Property in Romania: buying and support
Bucharest, Cluj, Brașov: buildings and apartments are open to foreigners; for non-EU citizens land is held through a company.
Why Romania
A growing EU market with a low entry cost
One of the EU's most affordable markets to enter, backed by a developed urban economy in Bucharest and Cluj.
Buildings and apartments — directly to a foreigner
Foreigners buy buildings and apartments directly; EU membership provides standard legal protection for the owner and a clear registration procedure.
Demand from students and the IT sector
Bucharest and Cluj are the two main centres of rental demand, driven largely by students and the IT sector.
Honestly, about land: only through a company
For non-EU citizens, land ownership goes through a Romanian company — this adds administration and reporting.
Honestly, about older buildings: restitution and seismic risk
In older housing stock there are properties with unresolved restitution issues — we check the title history before the deal. In Bucharest, some older buildings carry an official seismic-hazard classification — we check this by address.
Smaller budget — we'll source it
Tell us the amount and the goal, and we'll come back with options from developers and partners that are not in the catalogue.
Send a requestHow the purchase works
- 1
We map your goal
Bucharest, Cluj or the coast, and budget.
- 2
We check the property in the registry
The cadastral-mortgage registry: owner, encumbrances, title history.
- 3
We determine the deal structure
A building or apartment — to an individual; a plot for a non-EU citizen — to a Romanian company.
- 4
Preliminary contract with a deposit
We fix the terms.
- 5
Notarial deed
In Romania the deal is certified by a notary.
- 6
Title registration
We register the title in the cadastral-mortgage registry.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner buy property in Romania?+
Non-EU citizens buy apartments and buildings in their own name. The restriction concerns land: a plot is held through a Romanian company. EU citizens buy land on general terms.
Who handles the transaction?+
A notary. They verify the seller's title, attest the contract and file for registration in the land and mortgage register. The notary's tariff depends on the value of the property and forms a substantial part of transaction costs.
Does buying property grant residency in Romania?+
No. A residence permit is obtained on grounds unrelated to a purchase: work, study, business or family reunification. Owning a home may evidence accommodation when applying.
What is restitution and why does it matter?+
It is the return of property nationalised during the socialist period to former owners or their heirs. Older housing stock can carry unresolved claims. The title history is examined before the deal — this is a risk specific to Romania.
What is the seismic risk in Bucharest?+
Some of Bucharest's older buildings carry an official seismic hazard classification, and it is public. The classification affects both safety and the property's liquidity on resale. It is checked for the specific address before purchase.
What taxes does the owner pay?+
Annually, local building tax at a rate set by the municipality, with different rates for residential and non-residential property. On purchase, the main costs fall on the notary's tariff and registration of title.
Where is rental demand in Romania?+
Principally Bucharest and Cluj, where demand comes from students and the IT sector, so letting is fairly steady through the year. The coast and the Carpathian resorts are seasonal, and annual yield there must be modelled with vacancy in mind.
Do you have property in Romania?+
Not in the public catalogue at present. If the market interests you, send us a request — we will source through our partner network and help with the transaction structure if you need a property with land.
Overview
Romania is a growing EU market with a relatively low entry price. Foreigners buy buildings and apartments directly; non-EU citizens hold land through a Romanian company.
Why buy here
One of the more affordable EU markets to enter, with developed urban economies in Bucharest and Cluj. EU membership provides standard legal protection of ownership and a clear registration procedure.
Taxes, costs and yield
Benchmarks for taxes, purchase and holding costs and rental yield. Exact figures depend on the property and your situation.
The main purchase costs are the notary's tariff and registration. Annually, the owner pays local building tax.
The main purchase costs are the notary's tariff, which depends on the value of the property, and the fee for registering title. Also payable: agency commission and legal fees. Annually the owner pays local building tax; the rate is set by the municipality and differs for residential and non-residential property.
1. Check the property in the land and mortgage register. 2. Decide the structure: a building or apartment in an individual's name; a plot of land, for a non-EU citizen, through a Romanian company. 3. Preliminary contract and deposit. 4. Notarial deed: in Romania a notary attests the transaction. 5. Registration of title in the land and mortgage register.
Romanian banks lend mainly to residents with local income. Credit is available to non-residents only to a limited extent.
Buying property in Romania does not grant residency. Status is obtained on grounds unrelated to a purchase: work, study or business.
Bucharest and Cluj are the two main centres of rental demand, largely driven by students and the IT sector. Coastal and Carpathian resort destinations are markedly seasonal. We do not currently list property in this country in our public catalogue. If the market interests you, send us a request — we will source through our partner network and support the transaction.
What to bear in mind: — land for non-EU citizens is held through a company, which adds administration and filing; — older housing stock can carry unresolved restitution claims — the title history is examined before the deal; — seismic risk in Bucharest: some older buildings carry an official seismic classification, which is checked by address. Checked in September 2026. Thresholds, rates and programme terms change — confirm the current requirements with a lawyer in the country before you buy.
Request a selection in Romania
Figures are indicative, change over time and depend on the specific property and your circumstances. Obtain independent legal, tax and financial advice before any purchase.
Get a personal property shortlist
Tell us your goal and budget — we'll send a curated selection from trusted local partners, with no obligation.