Register a Romanian Company – Launch Your Local Amazon Europe Store
No Withholding VAT, Double Your Cross-Border E-commerce Profits
Why Are Cross-Border Sellers Registering a Romanian Company?
As competition intensifies on Amazon Europe, having a local store has become a crucial strategy for cross-border e-commerce sellers to boost sales and rankings. Romanian company registration serves as an important gateway to the EU market, allowing sellers to directly open an Amazon Europe local store. Unlike foreign entities, a Romanian company is not subject to Amazon’s withholding VAT, meaning you can manage your own VAT declaration and tax planning. This significantly reduces cash flow pressure and overall tax burden, making it easier to penetrate the European market.
That is why more and more cross-border e-commerce entrepreneurs are choosing to register a company in Romania and establish their own Amazon EU local stores as a strategic move for sustainable growth.
What Documents Are Required to Register a Romanian Company?
1,Provide 1 to 3 alternative company names.
2,Shareholders’ passport or ID information. For multiple shareholders, specify each shareholder’s ownership percentage.
3,Company’s registered capital and business scope (minimum 200 Romanian Lei).
4,Residential address of the company’s legal representative.
Types of Romanian Company Registration
During the Romanian company registration process, the most popular form is the Limited Liability Company (SRL). This structure is very similar to the Chinese limited liability company. Its main advantage lies in its very low entry threshold: the minimum share capital is only 200 Romanian Lei, with no requirement for actual paid-in capital—essentially allowing incorporation with zero capital. The number of shareholders can range from 1 to 50, and shareholders can be either individuals or legal entities, with no nationality restrictions. This means that Chinese investors can fully establish a Romanian SRL as the sole shareholder. The liability of shareholders is strictly limited to their capital contribution, thus protecting personal assets from business risks. Daily operations are managed by an administrator, who may also be a foreign national. The flexibility of this structure, combined with strong liability protection, makes the SRL the first choice for cross-border e-commerce sellers and SMEs seeking company registration in Romania.
For businesses with stronger capital capacity, or those planning for financing, listing, or attracting external investors, the Joint Stock Company (SA) is another important option. When registering an SA in Romania, the minimum share capital is 90,000 Romanian Lei (approximately €18,000), with at least 30% required to be paid in upon incorporation. An SA must establish a proper governance structure, such as a Board of Directors or Supervisory Board, and comply with stricter disclosure and financial transparency requirements. While the entry threshold is higher, the advantage of an SA lies in its ability to facilitate capital operations, making it suitable for larger enterprises or those planning long-term expansion in the EU market.
The Romanian company registration system also includes several traditional forms of partnerships. For example, a General Partnership (SNC) requires at least two partners, with all partners bearing unlimited joint liability. This structure is often used for small, trust-based collaborations, such as family businesses. The Limited Partnership (SCS) offers more flexibility, as general partners assume unlimited liability, while limited partners’ liability is capped at their capital contribution. Additionally, the Partnership Limited by Shares (SCA) requires a minimum share capital of 90,000 Romanian Lei, combining characteristics of both partnerships and joint stock companies, though its application is more limited.
Latest Timeline and Process for Romanian Company Registration
The entire Romanian company registration process typically takes about 3–4 weeks, including company name approval, notarization, approval by the authorities, and tax registration. The full process can be divided into the following stages:
1. Name Verification & Document Preparation (Approx. 1 Week)
The first step in registering a Romanian company is to submit 3 alternative company names to the Romanian Trade Register (ONRC) for verification, ensuring that the name is unique and does not contain restricted words.
Required documents include: Articles of Association, shareholders’ and directors’ passports and proof of address, and proof of registered office (lease agreement). If the business involves regulated industries such as finance or healthcare, additional licenses may be required.
2. Notarization of Documents (1–3 Days)
Shareholders must sign the Articles of Association and complete legal certification at a Romanian notary office. At this stage, a temporary bank account may also be opened to deposit share capital. For SRL companies, there is generally no need for actual paid-in capital, while for SA companies, at least 50% of the share capital must be paid in. If a Romanian bank account is not immediately available, incorporation can still proceed without capital verification.
3. Submission to the Trade Register (2–3 Weeks)
After notarization, all registration documents are submitted to the Romanian Trade Register. If the documentation is complete, approximately 85% of cases are approved within 2–3 weeks. The registration status can be tracked online via the Trade Register’s website.
4. Company Registration Certificate Issuance
Once approved, the company registration certificate and related documents will be issued. The processing time varies by region, but generally, the documents are received within about 1 week after approval, marking the official incorporation of the company.
5. VAT Tax Number Registration (1–2 Weeks)
After incorporation, the company must apply for a VAT tax number. The application process usually takes 1–2 weeks. Once completed, the company is authorized to conduct official business activities in the EU market.
6. Delivery of Incorporation Certificate (Approx. 1 Week)
Finally, the trade registration documents and other relevant certificates will be delivered to the company’s registered office. At this point, the Romanian company registration process is fully completed, and the company is legally ready to operate.
Introduction to Romanian Company Registration Tax Rates
Corporate Income Tax: Microenterprise Tax Rate – 1%: For companies with annual turnover ≤ €60,000. Certain industries (such as IT or healthcare) may opt for a 3% turnover tax.
3% Rate: For annual turnover between €60,000–€500,000. Requirement: within 30 days of incorporation, the company must hire at least one Romanian employee or appoint a director with a local employment contract (minimum monthly salary approx. €814), and file through a local accountant. Shareholders may own only one microenterprise.
Standard Tax Rate – 16%: A 16% profit tax applies if the company does not qualify for the microenterprise regime. Once classified under this regime, the company cannot revert to microenterprise taxation.
Value-Added Tax (VAT)
Standard VAT Rate: 19%. Reduced VAT rates of 5%–9% apply to certain sectors such as food, books, and pharmaceuticals.
Registration Threshold: Voluntary VAT registration is possible if turnover is below €60,000; mandatory VAT registration is required when turnover reaches or exceeds €60,000. A VAT number must be obtained.
Reporting Cycle: Quarterly or annually, depending on company size. No VAT payment is required if no VAT invoice is issued; however, once VAT is collected, it must be declared and remitted.
Personal Income Tax:Flat Rate: 10% on salaries and self-employment income.
Non-Resident Withholding Taxes: Dividends – 5%; interest/commissions/consulting fees – 16%. Taxes must be paid by the 25th of the following month.
Payroll & Social Security Contributions (if employees are hired)
Employee Income Tax: 10%. Employer Social Security Contributions: approx. 26%.
Employee Contributions: approx. 10.4%.
A labor contract must be signed, with compliance to Romania’s minimum wage requirement, and monthly payroll taxes must be reported and remitted.
Annual Reporting
Companies must file annual reports with the Romanian Trade Register between March and May of the following year. Reports include corporate income tax, VAT, assets, and shareholder changes.
Compared with other EU countries such as Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, Romanian company registration offers significantly lower corporate income tax and VAT rates, making Romania an attractive jurisdiction for cross-border e-commerce sellers, IT companies, and other business models seeking lower operating costs while maintaining full compliance.
Why Choose Us?
Extensive Experience in Cross-Border E-Commerce and Romanian Company Registration: We have served thousands of clients, providing one-on-one support from local Romanian lawyers to ensure professional and compliant services.
One-Stop Service: From Romanian company registration to VAT number and EORI registration, as well as bank account setup.
Transparent Pricing: No hidden fees, with formal service agreements for full clarity and security.
