension, contribution-based Employment Support Allowance or another exportable benefit, you may currently be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. You will need to apply for a certificate of entitlement known as an S1 certificate.
Read our guidance on how to get an S1 form.
If you are resident in Romania, you must not use a UK-issued EHIC to access healthcare in Romania.
When you travel from Romania for a temporary stay in another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, you may use an EHIC to access state-provided healthcare. During that short stay:
IfThere will be no changes to your healthcare access before 31 December 2020. You can also continue to use your EHIC, as you aredid abefore, student,during readthis thetime.
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healthcare and studying abroad.
Youfinding can find English-speaking doctors in Romania.
You must checkchecking your prescriptions are legal in Romania.Romania
ThereThe willrules beon notravel changeswill tostay yourthe healthcaresame accessuntil beforethe 31end Decemberof 2020.the Youimplementation canperiod alsoon continue31 toDecember use2020. yourDuring EHIC,this astime you didcan before,continue duringto thistravel time.
Ifto youcountries a’rein livingthe inSchengen Romaniaarea or moveelsewhere there permanently before 31 December 2020, you’ll have life-long healthcare rights in Romaniathe asEU youwith doyour now,UK provided you remain resident.passport.
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Romania.
Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip. Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; you do not need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this.stay.
You’ll need to renew your passport before travelling if you do not have enough time left on your passport.
The rules on travel will stay the same until the end of the implementation period on 31 December 2020. During this time you can continue to travel to countries in the Schengen area or elsewhere in the EU with your UK passport.
We will update these pages with details of any changes to the rules as soon as information is available. You should sign up for updates to this guidance.
If you intendare toregistered workas a resident in Romania, you musthave register with the Romanianright Officeto forwork Immigrants.in YouRomania. canRead alsoour registerguidance ason self-employed.working Thein Generalan InspectorateEU for Immigrationcountry. has more information.
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You may need to apply for a:
If you are resident in Romania afteron Brexitor before 31 December 2020, you will maintain your right to work, as long as you remain resident in Romania.
YourIf you are resident in Romania on or before 31 December 2020, your right to workstudy will stay the same, as long as you remain resident in Romania.
If you have already been recognised by an EU country as holding valid professional qualifications, this will remain valid after 31 January 2020.
If you have not had your professional qualifications recognised, you can submit an application under the current rules until 31 December 2020.
Read the Romanian government guidance on how to get your professional qualifications recognised
The UK has a double-taxationdouble taxation agreement with Romania to ensure peopleyou do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.
Existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Romania have not changed.
Read guidance about:
You should obtain professional advice on paying tax in Romania. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Romania.
Find out if you can pay National Insurance while abroad so that you protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.
If you are employed or self-employed in the EU or the EEA and you have a UK-issued A1/E101 form, you will remain subject to UK legislation until the end date on the form.
Brexit will not change existing double-taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Romania. Send your queries about double taxation to the relevant tax authority.
You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming the UK State Pension in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.
If you retire in Romania, you can claim:
If you receive a ‘life certificate’ form in the post, you must fill it in promptly otherwise your payments may be suspended.
YouThere canwill continuebe no changes before 31 December 2020 to receivethe yourrules on claiming the UK State Pension if you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland andas youa canresult stillof claimthe your UK Stateleaving Pension.the EU.
If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020 you will get your UK State Pension uprated every year for as long as you continue to live there. This will happen even if you start claiming your pension on or after 1 January 2021, as long as you meet the qualifying conditions explained in the new State Pension guidance..
If you are living in Romania by 31 December 2020, you will be able to count future social security contributions towards meeting the qualifying conditions for your UK State Pension.
If you work and pay social security contributions in Romania, you will still be able to add your UK social security contributions towards your Romanian pension. This will happen even if you claim your pension after the31 endDecember of the implementation period.2020.
ThereIf willyou beare noconsidering changesmoving beforeto 31Romania Decemberon 2020or toafter 1 January 2021 and you are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, the rules depend on claimingnegotiations UKwith the EU and may change. Check our guidance on benefits and pensions in the EU.
You can continue to receive your UK State Pension if you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland asand ayou resultcan ofstill theclaim your UK leavingState Pension.
You will need to tell the EU.UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
You may still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Romania. You must:
Many income-related benefits such as pension credit and housing benefit cannot be paid to you if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
You can request proof of the time you’ve worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.
You may be entitled to Romanian benefits. To find out if you are entitled to Romanian benefits and how to claim, you can:
There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming UK benefits in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.
If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020, you will continue to receive any UK benefits you already receive. This will continue for as long as you live there and meet all other eligibility requirements.
If you work and pay social security contributions in Romania, your UK social security contributions will be taken into account when applying for Romanian contributions-based benefits. This will happen even if you claim contributions-based benefits after 31 December 2020.
If you are considering moving to Romania on or after 1 January 2021 and you are not covered by the endWithdrawal ofAgreement, the implementationrules period.depend on negotiations with the EU. and may change. Read our guidance on benefits and pensions in the EU.
Driving licence rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020.
If you are resident in Romania, there is currently no requirement to exchange your UK licence for a local one. You can still use your Romanian licence in the UK for short visits or exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test if you return to live in the UK.
If you are in Romania and your UK driving licence is lost, stolen or expires, you will not be able to renew it with the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). You will need to apply to the DVLA for a certificate of entitlement in Romanian to be able to apply for a Romanian driving licence.
For information on driving in Romania, read the guidance on:
Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.
You must read the EU´s guidance on car registration rules and taxes in Romania. You may be exempt from some of these taxes. If so, you will need certificates of exemption.
DrivingYou licencecannot rulesvote willin staylocal themunicipal, samenational untilor 31European DecemberParliament 2020.elections in Romania.
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
If you’re resident in Romania, you can vote in local municipal and European parliamentary elections.
After Brexit, you will no longer be eligible to vote in local and European Parliament elections in Romania.
If your child is born in Romania, you will need to register a birth abroad.
If someone dies in Romania, you must:
Find out how you can get married abroad.
Find out about notarial and documentary services for UK nationals in Romania.
Read guidance on how to buy property abroad.
The current rules on buying land in Romania will stay the same until 31 December 2020. We will update these pages with details of any changes to the rules as soon as information is available.
Current pet travel rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020.
If you’re travelling with your pet for the first time you must visit your vet to get a pet passport.
Read guidance on bringing your pet travelto the UK.
You can dial the European emergency number 112. It is the only emergency number in Romania.
If you’re the victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad, contact the British Embassy Bucharest.
Tell the UK and Romanian authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax, access to services and bringing family members.
Note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information must be obtained from the Romanian authorities. The FCO will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Updated to include additional information on residency and a new section about how to get your professional qualifications recognised
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement.
Brexit Update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.
EU Exit update: we have added new information on returning to the UK, updated the passports and visa section and added the latest on pensions post-Brexit
EU Exit update: Added the latest statement from the Romanian Government on UK Citizens' Rights in Romania in the EU Exit section.
We have added the latest announcement from the Romanian Government.
We have added the registration link for the outreach event aimed at UK nationals in Brasov and the surrounding region.
Registration for Cluj, Bucharest, Iasi and Timisoara outreach events
EU Exit update: added link to citizens outreach meetings in Romania to EU Exit section
We have updated the contact details you need to apply for an S1 form.
EU Exit update - Updated information on access to healthcare
EU Exit update: new information about voting rights added to Voting section
EU Exit update: updated information on pensions and driving.
EU Exit update: New information in residency and visa section on draft withdrawal agreement in principle between the UK and EU. Plus information on travelling with pets in Europe in Pets section.
Updated March 2018
First published.
2024-06-11 14:19
The “Visas and residency” section has been revised to reflect the introduction of the EU Entry/Exit Scheme (EES), scheduled for Autumn 2024.
2024-04-19 18:53
Passports and travel section updated after Romania joined Schengen for border control-free travel by air and sea.
2022-03-11 08:00
Important information in the Working in Romania, and National insurance sections if you work in Romania, even it if it is for an employer based in the UK.
2022-01-01 07:00
Visas and residency guidance updated, following the 31 December 2021 residency deadline for people with rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
2021-09-30 09:13
Guidance reviewed for Money, tax and banking, Benefits, Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships, and Useful information sections.
2021-03-26 11:13
Updated with additional details on how to apply for the new residency card
2021-03-03 13:48
Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines
2020-09-07 12:02
Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021
2020-08-10 17:23
Updated to include additional information on residency and a new section about how to get your professional qualifications recognised
2020-01-23 16:45
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
2019-05-07 13:54
EU Exit update: we have added new information on returning to the UK, updated the passports and visa section and added the latest on pensions post-Brexit