Question 1

Do I have to learn Romanian now?

Accepted Answer

If you are a descendant under 65: yes — since March 15, 2025 you must prove Romanian at B1 level with a certificate from a recognized issuer. The former citizen applying personally and anyone 65+ at filing are exempt by statute (Art. 15¹(5)).

Question 2

How long does it really take?

Accepted Answer

The amended law caps the Citizenship Commission's review at 2 years (plus a maximum 6-month extension for authenticity checks), but ANC's own published average for Art. 11 files was 3 years 10 months as of February 4, 2026. Budget for the published queue, not the statutory cap.

Question 3

Is the application free?

Accepted Answer

No application or processing fee appears on ANC's official Art. 11 document list. The one listed payment is 91.50 lei for the Romanian citizenship card (the card replaced the paper certificate from September 1, 2024). Apostilles, certified translations and notary fees are real costs on top.

Question 4

Can I do everything from abroad?

Accepted Answer

Largely yes: you may file at a Romanian mission or consulate in your country of domicile, keep your domicile abroad, and take the oath before the head of the diplomatic mission or consular office. Note: card-holders domiciled abroad must request a Romanian passport noting the country of domicile within 3 years of reacquiring citizenship.

Question 5

Does 3rd degree mean great-grandchildren?

Accepted Answer

ANC enumerates descendants of degrees I, II and III without defining the count in its public pages. The standard practitioner reading is child → grandchild → great-grandchild, but verify your exact position with ANC or counsel before relying on it — this page won't assert what the authority hasn't published.

Can I reacquire Romanian citizenship under Art. 11?

What is your connection to Romanian citizenship?

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