New rules for resident registration

Romanian Deputies have set clear rules for issuing identity cards and residence visas. 

Daniela Budu, 04.05.2023, 14:00

The Romanian Chamber of Deputies Wednesday passed the
final vote on a law aimed at improving the quality of resident registration services and
at facilitating the issuance of identity documents for Romanian citizens.

Under the new law, no more than 10 people may register
the same address on their identity documents. The provision does not apply for
home owners and their extended family. An extended family includes the holder of residence rights, their spouse,
and relatives up to the fourth degree,’ reads the document. Violations of this
provision entails fines ranging between EUR 15 and 30. Deputy Viorel Sălan (Social
Democratic Party), one of the initiators of the bill, says an improvement of
the relevant legislation was necessary.

Viorel Sălan: Perhaps the most telling example is that
early this year, in Bucharest, as many as 18,000 people were registered with
their residence visas at the same address.

However, the AUR Deputy Titi Stoica believes the new
regulations are not enough and further legislation changes are required.

The new law also stipulates that electronic identity
cards may be issued by any local Population Register offices, irrespective of
the applicant’s place of residence. Under the new law,
underprivileged citizens who cannot produce proof of residence will be
registered based on a certificate issued by the relevant administrative unit,
indicating the address where their residence will be registered.

The
initiators of the bill also argue that changing one’s address will be a lot
more flexible from now on. Under the new act, individuals providing private
accommodation to other persons, who are yet to register their current place of residence
in their identity documents, must accompany their tenants at the relevant population
register office to confirm their consent. This is an obligation for all
citizens who provide private accommodation for periods of more than 30 days. As
for the people who live at a different address than the one specified on their
identity document, they are to go to the population register office to have
their address updated or to register their new address within 15 days of moving
to the new address, and also to apply for registration in the land registry. (AMP)