Key Takeaways
• Romania launches RODUC Information System digitalizing citizenship applications by June 2026 with a 1.3 million USD budget.
• Applicants must provide biometric data; new rules require online submissions and offer electronic citizenship cards instead of paper certificates.
• Selected company must complete software, hardware, and security setup within eight months after contract, prioritizing technical quality over cost.
Romania is taking a big step to make getting citizenship easier and more modern. The Romanian government has announced it is looking for a company to build and run the “RODUC Information System.” This system will make the process of applying for citizenship fully digital. The project is being handled by the National Authority for Citizenship (ANC) and is seen as the next important phase in a series of changes to how people can become citizens of Romania.
This article will explain why this change is important, what the RODUC Information System will do, how it connects to the recent changes in citizenship laws, and what it means for people who want to become citizens. We’ll also look at how the process will work going forward, what technology is involved, and what people can expect from the new system. By focusing on the facts, this guide tries to answer questions you might have if you’re planning to apply for Romanian citizenship, are an immigration lawyer, or you just want to keep up to date with how government services are changing.
Romania’s Plan to Digitize Citizenship Applications
The Romanian government wants to make the citizenship application process faster, easier to follow, and safer. To do this, the ANC has launched a public call for proposals from companies with experience in building and setting up big software systems. According to the official notice, applications from these companies are due by June 2, 2025.
Whoever is chosen will have a big job. Their tasks will include developing the software, testing it, installing the final version, and making sure it works smoothly for the long term. They’ll also need to provide computer hardware that is strong and secure enough to handle important data. The goal is to finish the whole project within eight months from the day the contract is given out.
This project is serious both in size and in funding. The total budget is 6,350,000 Romanian lei, which is about 1.3 million US dollars. Part of this money is coming from the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Mechanism, which helps EU countries recover from economic shocks and improve public services.
What matters most in picking the winning company is quality—70% of the decision is based on technical skills and past experience, and only 30% depends on price. This shows the Romanian government’s priority is to get a system that works well, is safe, and can handle sensitive information, not just the cheapest offer.
What Will the RODUC Information System Do?
The RODUC Information System is designed to cover all parts of the citizenship application process. The system will handle things like:
- Receiving and processing different types of citizenship applications
- Managing important documents, including IDs, proof of address, and supporting papers
- Dealing with appeals or petitions from applicants
- Preparing reports and keeping statistics about applications, processing times, and trends
- Collecting, storing, and protecting biometric data like fingerprints and digital photos
In simple terms, the idea is to move the citizenship process from piles of paper and in-person visits to a secure and easy-to-use digital space. This should make things move faster for everyone involved, and make it possible to track each application step by step.
Recent Law Changes: Why Is This Happening Now?
The switch to a digital process is not happening by chance. In 2025, the Romanian government passed major changes to the country’s laws about citizenship. On March 11, 2025, the parliament approved a new law that aimed to “modernize” and “improve” the system. The changes were made official by a decree signed by the interim President of Romania, Ilie Bolojan.
These new rules brought in three main changes:
- Everything Goes Online: From applying to tracking your case, every step now happens in a digital environment. This should cut down waiting times and reduce confusion.
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Biometric Citizenship Cards: Instead of printed paper certificates, successful applicants will get new electronic cards. These cards will contain digital fingerprints and a digital photo, making them much harder to fake.
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Tougher Eligibility Requirements: The law now spells out exactly who can apply and under what conditions. This is to protect the system from fraud and make sure only those who really meet Romania’s standards can become citizens.
Details on Biometric Data and New IDs
A very big change came when Romania began collecting biometric data from all people applying for citizenship. Starting on July 2024, and becoming a firm rule on September 1, 2024, this requirement means everyone must provide digital fingerprints and have their picture taken. This data gets stored securely and is later used to make the new electronic citizenship cards.
With printed paper certificates going away, these cards will soon be the only way for someone to prove they are a Romanian citizen if they get citizenship through application. For many, this change adds an extra level of security and makes it harder for people to use fake documents. The move to biometrics also lines up with wider EU trends, as many European Union countries are now using similar technology to improve the security of passports, residency cards, and ID cards.
Who Can Apply for Romanian Citizenship Under the New Rules?
The latest rules, explained in detail by Romanian authorities and several expert sources, limit ways to get Romanian citizenship to the following:
- By birth (either being born in Romania or to Romanian parents abroad)
- By being adopted by a Romanian citizen
- By making a formal application
People who want to apply must meet several clear requirements:
- They need to have lived legally in Romania for at least eight years. If they are married to a Romanian citizen, the wait is a bit shorter—five years.
- They must be able to speak Romanian to a certain standard. This is tested as part of the process.
- Authorities will check to make sure the applicants follow the laws (they must have good behavior) and are loyal to the country.
Every applicant must provide documents showing where they live, their work or study status, and a clean police record.
Timeline: How the Citizenship Application System is Changing
This big modernization is happening step by step. Here’s a simple timeline of the most important events:
- July 2024: Romania started collecting biometric data from citizenship applicants, including fingerprints and photos.
- September 1, 2024: Collecting biometric data became mandatory. Now, you can’t apply without giving this information.
- March 11, 2025: The Romanian government passed its new law on citizenship, bringing in digital applications and electronic cards.
- March 14, 2025: Law no. 14/2025 went into effect. This is the law that makes all these changes official.
- May 13, 2025: The government officially asked for bids from companies wanting to build the RODUC Information System.
- June 2, 2025: This is the last day for companies to send in their proposals to win the contract.
- June 30, 2026: The government wants all citizenship files to be fully digital by this date.
These changes mean the government has a tight deadline to finish the project, but also that people wanting to apply for citizenship will soon see a much more modern, technology-based process.
What Does This Mean for Citizenship Applicants?
If you’re planning to apply for Romanian citizenship, these changes will affect your experience in several ways. First and most obviously, you will have to submit your application and all your documents online. No more waiting in long lines or making several trips to government offices just to check your case.
Second, you will need to provide your fingerprints and have your photo taken, in line with the biometric requirements. This is now standard practice and cannot be skipped.
Third, if you are approved, you will get an electronic citizenship card, not a paper certificate. This means you’ll need to keep your card safe—just like you would your passport or driver’s license.
There is also good news for applicants: The new law puts a strict time limit on how long authorities can take to decide your case. The government must make a decision on citizenship applications within two years from the date you file all your papers. If they need something extra—like new documents or more checks—they can extend by only six months. After that, they must give you a final answer.
Broader Impact: Who Benefits?
These changes aren’t just helpful for individuals. They are also expected to make life easier and safer for government workers, legal advisors, and other people involved in processing and supporting citizenship applications.
- For Applicants: The digital system should mean less paperwork, shorter waits, and a more transparent process. You can check on your application online and see where you stand at any time.
- For Authorities: With one central database, it will be much easier to detect fraud, duplicate applications, or errors in paperwork.
- For the EU: Since Romania is in the European Union 🇪🇺, the move to digital, biometric-backed systems brings the country in line with standards seen in other EU countries. It also helps in sharing information quickly and safely across borders if needed.
Legal experts say these changes support the government’s goal of making public services simpler and easier to access—not just for locals, but also for people coming from abroad to live, work, or study in Romania 🇷🇴.
Some Concerns and Debate
Although most people welcome the move to a more modern system, some have voiced concerns. For example, privacy advocates always worry about how biometric data is stored and who can access it. The Romanian government has promised that only those with a real need—such as processing your application or fighting document fraud—will see the data. All information should be stored according to strict rules set by both Romanian and EU law.
There is also the question of digital divides. Not everyone has regular access to the internet or knows how to use online systems easily. The government has said it will set up help centers to support people who are not comfortable using computers or smartphones.
What’s Next? Key Dates to Remember
- Now (May 2025): Tender for RODUC Information System is open.
- June 2, 2025: Last day for companies to submit proposals.
- Eight months after contract award: RODUC Information System should go live.
- June 30, 2026: All citizen files must be fully digital.
By the end of June 2026, the hope is to have all paper files gone and only digital records and electronic cards in use.
Where Can Applicants Get More Information?
Anyone interested in citizenship applications or the new system can check with the Romanian government’s National Authority for Citizenship, which posts official updates and answers common questions.
Conclusion: A New Era for Romanian Citizenship
Romania 🇷🇴 is joining many other countries in moving to digital government services, especially for important things like citizenship. The RODUC Information System is the tool that will turn new laws into something real for thousands of people every year. By including digital applications, biometric security, and easier ways to track your case, the Romanian government wants to make the process quicker, clearer, and safer for everyone.
Not everyone will adapt easily—some will need help getting used to online systems, and privacy will always be an important topic. But these steps show a country taking technology seriously as part of its commitment to both citizens and future citizens. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this is a clear sign that getting Romanian citizenship is entering a new, digital age.
If you are considering applying, it’s a good idea to get your papers ready and watch for new updates. The digital transformation may be challenging, but it promises to make citizenship applications much easier to handle in the years ahead.
Learn Today
RODUC Information System → A new digital platform to fully manage Romanian citizenship applications online, including document handling, biometric data, and tracking.
Biometric Data → Personal information such as digital fingerprints and photos used to uniquely identify individuals for citizenship and security purposes.
National Authority for Citizenship (ANC) → Romanian government agency overseeing citizenship processes, modernization, and implementation of new application systems.
Recovery and Resilience Mechanism → European Union funding program helping countries improve public services and recover from economic challenges.
Electronic Citizenship Card → A secure, biometric-based digital card replacing traditional paper certificates, serving as official proof of Romanian citizenship.
This Article in a Nutshell
Romania is revolutionizing its citizenship process with the RODUC Information System. By 2026, all applications will be digital, requiring biometric data and online submissions. Applicants receive electronic citizenship cards. This modernization offers stricter eligibility, faster results, and reduces fraud, marking a major shift in Romanian immigration services and government transparency.
— By VisaVerge.com
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