Foreign athletes who can contribute to promoting Romania’s image through outstanding performances, as well as cultural and scientific personalities, will be able to receive the Romanian citizenship quicker, through a simplified procedure. These changes appear in an emergency ordinance recently debated by the Government, reports local Profit.ro.

Under the current law, one can get Romanian citizenship only after living in Romania for at least 8 years, or after being married to a Romanian citizen for at least 5 years. These periods can be reduced to half if the applicant is a citizen of another EU member state, a refugee, or a businessman who has invested more than EUR 1 million in Romania.

Current provisions also set reduced periods for "internationally recognized personalities.” However, this phrase was split into two categories in the new normative act to include athletes and personalities active in culture, sports, art, and science.

Foreign athletes or personalities will be able to apply for Romanian citizenship at Romania’s diplomatic missions or consular offices located in the country where they live. The request will be sent to the National Citizenship Authority, together with the diplomatic mission’s view. Besides the application, the person requesting Romanian citizenship should also submit a statement proving that he meets the conditions of promoting the Romanian civilization and spirituality.

Over 61,000 people got Romanian citizenship in 2014

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com