UPDATED OCTOBER 29, 2024
On October 29, 2024, the Constitutional Court rejected as unfounded the objection of unconstitutionality raised by the High Court of Cassation and Justice and found that the legal provisions of the Law on amending and supplementing the Romanian Citizenship Law no.21/1991, as well as on amending and supplementing other normative acts are constitutional in relation to the criticisms raised.
***
End of June, the High Court of Cassation and Justice (ICCJ) referred the amendments to the Citizenship Law No. 21/1991 to the Constitutional Court (CCR). The judges of the court stated that the law violates the principles of the rule of law, the unity of the people and the equality of citizens before the law. This is in progress.
However, as of July 29, 2024, the Emergency Ordinance No. 100/2024 (OUG) amending and supplementing the Romanian Citizenship Law No. 21/1991, as well as amending and supplementing other normative acts is in force – the text was published in the Official Gazette, Part I No. 740 of July 29, 2024.
This OUG was adopted in light of Romania’s efforts to join the U.S. Visa Waiver Program and taking into account the end of the U.S. fiscal year – September 30 – and the beginning of the new fiscal year.
The measures adopted in the OUG cover both the introduction of biometrics in the process of granting Romanian citizenship, as well as measures that will secure the whole process through high IT and security systems. In short, it is about the digital photo, the fingerprinting of those who apply for Romanian citizenship and the replacement of the Romanian citizenship certificate with a high-security electronic card.
***
If you are thinking to obtain / regain Romanian citizenship, consult a licensed Romanian immigration lawyer to discuss your unique situation.
