The cost of setting up a company in Romania in 2026 typically ranges between €700 and €1,700 for most foreign investors, depending on the legal structure, professional assistance required and post-incorporation services.
For the vast majority of international entrepreneurs, investors and SMEs, the preferred vehicle is a Romanian Limited Liability Company (SRL). Government fees remain relatively low, with the largest costs usually arising from legal assistance, registered office services, sworn translations, apostilles, VAT registration, banking support and ongoing accounting.
Importantly, the minimum share capital is not a government fee. It is deposited into the company’s bank account and becomes part of the company’s own equity, remaining available for business purposes after incorporation.
If your structure involves foreign corporate shareholders, regulated activities, remote incorporation through a Power of Attorney, VAT registration or sector-specific licensing, your total setup costs may be higher than those of a straightforward single-shareholder SRL.
The good news is that Romania remains one of the most cost-efficient jurisdictions in the European Union for establishing a business, particularly when compared with Western European countries offering similar access to the EU Single Market.
How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a Company in Romania?
The minimum legal cost of incorporating a Romanian company is often surprisingly low. However, the total investment required depends on much more than the statutory incorporation procedure.
Several factors influence the final budget, including:
- the type of legal entity you choose;
- whether the shareholder is an individual or a foreign company;
- whether documents require apostilles or sworn translations;
- whether incorporation is completed remotely through a Power of Attorney;
- whether a registered office is needed;
- whether VAT registration is required;
- whether the business operates in a regulated industry;
- whether ongoing legal and accounting support is required after incorporation.
For this reason, two companies incorporated on the same day may have significantly different setup costs.
For example, a Romanian software consultancy owned by a single individual may require little more than the incorporation documents, a registered office and accounting services.
By contrast, a U.S. corporation opening a Romanian subsidiary may need corporate approvals, shareholder resolutions, registry extracts, notarised Powers of Attorney, apostilles, certified translations, VAT planning, banking support and additional legal documentation before the company can begin operating.
As a result, the total cost of incorporation should always be viewed as an investment in establishing a compliant business structure rather than simply paying government filing fees.
Another common misconception concerns share capital.
Romanian law currently requires newly incorporated SRLs to have a minimum share capital of RON 500. Furthermore, companies whose annual net turnover exceeds RON 400,000 must increase their share capital to at least RON 5,000 by the end of the following financial year. Failure to comply with this requirement may expose the company to legal consequences, including the possibility of dissolution under the applicable legislation.
It is important to understand that share capital is not a tax or an incorporation fee. The money belongs to the company itself and forms part of its equity. Once the company has been incorporated and its bank account becomes operational, these funds remain available to finance normal business activities, subject to the company’s legal obligations.
Finally, investors should distinguish between mandatory government costs and professional service costs.
Government fees generally represent only a small portion of the overall incorporation budget. For most foreign investors, the larger costs arise from legal advice, document preparation, translations, registered office services, tax structuring, banking assistance and post-incorporation compliance.
What Type of Company Should Investors Open in Romania?
One of the first and most important decisions any foreign investor must make is choosing the appropriate legal structure.
Although many international articles simply list the available company types, the reality is that most investors only need to evaluate four options:
- SRL (Limited Liability Company)
- SA (Joint Stock Company)
- Romanian Branch
- PFA (Authorised Sole Trader)
Each structure offers different advantages depending on the size of the business, ownership structure, financing plans and long-term commercial objectives.
For the vast majority of foreign entrepreneurs, startups, SMEs and international groups entering Romania for the first time, the Romanian SRL remains the preferred choice.
Which Romanian Business Structure Is Right for You?
If you are… | Recommended Structure |
|---|---|
Foreign entrepreneur starting a business | ✅ SRL |
U.S. company opening a Romanian subsidiary | ✅ SRL |
SaaS or technology startup | ✅ SRL |
Consulting or professional services company | ✅ SRL |
Holding company | ✅ SRL |
Manufacturing business | ✅ SRL (or SA for larger groups) |
Large corporate group raising capital | ✅ SA |
Financial institution or regulated entity | ✅ SA (in many cases) |
Foreign company wanting only a local presence | ✅ Branch |
Freelancer working independently | ✅ PFA |
SRL (Limited Liability Company)
The Societate cu Răspundere Limitată (SRL) is the Romanian equivalent of a private limited liability company and represents the standard vehicle used by foreign investors entering the Romanian market.
It is suitable for:
- startups;
- software companies;
- consulting businesses;
- holding companies;
- e-commerce operations;
- real estate investment vehicles;
- manufacturing companies;
- service businesses;
- Romanian subsidiaries of international groups.
An SRL may be incorporated by a single shareholder or by multiple shareholders, with a maximum of 50 shareholders under Romanian company law.
Liability is limited to each shareholder’s contribution to the company’s share capital, meaning personal assets are generally protected from the company’s obligations.
The current minimum share capital for newly incorporated SRLs is RON 500.
One important point often misunderstood by foreign investors is that this amount does not represent a government fee. It remains the property of the company and becomes part of its equity, meaning it can generally be used for business purposes after incorporation.
From both a legal and commercial perspective, the SRL offers an excellent balance between flexibility, limited liability and relatively low compliance requirements.
For this reason, it has become the default choice for most international founders establishing their first Romanian company.
SA (Joint Stock Company)
A Societate pe Acțiuni (SA) is designed for businesses requiring a more sophisticated corporate structure.
Unlike an SRL, an SA is generally chosen where the company expects:
- institutional investors;
- multiple investment rounds;
- complex shareholder arrangements;
- employee share schemes;
- future public offerings;
- regulated activities requiring enhanced governance.
Romanian law currently requires a minimum share capital of RON 90,000 for an SA.
Beyond the higher capital requirement, an SA is subject to more extensive governance rules, stricter corporate formalities and additional compliance obligations. Shareholder meetings, management structures and reporting requirements are generally more formal than those applicable to an SRL.
Although an SA offers greater flexibility for larger corporate structures, it is rarely necessary for early-stage businesses or foreign subsidiaries that are wholly owned by a single parent company.
Romanian Branch
A Romanian Branch is not a separate legal entity.
Instead, it represents an extension of the foreign parent company, which remains fully liable for all obligations arising from the Romanian branch’s activities.
A branch may be appropriate where an established international company wishes to create a local commercial presence without incorporating a separate Romanian subsidiary.
However, branches often require more extensive documentation from the foreign parent company and can present additional tax, accounting and compliance considerations.
For these reasons, many foreign investors still prefer establishing a Romanian SRL instead of operating through a branch.
PFA (Authorised Sole Trader)
A PFA (Persoană Fizică Autorizată) is primarily intended for individuals carrying out professional or freelance activities.
Although incorporation costs are generally lower than for an SRL, the structure comes with one significant disadvantage: the owner bears unlimited personal liability.
A PFA may be suitable for independent consultants, freelancers or professionals providing services in their own name.
However, it is generally not recommended for foreign investors planning to:
- hire more than 5 employees;
- raise investment;
- acquire business assets;
- develop a scalable company;
- establish a Romanian subsidiary;
- operate through a corporate group.
For those objectives, an SRL almost always provides a more appropriate legal and commercial framework.
Which Structure Do We Usually Recommend?
Although every investment should be assessed individually, our experience advising international entrepreneurs and companies shows a clear pattern.
If you are:
- establishing your first Romanian business;
- opening a European subsidiary;
- launching a technology or SaaS company;
- investing in Romanian real estate;
- creating a holding company;
- expanding an existing international business into the EU;
An SRL will almost always be the most practical, flexible and cost-efficient solution.
Structures such as an SA or a Branch become more attractive only where specific commercial, regulatory or financing considerations justify the additional complexity.
Mandatory Costs When Setting Up an SRL in Romania
Many investors assume that incorporating a Romanian company involves paying a single government fee. In reality, company formation consists of several distinct legal requirements, some imposed by law and others depending on the investor’s chosen setup.
The good news is that Romania remains one of the least expensive jurisdictions in the European Union from a government-fee perspective. For most foreign investors, the statutory costs represent only a small fraction of the overall incorporation budget.
Professional assistance, translations, registered office services and banking support usually account for the largest share of total costs.
The mandatory costs below apply to almost every Romanian SRL.
Share Capital
The first mandatory requirement is the company’s share capital.
Since the latest amendments to Romanian company law, every newly incorporated SRL must have a minimum share capital of RON 500.
An important distinction should be made between share capital and government fees.
Unlike a filing fee or tax, the share capital does not leave the business. It is deposited into the company’s bank or payment account and becomes part of the company’s equity. Once incorporation is completed, those funds remain available for the company’s business activities, provided they are used in accordance with normal accounting and corporate rules.
For many foreign investors, this means the RON 500 should not be viewed as an incorporation expense but as the company’s initial working capital.
Capital Increase Requirement
Romanian law also introduced a capital maintenance rule designed to strengthen the financial position of companies as they grow.
If an SRL exceeds an annual net turnover of RON 400,000, its share capital must be increased to at least RON 5,000 by the end of the following financial year.
Failure to comply within the statutory deadline may ultimately expose the company to sanctions, including the possibility of judicial dissolution.
Trade Register (ONRC) Registration
Every Romanian company must be registered with the National Trade Register Office (ONRC) before it can begin carrying on business.
The Trade Register is responsible for verifying the incorporation documents, registering the company and issuing the official registration certificate together with the company’s unique registration number.
A standard SRL incorporation file generally includes:
- incorporation application;
- Articles of Association;
- company name reservation;
- proof of the registered office;
- identification documents for shareholders and directors;
- Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) declaration;
- declarations regarding operating conditions;
- tax registration information;
- fiscal record information where applicable;
- proof of payment of any applicable legal tariffs.
Applications may be submitted:
- electronically using a qualified electronic signature;
- in person;
- by courier;
- by post.
Although the administrative process itself has become significantly more digital in recent years, preparing a legally compliant incorporation file remains one of the most important parts of the registration process.
Official Gazette Publication
After incorporation, the Trade Register arranges for the publication of the company’s incorporation extract in the Romanian Official Gazette (Monitorul Oficial – Part IV).
This publication gives legal publicity to the incorporation and allows third parties to verify certain corporate information.
The current tariff for company-law publications is approximately RON 150 per manuscript page, meaning that for a standard incorporation most investors should budget around RON 150–200 for this requirement.
Although relatively small compared to professional fees, this remains one of the few mandatory government costs associated with company formation.
Registered Office
Every Romanian company must have a registered office (registered address) before incorporation.
Without a registered office, the Trade Register will reject the incorporation application.
Foreign investors generally choose one of five options:
Option | Suitable For |
|---|---|
Property owned by a shareholder | Local founders |
Commercial lease | Businesses with physical operations |
Lawyer-hosted registered office | Foreign investors |
Virtual office provider | Startups and remote businesses |
Serviced office / coworking space | Companies requiring meeting facilities |
For many international founders, obtaining a registered office is one of the first practical challenges, particularly when they do not yet intend to lease commercial premises.
Using a lawyer-hosted or virtual office often allows the incorporation process to begin immediately while the business searches for its permanent operational location.
Mandatory Costs vs. Practical Costs
One of the biggest misconceptions among foreign investors is that the statutory incorporation costs represent the total budget required to establish a Romanian company.
In practice, they do not.
| Mandatory by Law | Usually Required in Practice |
|---|---|
| Share capital | Legal assistance |
| Registered office service | |
| Official Gazette publication | Accounting setup |
| Sworn translations | |
| Banking assistance | |
| VAT advice (where applicable) |
For this reason, investors should distinguish between the legal minimum required to incorporate a company and the practical budget required to establish a business that is ready to operate from day one.
Legal or Incorporation Service Fees
One of the first decisions investors face is whether to incorporate the company themselves, use a company formation agent or instruct a Romanian law firm.
Although all three options ultimately result in a registered company, the scope of work—and the level of legal protection—can differ significantly.
| Option | Typical Cost | Best For | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY | Lowest | Romanian residents familiar with local procedures | High risk of mistakes, no legal advice, foreign documentation can be challenging |
| Company Formation Agent | Medium | Simple incorporations | Usually limited legal analysis and tax planning |
| Romanian Law Firm | Higher | Foreign investors, groups, regulated businesses | Full legal support, structuring advice, ongoing assistance |
Professional legal fees may include:
- choosing the appropriate legal structure;
- drafting the Articles of Association;
- selecting and reviewing CAEN activity codes;
- analysing shareholder restrictions;
- Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) assessment;
- tax structuring recommendations;
- drafting Powers of Attorney;
- preparing incorporation documents;
- filing the application with the Romanian Trade Register;
- liaising with public authorities until registration is completed.
For investors establishing a long-term business in Romania, legal advice often prevents considerably higher costs later, particularly where ownership structures, VAT, licensing or shareholder arrangements become more complex.
Bank Account Opening
Opening a business bank account is a separate process from incorporating the company. Receiving the company’s registration certificate from the Romanian Trade Register does not automatically create a corporate bank account, and each financial institution carries out its own Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks before activating the account.
Foreign investors generally have two options:
- a traditional Romanian commercial bank; or
- a digital business account with an electronic money institution (EMI), where suitable for the company’s business model.
For companies with foreign shareholders, complex ownership structures or international payment flows, bank onboarding often becomes one of the longest stages of the entire incorporation process.
Traditional Bank vs Digital Business Account: Cost Comparison
One aspect that is frequently overlooked is the cost of opening the bank account itself.
Many traditional Romanian banks require the company’s director or legal representative to appear in person at a local branch as part of their onboarding process. For foreign investors, this usually means travelling to Romania, which often results in additional expenses for:
- flights;
- accommodation;
- local transportation;
- meals; and
- one or two business days away from work.
In practice, these costs can easily exceed €500, even before considering the value of the investor’s time.
By contrast, many digital business account providers allow the onboarding process to be completed entirely online, meaning there are typically no travel costs associated with opening the account.
| Traditional Romanian Bank | Digital Business Account |
|---|---|
| Director may need to attend a Romanian branch in person | Entire onboarding can often be completed remotely |
| Estimated travel cost: approximately €500+ (flights, hotel, transport and time) | €0 travel cost |
| Longer onboarding in many cases | Often faster onboarding |
| Suitable for businesses requiring local lending or traditional banking products | Ideal for startups, consulting companies, SaaS businesses and many international service providers |
This is why many foreign founders choose to start with a digital business account when their business model allows it, particularly during the early stages of the company’s operations. Where local financing, credit facilities or specific banking products become necessary later, the company can subsequently establish a relationship with a traditional Romanian bank.
VAT Registration
Not every newly incorporated Romanian company needs to register for VAT immediately.
Whether VAT registration is appropriate depends on the company’s activities, expected turnover and commercial plans.
Immediate VAT registration is commonly considered where the business:
- provides B2B services across the European Union;
- imports or exports goods;
- operates an e-commerce business;
- expects taxable turnover above the statutory threshold;
- carries out intra-community acquisitions or supplies.
Applying unnecessarily can increase compliance costs, while delaying registration where it is legally required may create tax exposure.
For this reason, VAT should generally be analysed before incorporation, not afterwards.
Licences and Sector-Specific Approvals
Registering a company does not automatically authorise it to perform every type of business activity.
Certain industries remain subject to additional licensing, authorisation or regulatory approval before operations can begin.
Examples include:
- financial services;
- payment institutions;
- recruitment and employment agencies;
- transport;
- renewable energy;
- pharmaceuticals;
- food production;
- gambling;
- crypto-asset services;
- security services;
- regulated real estate activities.
In many cases, these approvals require additional documentation, professional qualifications, minimum capital, insurance or compliance procedures beyond the standard incorporation process.
Ongoing Costs After Incorporation
Incorporating a Romanian company is only the beginning of its legal and financial lifecycle. Once the company has been registered, a number of ongoing compliance obligations arise immediately, regardless of whether the business has already started generating revenue.
Many foreign investors focus almost exclusively on incorporation costs and overlook the recurring expenses associated with operating a Romanian company. In practice, these ongoing obligations usually represent a much larger financial commitment than the one-time registration costs.
The exact budget depends on the company’s size, turnover, VAT status, number of employees, accounting complexity and whether it carries out domestic or international transactions.
Below are the principal costs every investor should consider before launching a Romanian business.
Accounting and Tax Compliance
Every Romanian company must keep accounting records in accordance with Romanian accounting legislation.
This means that all companies regardless of the nationality of their shareholders must appoint a Romanian authorised accountant or accounting firm responsible for maintaining the company’s books and preparing the mandatory tax and financial reports.
Although many international groups continue to work with their accountants in the United States, the United Kingdom or elsewhere, a Romanian accountant remains legally necessary to ensure compliance with Romanian accounting and tax regulations.
In practice, the most efficient approach is for the Romanian accountant to collaborate directly with the company’s existing finance team abroad. This allows foreign investors to maintain consolidated reporting while ensuring full local compliance.
Monthly accounting fees generally start at around €150 per month for a small company with limited activity but increase depending on:
- number of transactions;
- VAT registration;
- payroll administration;
- SAF-T reporting;
- e-Factura compliance;
- import and export transactions;
- intra-community supplies;
- international group reporting;
- management reporting requirements.
Companies with employees, inventory or multiple revenue streams should expect higher accounting costs than simple holding or consulting companies.
Corporate Income Tax or Micro-Company Tax
Every Romanian company is subject to taxation.
The applicable tax regime depends on several factors, including annual turnover, shareholder structure and the company’s eligibility under Romanian tax legislation.
Broadly speaking, Romanian companies may fall under one of two systems:
Corporate Income Tax
Companies outside the micro-company regime generally pay 16% corporate income tax on taxable profits.
This regime is commonly used by larger businesses, investment companies or entities that do not satisfy the legal conditions for micro-company taxation.
Micro-Company Revenue Tax
Romania continues to offer a simplified taxation regime for qualifying small businesses.
Subject to meeting the statutory conditions including the applicable turnover threshold, shareholder requirements and employment criteria eligible companies may benefit from taxation based on revenue rather than profit.
Because the eligibility rules are amended regularly, investors should review the applicable legislation before incorporation.
Dividend Tax
Once a Romanian company begins generating profits, shareholders may decide to distribute dividends.
From 1 January 2026, dividends distributed by Romanian companies are generally subject to a 16% dividend withholding tax, unless a reduced rate or exemption applies under Romanian law, an applicable double tax treaty or the EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive.
Foreign investors should avoid treating dividend taxation as a standalone issue.
The overall tax position may also depend on:
- the shareholder’s country of residence;
- applicable tax treaties;
- beneficial ownership rules;
- foreign tax credits;
- group structure;
- holding companies;
- transfer pricing;
- cross-border financing.
For this reason, dividend planning should ideally form part of the company’s initial tax structure rather than being considered only when profits are distributed.
Payroll Costs
Companies employing staff in Romania should also budget for payroll-related taxes and social security contributions.
Romanian payroll obligations include:
- employee income tax;
- pension contributions;
- health insurance contributions;
- employer labour insurance contribution.
The total employment cost therefore extends beyond the employee’s gross salary.
For foreign investors unfamiliar with the Romanian payroll system, obtaining payroll support from a local accounting provider is usually the most efficient solution.
Registered Office Renewal
If your company uses a lawyer-hosted or virtual registered office, this service is typically renewed annually and should be included in your long-term operating budget.
Unlike a physical office lease, a registered office serves as the company’s official legal address for correspondence with the Romanian Trade Register, tax authorities and other public institutions. It does not necessarily have to be the location from which the company conducts its day-to-day business.
Depending on the provider, the annual service may include:
- use of the registered office address;
- receipt of official correspondence;
- mail scanning and electronic delivery;
- forwarding original documents;
- notification of communications received from Romanian authorities;
- assistance with registered office renewals and corporate filings.
For many foreign investors, this is the most practical solution during the first years of operation, particularly if the business is managed remotely or does not require permanent office space.
Typical Company Formation Timeline
Stage | Typical Time |
|---|---|
Company name reservation | Instantly through LegalHunt Platform |
Preparation of incorporation documents | 1 business day |
Apostilles, notarisation and translations (if applicable) | 1–10+ business days |
Submission to the Romanian Trade Register | Same day with the documents execution |
ONRC review and registration | Usually 1 business day* |
Company registration certificate issued | Immediately after approval |
Bank account opening | 2–15+ business days |
VAT registration (if applicable) | Additional time depending on the application |
According to ONRC, complete applications are generally resolved within one working day from registration. Additional documents may extend the process.
Why Does the Process Sometimes Take Longer?
One of the biggest misconceptions about company formation in Romania is the claim that it can be completed “in one day.”
In practice, this usually refers official Trade Register processing time, not to the entire incorporation project.
At LegalHunt, the incorporation process is fully digital. Investors complete the onboarding through the LegalHunt Platform, upload the required documents, complete the necessary questionnaires and receive legal guidance throughout the process. Once the incorporation file has been reviewed and completed by our team, it is submitted electronically to the Romanian Trade Register.
From that moment onwards, the timeline is largely outside our control.
Although the National Trade Register Office (ONRC) generally states that complete applications are resolved within one working day, each file is individually examined by a registrar. Depending on the workload and the specific circumstances of the application, the registrar may:
- approve the incorporation in 3-5 business days since submission date;
- request additional documents or clarifications;
- require amendments to certain documents before registration;
- extend the review period until the requested information has been provided.
For this reason, the LegalHunt Platform significantly reduces delays during the preparation and filing stage, but the final registration timeline ultimately depends on the Trade Register’s review process.
Other factors that may also extend the overall timeline include:
- obtaining corporate documents from foreign registries;
- apostilles or legalisation;
- sworn Romanian translations;
- registered office arrangements;
- VAT registration (where applicable);
- corporate bank account onboarding.
As a result, while the incorporation file can often be prepared and submitted within a very short period through the LegalHunt Platform, most foreign investors should expect the overall company formation process to take approximately 5 to 10 working days, assuming that all required documentation is available.
What Can Increase the Cost of Setting Up a Company in Romania?
Although government fees for incorporating a Romanian company are relatively modest, the overall cost of the project can vary considerably depending on the investor’s circumstances and the complexity of the proposed business.
In practice, the incorporation itself is rarely what increases the budget. Additional costs are usually generated by more complex ownership structures, cross-border documentation requirements or regulatory obligations that arise before the company can begin operating.
The most common factors include the following.
More Complex Shareholder Structures
Projects involving multiple shareholders or foreign corporate shareholders generally require more documentation than a company owned by a single individual.
Depending on the ownership structure, additional documents may include:
- company registry extracts;
- certificates of good standing;
- board or shareholder resolutions;
- Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) documentation;
- additional corporate approvals.
Where the ownership structure involves several jurisdictions or multiple holding companies, additional legal review is often required before incorporation.
Foreign Documentation Requirements
For international investors, documentation issued outside Romania frequently represents one of the largest sources of additional cost.
Depending on the country where the documents originate, investors may need:
- apostilles or legalisation;
- sworn Romanian translations;
- certified corporate extracts;
- bilingual corporate documentation;
- international courier services.
A single missing apostille or incorrectly prepared document can delay the incorporation process and generate unnecessary translation, courier and notarial expenses.
Tax and Regulatory Requirements
Certain business models require additional registrations immediately after incorporation.
These may include:
- VAT registration;
- EORI registration;
- sector-specific licences;
- regulated activity approvals;
- additional tax registrations.
Similarly, companies operating in sectors such as financial services, recruitment, transport, healthcare, energy, crypto-assets or gambling may need licences before commencing business, increasing both the project budget and implementation timeline.
Banking and Operational Setup
Opening the company is only one part of establishing a Romanian business.
Depending on the chosen banking solution and operational setup, investors may also incur additional costs for:
- corporate bank account assistance;
- enhanced KYC documentation;
- registered office services;
- physical office lease;
- payroll implementation;
- employment registration.
Businesses intending to hire staff immediately or lease commercial premises should include these costs in their initial budget rather than treating them as post-incorporation expenses.
How to Reduce Company Formation Costs Without Taking Legal Risks
Every investor wants to keep incorporation costs under control. However, reducing costs should never come at the expense of legal compliance or proper business planning.
In our experience, the most expensive mistakes rarely occur because investors spend too much during incorporation. They occur because important decisions are postponed, documents are prepared incorrectly or the wrong business structure is chosen from the outset.
The good news is that most unnecessary costs can be avoided with proper planning.
Below are some of the most effective ways to reduce your setup budget without increasing legal or tax risks.
1. Choose an SRL Unless a More Complex Structure Is Truly Necessary
For most foreign entrepreneurs and international companies, an SRL (Limited Liability Company) remains the most practical and cost-effective structure.
Compared with a Joint Stock Company (SA), an SRL requires:
- lower initial capital;
- fewer corporate formalities;
- simpler governance;
- lower ongoing administrative costs;
- greater flexibility for owner-managed businesses.
Unless your project involves institutional investors, public fundraising or sector-specific regulatory requirements, an SRL will usually provide everything needed for a successful Romanian operation.
Choosing a more complex structure too early often creates unnecessary legal costs that provide little commercial benefit.
2. Prepare Shareholder Documents Before Starting
One of the most common causes of delays—and additional costs—is incomplete documentation.
Before beginning the incorporation process, prepare all required shareholder documents, including:
- passports or identity cards;
- company registry extracts (for corporate shareholders);
- board or shareholder resolutions;
- Ultimate Beneficial Owner information;
Obtaining these documents before drafting the incorporation file can significantly reduce delays and avoid repeated translations, courier costs and amended filings.
3. Confirm Your Business Activities (CAEN Codes) in Advance
Many investors underestimate the importance of selecting the correct CAEN activity codes.
Adding or changing activities after incorporation requires a separate corporate procedure, additional documentation and new Trade Register filings.
Some regulated activities also require licences or authorisations before operations can begin.
Taking time to select the correct CAEN codes before incorporation is usually far less expensive than amending the company’s objects of activity later.
4. Reserve More Than One Company Name
Many incorporation projects are delayed because the preferred company name has already been registered or is considered too similar to an existing business.
Preparing two or three alternative names before filing the application helps avoid unnecessary delays and repeated name reservation requests.
5. Decide on VAT Registration Early
VAT registration is one of the most common areas where investors end up paying for additional work after incorporation.
Before registering the company, consider questions such as:
- Will you invoice customers within the European Union?
- Will you import or export goods?
- Will you operate an e-commerce business?
- Do you expect to exceed the Romanian VAT threshold?
- Will your customers require a VAT number from day one?
Making this decision early avoids duplicate filings and unnecessary amendments shortly after incorporation.
6. Use a Virtual Office Service If You Do Not Yet Lease Premises
Many foreign investors postpone incorporation because they have not yet secured office space in Romania.
In reality, there is no requirement to lease commercial premises before establishing a company.
Using a virtual office service allows the incorporation process to begin immediately while giving investors time to identify the right operational location later.
For startups and international businesses testing the Romanian market, this is often the most efficient solution.
7. Prepare Bilingual Corporate Documents
Although Romanian is the official language of company registration, many international groups choose to prepare bilingual corporate documentation.
This is particularly useful where:
- directors are based abroad;
- shareholders do not speak Romanian;
- future investors may review corporate records;
- the Romanian company forms part of a multinational group.
Preparing bilingual documents from the beginning can reduce misunderstandings and minimise translation costs in future transactions.
8. Avoid Multiple Service Providers
A common mistake is hiring separate providers for legal work, accounting, registered office services, translations and corporate administration.
While each provider may appear competitively priced, managing multiple advisers often leads to duplicated work, inconsistent documentation and longer project timelines.
Using one coordinated team generally reduces both cost and administrative complexity.
Set Up and Manage Your Romanian Company Entirely Online with LegalHunt
For many foreign investors, incorporating a Romanian company is only the first challenge.
Managing it afterwards is often far more complicated.
Traditional company formation usually involves communicating separately with lawyers, accountants, registered office providers, translators, banks and public authorities.
Documents are exchanged by email, deadlines are tracked manually and important corporate records are often scattered across multiple systems.
As the business grows, so does the administrative burden.
At LegalHunt, we believed there was a better way.
Instead of treating incorporation as a one-time legal service, we developed a digital platform that supports the entire lifecycle of a Romanian company—from the first incorporation documents to ongoing accounting, compliance and corporate management.
Whether you are opening your first Romanian subsidiary or managing multiple international entities, the platform gives you a single place from which to monitor your business, communicate with your advisers and keep your company compliant.
Incorporate Your Company 100% Online
The LegalHunt Platform has been designed specifically for international founders and foreign investors who want to establish a Romanian company without unnecessary paperwork, multiple emails or physical meetings.
Instead of managing dozens of documents manually, the platform guides you through a structured digital workflow.
You can:
- complete the incorporation questionnaire online;
- upload shareholder and director documents securely;
- receive automatic document validation before submission;
- choose and review your CAEN activity codes;
- track the incorporation process in real time;
- communicate directly with your LegalHunt lawyer through the platform;
- receive notifications whenever additional information is required.
For many investors, this removes one of the biggest frustrations of cross-border company formation—uncertainty about what happens next.
One Dashboard for Your Entire Romanian Business
Unlike traditional incorporation providers, the LegalHunt Platform does not stop once your company has been registered.
Instead, it becomes the central dashboard for managing your Romanian business.
Depending on the services you choose, the platform can centralise:
Built for International Investors
The platform has been developed with foreign founders in mind.
This means the workflow is designed around the practical issues international businesses typically face when entering Romania.
For example, investors can manage Romanian and English documentation in one place, monitor the status of ongoing requests, communicate with both lawyers and accountants through a single interface and keep all corporate records organised for future financing, due diligence or audits.
This is particularly valuable for:
- U.S. companies opening European subsidiaries;
- UK entrepreneurs expanding after Brexit;
- investment funds;
- holding companies;
- technology startups;
- manufacturing groups;
- businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions.
Traditional Company Formation vs LegalHunt
Traditional Process | LegalHunt Platform |
|---|---|
Multiple emails | One central dashboard |
Separate lawyer and accountant | Integrated legal and accounting support |
Manual document collection | Secure digital document upload |
No real-time status updates | Live incorporation tracking |
Different providers for each service | One coordinated team |
Paper-based communication | Fully digital workflow |
Separate compliance reminders | Automatic deadline notifications |
Documents stored across multiple systems | Centralised corporate archive |
For many international investors, the difference is not simply convenience.
It is visibility.
Having every corporate document, compliance deadline and adviser accessible through a single platform reduces administrative risk while making it easier to manage the Romanian business alongside operations in other jurisdictions.
Transparent Pricing from the Beginning
One of the most common concerns for foreign investors is not only the incorporation cost itself, but the ongoing cost of maintaining a Romanian company.
While incorporation is generally a one-time expense, every Romanian company will have recurring compliance obligations after registration, including accounting, tax filings, registered office services (where applicable) and ongoing corporate maintenance.
For this reason, LegalHunt provides clients with a transparent overview of both the initial incorporation costs and the expected ongoing maintenance costs, allowing investors to budget accurately from the outset.
Rather than working with multiple providers for legal, accounting and corporate administration services, many clients choose to continue under a monthly maintenance subscription, which can include accounting, tax compliance, registered office renewal, corporate maintenance and access to the LegalHunt Platform.
This approach gives investors greater cost certainty while ensuring that the company remains compliant throughout its lifecycle.
How LegalHunt Helps Investors Reduce Costs
Reducing costs should not mean taking shortcuts.
Instead, it should mean removing unnecessary work, avoiding repeated filings and ensuring that the company is structured correctly from day one.
That is exactly why we developed the LegalHunt Platform.
Rather than asking investors to coordinate lawyers, accountants, translators and corporate service providers through dozens of emails and spreadsheets, the platform centralises the entire incorporation process into a single digital workflow.
Through the platform, investors can:
- complete the incorporation questionnaire online;
- upload documents securely;
- receive automatic document validation before submission;
- obtain guidance on selecting the appropriate CAEN activity codes;
- follow the incorporation process in real time;
- communicate with both lawyers and accountants through one interface;
- receive a transparent cost estimate before the project begins;
- access Romanian and English documentation from a single dashboard.
Because every step is coordinated through one platform, unnecessary amendments, duplicated work and communication delays are significantly reduced.
More importantly, the same platform continues to support the company after incorporation, helping investors manage accounting, compliance, corporate records, registered office services and ongoing legal matters from a single place.
Set Up the Right Romanian Company From Day One
LegalHunt helps foreign investors understand the full incorporation cost, select the right structure, complete registration, and manage ongoing compliance.
