For businesses that wish to establish a foothold inside the European Union without immediately incurring the expenditures associated with some of the larger markets in Western Europe, starting a business in Romania in 2026 may be an intriguing choice.

But opening a company is more than choosing a name and filling out a registration form.

You need to decide what type of company you want, prepare the right documents, register with the Romanian trade register, understand your tax obligations, arrange banking, and make sure your accounting system is ready from the beginning.

This guide explains how to start a business in Romania in 2026, from the first planning stage through registration and ongoing compliance.

Why Start a Business in Romania?

Romania has several characteristics that make it attractive to entrepreneurs and foreign investors.

One of the biggest advantages is its position within the European Union. A Romanian company operates from an EU member state, which can make Romania particularly interesting for businesses that want to serve European customers or build an EU-based operation.

The country also has a well-developed workforce, particularly in technology, engineering, manufacturing, finance, and business services.

Lower Labour Costs

Compared with many Western European markets, Romania has historically offered relatively competitive labour costs.

For a growing company, this can make a meaningful difference to the overall operating budget, particularly when hiring employees in technology, administration, customer support, engineering, or shared-service roles.

Of course, salary expectations vary considerably depending on the city, industry, experience, and position.

Skilled Workforce

Romania has a strong reputation for technical and professional talent.

The country has developed a particularly active technology and IT sector, while engineering, manufacturing, finance, and business-process services are also important parts of the economy.

For businesses that depend heavily on skilled employees, this can be an important reason to consider Romania.

Strategic European Location

Romania’s location in Southeastern Europe gives businesses access to the wider European market while also placing the country relatively close to markets in Central and Eastern Europe.

For companies involved in manufacturing, logistics, technology, outsourcing, or international services, location can therefore become a significant part of the business case.

What Type of Company Should You Start in Romania?

Choosing the right legal structure is one of the first decisions you will make.

Two of the most commonly considered corporate structures are:

• SRL — Societate cu Răspundere Limitată, broadly comparable to a limited liability company
• SA — Societate pe Acțiuni, a joint stock company

The right option depends on the size and nature of your business.

SRL

An SRL is generally the more practical choice for many small and medium-sized businesses.

It can work well for:

• Small businesses
• Family businesses
• Consulting companies
• IT businesses
• Online businesses
• Professional services
• Startups
• Local trading companies

The structure separates the company’s legal identity from that of its owners, subject to the applicable legal rules.

For many first-time entrepreneurs, an SRL is easier to understand and manage than a joint stock company.

SA

An SA is generally more appropriate for larger businesses or companies that require a more formal shareholding structure.

For a small business owner, however, an SA can introduce unnecessary complexity.

How to Start a Company in Romania in 2026

Once you have decided what you want to build and which structure fits your plans, the registration process can be approached step by step.

Step 1: Choose Your Business Activity

Before dealing with registration paperwork, be clear about what the company will actually do.

Think about:

• Products or services
• Target customers
• Where customers will be located
• Whether you will sell online
• Whether you will import or export
• Whether employees will be required
• Whether the activity needs a special licence

Your planned activities will influence the company registration and may also affect your tax and licensing obligations.

Step 2: Choose a Company Name

Your company needs an appropriate name that can be registered under Romanian rules.

The name should be checked for availability before you complete the incorporation process.

It is worth preparing several alternatives rather than becoming attached to one name too early.

A name that sounds perfect may already be unavailable.

You should also consider whether the name works as:

• A website domain
• A brand
• A social media identity
• A future international business name

Remember that registering a company name and protecting a trademark are not necessarily the same thing.

If the name is central to your brand, consider trademark protection separately.

Step 3: Prepare the Articles of Association

The articles of association are an important part of the company’s formation documents.

They establish key information about the business, including matters such as:

• Company name
• Registered office
• Business activities
• Shareholders
• Share capital
• Management
• Ownership structure
• Company rules

This document should be prepared carefully.

A mistake in the formation documents can create unnecessary problems later, particularly if you are dealing with multiple shareholders or foreign investors.

Step 4: Prepare the Required Documents

There is specific documentation that is determined by the conditions and structure of your business. Nonetheless, it is commonly expected that founders and shareholders will supply corporate information and identification.

Common documents may include:

• Identification documents of founders
• Shareholder information
• Articles of association
• Registered-office documentation
• Information about company administrators
• Documents relating to the company’s activities

If a shareholder is another company, additional corporate documents may be required.

Foreign documents may also require translation or other formalities before they can be accepted by Romanian authorities.

Step 5: Register the Company With the National Trade Register Office

The National Trade Register Office (ONRC) is central to the company-registration process.

This is where the company is formally registered as a Romanian legal entity.

The application normally brings together the information and documents prepared during the earlier stages.

The registration file can include information relating to:

• The company’s name
• Shareholders
• Directors or administrators
• Registered office
• Business activities
• Articles of association
• Share capital

Once the registration process has been completed, the company receives its registration documentation and can move on to the practical stages of starting operations.

Step 6: Obtain the Company’s Tax Identification Information

After incorporation, the company needs to be properly registered for tax purposes.

Romanian tax administration is handled by the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF).

Your company’s tax position will depend on factors such as:

• Legal structure
• Revenue
• Business activity
• Employees
• VAT status
• Domestic transactions
• EU transactions
• Cross-border transactions

Don’t wait until the company starts earning money before thinking about taxation.

Your accounting and tax structure should be planned from the beginning.

Step 7: Open a Business Bank Account

A separate business bank account is an essential part of operating professionally.

The account allows the company to manage:

• Customer payments
• Supplier payments
• Salaries
• Taxes
• Business expenses
• International transactions

Banks may request company registration documents, identification, ownership information, information about the business activity, and other compliance documents.

Foreign-owned companies should expect additional questions about beneficial ownership and the source of funds.

The sooner you prepare these documents, the smoother the banking process is likely to be.

Step 8: Set Up Your Accounting System

Romanian companies need proper accounting records and must meet applicable reporting requirements.

This is one area where trying to save money by doing everything yourself can become expensive later.

A Romanian accountant can help with:

• Bookkeeping
• Tax calculations
• VAT reporting
• Payroll
• Financial statements
• Tax declarations
• Invoices
• Accounting records
• Compliance deadlines

The right accounting system should be in place before your first major transaction rather than after problems appear.

How Long Does It Take to Open a Company in Romania?

The source article estimates that company formation can take approximately 2–5 days.

That can be a useful planning benchmark, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed timeline for every application.

The actual process can take longer if:

• Documents are incomplete
• The company name needs to be changed
• Foreign documents require additional formalities
• The registration application needs corrections
• The business requires special licences
• Banking takes longer
• Additional tax registrations are needed

For that reason, it is better to separate company registration time from the time required to become fully operational.

A company may be legally incorporated while still waiting for a bank account, licence, employee registration, or another operational requirement.

Taxation for Romanian Businesses in 2026

Tax planning deserves particular attention because Romanian tax rules have changed in recent years.

The original article refers to a 16% corporate income tax rate, but businesses should not assume that every Romanian company simply pays 16% of its revenue or profit.

Romania has different tax regimes and eligibility conditions, and the rules applicable to a company can depend on its size, activity, revenue, employees, and other circumstances.

ANAF has published specific 2026 guidance and legislative updates covering corporate income tax, microenterprise taxation, VAT, income tax, and social contributions.

This is why choosing your tax regime should be part of the business-planning process rather than an afterthought.

Corporate Income Tax

Companies subject to the standard corporate income tax regime calculate tax according to the applicable Romanian tax rules.

The headline corporate tax rate  is 16%, but the 2026 tax environment has more regulations and modifications, so you should confirm which regime is appropriate for your specific business.

Microenterprise Taxation

Romania also has a microenterprise taxation regime for qualifying businesses.

Eligibility and rates can change, so an entrepreneur should not automatically assume that a newly established SRL qualifies.

This is one of the areas where speaking with a Romanian accountant before registration can save you from making an expensive tax-planning mistake.

VAT in Romania

The original article states that Romanian VAT ranges from 9% to 19%.

That information should not be copied directly into a 2026 guide.

Romania changed its VAT framework, and ANAF has published guidance concerning the changes introduced by Law No. 141/2025. ANAF’s 2026 materials also continue to publish updates on VAT registration and VAT treatment.

The VAT rate that applies to your transaction depends on the nature of the goods or services and the current legislation.

If your business sells taxable goods or services, determine your VAT obligations before you begin invoicing customers.

Accounting and Financial Reporting

Keeping accurate financial records is not optional.

A Romanian company needs an accounting system capable of tracking:

• Revenue
• Expenses
• Purchases
• Sales
• VAT
• Payroll
• Taxes
• Assets
• Liabilities
• Bank transactions

Do Foreigners Need to Be Romanian Residents to Start a Company?

Foreign entrepreneurs can establish Romanian companies, but the practical requirements depend on the shareholder, administrator, nationality, residence status, and type of company.

A foreign investor should therefore distinguish between:

Owning a Romanian company and personally living and working in Romania.

They are not necessarily the same thing.

If you plan to move to Romania, employ yourself through the company, or personally perform business activities there, immigration and employment rules may become relevant.

What Businesses Can You Start in Romania?

Romania offers opportunities across a broad range of industries.

Some areas entrepreneurs may consider include:

Technology and IT

Romania’s technology ecosystem makes IT services, software development, cybersecurity, digital products, and outsourcing interesting areas for entrepreneurs.

E-Commerce

Online retail can be attractive because a Romanian business can potentially serve both domestic customers and customers in other European markets.

Manufacturing

Romania’s industrial base creates opportunities in manufacturing, components, engineering, and supply-chain businesses.

Business Services

Accounting, consulting, customer support, marketing, design, software services, and outsourcing can all be potential business areas.

Logistics

Romania’s geographic position creates opportunities for transport, warehousing, fulfilment, and logistics businesses.

The right opportunity, however, depends on customer demand rather than simply choosing an industry because it appears popular.

What Should You Research Before Starting a Business in Romania?

Before registering your company, spend time researching the market.

Look at:

• Who your customers are
• What competitors charge
• How customers currently solve the problem
• What makes your offer different
• Whether demand is local or international
• How much it will cost to acquire customers
• Whether the business can make a profit

A company can be easy to register and still be difficult to run.

Market research is what helps bridge that gap.

Common Mistakes When Starting a Business in Romania

Choosing the wrong legal structure

Don’t choose an SA simply because it sounds more established.

Likewise, don’t automatically choose an SRL without considering your investors, tax position, growth plans, and business activities.

Ignoring tax planning

Tax rules can affect your pricing, salaries, dividends, cash flow, and profitability.

Treating registration as the finish line

Company registration is only the beginning.

You may still need:

• Banking
• Accounting
• VAT registration
• Licences
• Employees
• Insurance
• Contracts
• Invoicing systems

Underestimating working capital

Registration may be relatively inexpensive compared with the money required to keep a business operating.

Make sure you have enough cash to cover the first few months of expenses.

Forgetting about compliance

Missed tax filings and accounting deadlines can create unnecessary penalties and administrative problems.

Build compliance into your business routine from day one.

Is Romania a Good Place to Start a Business in 2026?

For the right entrepreneur, Romania can be a strong European base.

Its EU membership, skilled workforce, competitive operating environment, technology sector, and geographic position make it worth considering for both domestic entrepreneurs and foreign investors.

But the decision should not be based on tax rates or registration costs alone.

A successful business needs customers, reliable cash flow, good employees, proper accounting, and a clear understanding of the local rules.

Conclusion

Starting a business in Romania in 2026 is easy to start, but it does require some preparation.

Begin with the business idea and market research. Then choose the legal structure, check the company name, prepare your incorporation documents, and register with the National Trade Register Office.

Once the company exists, move quickly on the practical side: banking, accounting, taxation, VAT where applicable, licences, employees, and financial controls.

The original source estimates that company formation can take only a few days and cost a few hundred euros, but the real cost of entrepreneurship goes beyond incorporation. Your biggest expenses will usually come from actually running and growing the business.

FAQ

How do I start a business in Romania in 2026?

Selecting a business concept and legal framework, verifying your company name, drafting the articles of organization and other necessary paperwork, and registering the business with the National Trade Register Office (ONRC) are the first steps. After registering, take care of all obligations pertaining to employees, banking, accounting, taxes, and licenses.

Is Romania a good place to start a business in 2026?

Yes, Romania can be an attractive option for entrepreneurs who want to operate from an EU member state. Its skilled workforce, technology sector, competitive operating environment, and location in Southeastern Europe make it interesting for both local and foreign businesses.

What is the most common company type in Romania?

The SRL (Societate cu Răspundere Limitată) is a popular structure for small and medium-sized businesses. It is often considered by entrepreneurs running consulting firms, IT companies, online businesses, professional services, and other smaller operations.

What is an SRL in Romania?

An SRL is Romania’s limited liability company structure. It provides a separate legal identity for the business and is commonly used by entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized companies.

What is an SA company in Romania?

An SA, or Societate pe Acțiuni, is a joint stock company. It is generally more suitable for larger businesses or companies that need a more formal shareholder and investment structure.

Do I need to live in Romania to start a company there?

Owning a Romanian company and living in Romania are two different things. A foreign entrepreneur may be able to own a Romanian company without becoming a Romanian resident, but immigration and work-permission rules can become relevant if the person plans to live and work in the country.

What are the articles of association in Romania?

The articles of association set out important details about the company, including its name, registered office, business activities, shareholders, share capital, management, and ownership arrangements.

It is one of the key documents used during company formation.

How do I choose a company name in Romania?

Choose a name that is available and complies with Romanian registration rules. It is smart to prepare a few alternatives in case your preferred name has already been taken.

If the name will become your brand, also consider checking the availability of the corresponding domain name and whether trademark protection is appropriate.

Do I need a registered office for a Romanian company?

Yes, a Romanian company needs an appropriate registered office. You should have the necessary documentation proving your right to use the premises when completing the incorporation process.