Romanian SRL formation timeline for foreign citizens

How long does it really take to register an SRL in Romania?

The honest answer to "how long to register a company in Romania" is that the Trade Register step is usually the fastest part of the process, while the preparation around it is what shapes your real timeline. When people ask about a Romanian SRL formation timeline, they often picture only the ONRC processing time at the National Trade Register Office. In practice, the clock starts much earlier — when you begin gathering identity documents, deciding on a registered office, choosing your activity codes, and arranging any translations or notarisation your case requires.

For a straightforward file with a single individual shareholder and clean documents, the official registration step at ONRC is often measured in a small number of working days after submission. What we cannot responsibly promise is an exact day count, because the total depends on how quickly your documents come together, whether the registry raises any observations, and how your particular case is structured. Below we break the journey into realistic phases so you can plan with confidence rather than guesswork.

The phases that make up your timeline

It helps to think of the process as several distinct stages rather than one event. Each stage has its own pace, and the slow ones are usually the human steps — collecting paperwork and waiting on translations — not the registry itself. Our how it works page walks through these phases in order, and the Romanian SRL for foreigners overview explains how they apply specifically to non-resident founders.

• Initial review: we look at your citizenship, residence, shareholder structure, and intended activity to flag whether the case is standard or more involved.
• Document gathering: passport or ID copies, proof of address where applicable, and shareholder details; for a foreign legal entity as shareholder, additional corporate documents are usually needed.
• Translations and legalisation: where documents are not in Romanian, authorised translation and, in some cases, an apostille or notarisation may be required.
• Name reservation and file preparation: reserving the company name and drafting the articles of association and supporting forms.
• ONRC submission and processing: the Trade Register reviews the file and, in many standard cases, issues the registration certificate within a few working days.
• Post-registration setup: receiving the registration documents and arranging accounting before the company begins trading.

Why document gathering sets the pace

For foreign citizens, the single biggest variable is documentation. If your passport copy, proof of residence, and shareholder information are ready and clear, preparation moves quickly. If documents need to be translated into Romanian, certified, or apostilled in your home country, that external step can add days or weeks that are entirely outside the registry's control. We always recommend starting the document collection early, in parallel with the other steps, so nothing waits on a single missing item.

Why remote founders should plan signatures ahead

Many of our clients never travel to Romania, which is possible in many standard cases through a power of attorney and remote signing. Arranging that authorisation — including any required translation or notarisation abroad — is a planning step worth scheduling at the start rather than discovering late. When the signature path is organised early, the submission to ONRC tends to follow smoothly.

What can extend the ONRC processing time

Even a well-prepared file can encounter delays, and it is fairer to set expectations than to imply the process is automatic. The Trade Register may issue observations asking for clarification or a corrected document, which pauses the timeline until the file is resupplemented. Incomplete or inconsistent paperwork, an activity that requires special authorisation, or a complex shareholder structure involving a foreign legal entity can all add review time. None of these are unusual, and after document review we can usually tell you which factors are likely to apply to your case.

Public holidays and registry workload also influence ONRC processing time, which is another reason we avoid committing to a fixed number of days. Our aim is a clean first submission, because a file that is accepted without observations is almost always the fastest route to your registration certificate.

Costs alongside the timeline

Planning the schedule naturally raises the question of cost, and the two are connected because translation and document requirements affect both. Romanian SRL formation for foreign citizens starts from €300, a registered office from €150 per year, and a combined remote SRL and registered office package from €450. Later company changes, such as updating shareholders or activity codes, start from €200. Each of these is a starting point only: the final quote depends on your citizenship, your documents, the number of shareholders, whether translations are required, and whether the shareholder is an individual or a foreign legal entity.

Start the process

If you would like a realistic Romanian SRL formation timeline for your own situation, the fastest way forward is to send us a few details so we can assess your case before any clock starts. Message us on WhatsApp or use the contact form with your citizenship, your current country of residence, whether you need a registered office, and your desired business activity. After reviewing what you send, we will outline the likely stages, flag anything that may require extra time, and give you a quote tailored to your documents so you can begin with clear expectations.