Romania is reportedly considering launching a Golden Visa program offering temporary residence permits to non-EU nationals with a clean criminal record in exchange for an investment of at least 400,000 euros, Profit.ro reported.
A draft law analyzed by the outlet introduces the Residency by Investment Program, known as the “Golden Visa” Program which offers non-EU citizens (who are neither members of the EU nor the European Economic Area) a temporary five-year residence permit, which can be renewed in exchange for a minimum investment of 400,000 euros in Romania, a European Union and NATO member.
The initiative comes after US President Donald Trump launched the dedicated “gold card” website, a permanent visa for the United States based on the green card model, sold for $5 million. He said a waiting list is already up and running.
Residency-by-investment programs across individual EU members allow successful applicant to travel visa-free within the bloc and Schengen Area and can be a pathway to eventual citizenship.
Currently, Portugal, Greece, Spain, Malta, and Cyprus offer golden visa programs.
The Romanian draft provides only for a residence visa, which gives the possibility to apply for Romanian citizenship after 5 years.
Eligible investments included for the Golden Visa are: – the acquisition of Romanian government bonds (minimum 400,000 euros) with a maturity of at least 5 years; – the acquisition of real estate properties worth at least 400,000 euros, maintained for at least 5 years; – investments in investment funds authorized by the FSA in the amount of at least EUR 400,000; – the acquisition of shares in Romanian companies listed on the stock exchange worth at least EUR 400,000
There are rules and restrictions. Applicants must prove the legality of the funds, not be on sanctions lists and can’t pose a security risk.
Before granting a visa, candidates will be vetted by the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI), the Foreign Information Service (SIE), the National Office for the Prevention and Combating of Money Laundering (ONPCSB) and other relevant institutions before issuing permits.
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