Setting up a company in Romania can be done fairly quickly, but it’s important to understand that registration with the Trade Register is only the beginning. To make sure your business can operate smoothly—without freezes, fines, or unexpected costs—you need to handle the entire process properly, from thorough preparation to the right steps immediately after incorporation.
That’s why LARIN TRADE CONSULTING has prepared a practical checklist: «How to Set Up and Launch a Company in Romania (in plain language)»—it helps you structure every stage and move forward with confidence, without missing any critical details.
1. Preparing for registration
At the first stage, it’s important to build a solid foundation to register successfully and avoid future issues.
- Company name check. Verify availability through ONRC (the Romanian Trade Register). Prepare several name options and avoid wording that requires additional licensing or may be too similar to existing brands.
- Choosing the legal form. For small and medium-sized businesses, SRL (similar to an LLC) is the most common choice. Consider your business goals, the number of shareholders, and any plans to attract investment—choosing the wrong structure can complicate banking and affect taxation.
- CAEN activity codes. These define your company’s official business activities. A mistake can lead to a situation where you operate in practice, but lack the legal right to carry out that activity. Some areas require additional licenses and permits.
- Registered office (Sediu Social). It must be a real address suitable for correspondence and inspections. Virtual registered offices with professional services can be used, provided all requirements regarding accessibility and official status are met.
- Preparing documents for ONRC. The full package includes the Articles of Association, incorporation documents, declarations, proof of address, and the required applications. Accuracy matters—correct CAEN codes and all mandatory permits must be in place.
2. What to do in the first weeks after registration
This stage is often underestimated, but it is exactly what determines whether your company can operate legally. Ideally, most steps should be completed within 30 days after registration.
- Open a bank account. Opening a corporate account with a Romanian bank is the top priority for starting operations.
- Hire an accountant. You must hire an accountant who is a CECCAR member. For full ongoing support, arrange a notarized power of attorney so the specialist can sign and submit reports on behalf of the company.
- Electronic signature and ANAF registration. These are required to interact with the tax authorities. Registration in ANAF’s system (SPV) provides access to online notifications, document submissions, and official correspondence.
- Single Control Register (RUC). Obtaining the RUC is mandatory—it is required during inspections. Missing it may result in fines.
- Set up document workflow. Implement an invoicing system, connect e-Factura, integrate banking operations and, if needed, a POS terminal. It’s important to plan for all requirements in advance to avoid issues during day-to-day operations.
Additional steps
Depending on your business specifics, you may also need:
- EORI — if you plan to import/export
- VAT — if you exceed the applicable turnover threshold
- ROI registration — to work with partners within the EU
- Work location registration (office/warehouse)
- Special permits for certain types of activities
- Employee registration through REGES
- Basic GDPR documentation
In conclusion, mistakes at the launch stage can be costly—not only in time, but in real money as well: re-submissions, process blocks, and fines. That is why LARIN TRADE CONSULTING created this checklist.
With it, you will be able to:
- Understand the overall logic and structure of the launch process;
- Make key decisions before registration;
- Complete all mandatory steps after setting up your company;
- Go through every stage calmly, without unnecessary bureaucracy.
Use the step-by-step guide below as a reliable roadmap toward a successful start for your business.
CHECKLIST: HOW TO OPEN A COMPANY IN ROMANIA
