Voting rights are one of the clearest legal boundaries between citizenship and residence.
If you live in Romania as a foreigner — whether as an EU citizen, non-EU resident, entrepreneur, or digital nomad — you may legitimately ask:
Can I vote in Romania?
The answer depends entirely on:
- Your nationality
- Your legal residence status
- The type of election
Romanian electoral law is structured, explicit, and relatively strict. This guide explains who can vote, when, and under what legal conditions.
1. The General Rule: Only Romanian Citizens Vote
Under the Romanian Constitution and electoral legislation, national sovereignty belongs to Romanian citizens.
According to Constituția României, Article 36:
Romanian citizens who have reached the age of 18 have the right to vote.
This applies to:
- Presidential elections
- Parliamentary elections
- National referendums
Foreign nationals — whether EU or non-EU — cannot vote in national elections.
There are no exceptions to this rule.
2. The Important Exception: EU Citizens
Romania is a Member State of the European Union. As such, it applies EU law on political participation for resident EU citizens.
Under EU treaties and Romanian implementing legislation, citizens of other EU Member States who legally reside in Romania may vote in:
- Local elections (mayor, local council, county council)
- Elections for the European Parliament
This right is not symbolic — it is fully operational.
Legal Basis
The right derives from:
- EU Treaty provisions on political rights of EU citizens
- Romanian electoral legislation implementing EU obligations
In Romania, this framework is mainly regulated by:
- Legea nr. 115/2015 (local elections)
- Legea nr. 33/2007 (European Parliament elections)
3. Conditions for EU Citizens to Vote in Romania
An EU citizen must meet all of the following conditions:
1️⃣ Legal Residence in Romania
You must hold:
- A Registration Certificate (Certificat de Înregistrare), or
- A Residence Card (Carte de Rezidență)
These are issued by the Romanian immigration authorities.
The residence must be valid at the time of the election.
2️⃣ Be 18 Years Old
Same age requirement as Romanian citizens.
3️⃣ Not Be Deprived of Voting Rights
If you are legally deprived of electoral rights either in:
- Romania, or
- Your home EU country
—you cannot vote.
4️⃣ Registration in the Electoral Roll
EU citizens must be registered on the electoral roll of the locality where they live.
The official database can be checked at:
Registrul Electoral
Website: https://www.registrulelectoral.ro
4. Where Can an EU Citizen Vote?
An EU citizen can vote only in the locality where they are registered.
You cannot:
- Vote in multiple municipalities
- Vote in another Romanian city
- Vote in both Romania and your home EU country for the European Parliament
You must choose one Member State for European Parliament elections.
Double voting is illegal under EU law.
5. Can EU Citizens Run for Office?
Yes — but only in specific elections.
EU citizens residing in Romania can:
- Run for local council
- Run for mayor
- Run for county council
- Run for European Parliament (subject to EU rules)
They cannot:
- Run for Romanian Parliament
- Run for President of Romania
Those remain strictly reserved for Romanian citizens.
6. What About Non-EU Citizens?
Non-EU citizens:
- Cannot vote in any Romanian election.
- Cannot run for office.
- Cannot participate in referendums.
Even long-term residents, permanent residents, or individuals married to Romanian citizens do not gain voting rights unless they obtain Romanian citizenship.
Voting rights follow citizenship — not length of residence.
7. What If You Are Not Listed in the Electoral Database?
This is a practical and important issue.
It is possible that:
- You are legally resident.
- You are eligible.
- But your CNP or registration is not visible in the database.
This does not automatically mean you cannot vote.
Under Romanian electoral rules, an EU citizen with legal residence may still vote by presenting themselves at the polling station assigned to their address.
The Supplementary Voter List Mechanism
If you are not listed in the permanent electoral roll:
- Go to your assigned secția de votare (polling station).
- Present:
- Your valid residence card or registration certificate.
- A valid ID document.
- Electoral officials verify your residence.
- You may be added to a supplementary voter list (listă suplimentară).
This mechanism exists precisely to prevent eligible EU citizens from being excluded due to administrative or database issues.
However, verification must confirm:
- Legal residence
- Address within that polling district
- Eligibility under electoral law
If verification fails, voting may be refused.
8. Important Clarifications About CNP
Many EU residents receive a Romanian CNP (Personal Numeric Code).
However:
- Having a CNP does not automatically grant voting rights.
- Voting rights depend on electoral registration and eligibility.
- Some EU residents may not appear online even if eligible.
Always verify before election day.
9. Can Foreigners Vote in Referendums?
No.
National referendums in Romania are constitutionally reserved for Romanian citizens.
Even EU residents cannot participate.
This includes referendums on:
- Constitutional changes
- Presidential impeachment
- National policy questions
The constitutional principle is clear: sovereignty is exercised by Romanian citizens.
10. What Happens If an EU Citizen Votes Illegally in Two Countries?
EU law strictly prohibits double voting in European Parliament elections.
Romanian authorities exchange information with other EU Member States.
If a person votes in:
- Romania
and - Their country of origin
They may face:
- Administrative sanctions
- Criminal investigation in serious cases
Always ensure you vote in only one Member State.
11. Why Romania Applies This System
Romania follows the standard EU model:
- Political rights at local and EU level → linked to residence.
- National sovereignty → linked to citizenship.
This balances:
- Democratic participation at community level.
- Constitutional sovereignty at state level.
It is not unique to Romania. Most EU Member States apply similar rules.
12. Summary Table
| Category | Local Elections | European Parliament | National Elections | Referendum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romanian citizens | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EU citizens resident in Romania | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Non-EU citizens | No | No | No | No |
Final Legal Takeaway
If you are a foreigner living in Romania:
- EU citizen? You may vote in local and European Parliament elections, provided you meet legal residence and registration requirements.
- Non-EU citizen? You cannot vote unless you acquire Romanian citizenship.
- Not listed in the database? You may still be able to vote via the supplementary list, if eligibility is verified.
Voting rights in Romania are not discretionary.
They are rule-based, structured, and legally defined.
Understanding the framework avoids confusion — and prevents unpleasant surprises on election day.