Romanian government pushes for mandatory language tests for regaining citizenship

3 months ago 16

Regaining Romanian citienship could soon involve passing a compulsory language exam, according to a new government bill amending the country’s citizenship law to stamp out potential abuses, which was submitted to parliament on Thursday.

The bill, initiated by the Ministry of Justice, will be submitted to parliament for urgent debate and approval.

The ministry said the main amendments include including objectives from the national recovery plan and facilitating entry into the Visa Waiver program.

It also includes provisions to digitalise the process of obtaining Romanian citizenship and eliminate potential fraud.

One novelty for regaining citizenship includes a Romanian language exam, which is to be accompanied by a B1 level certificate. The bill also foresees the audio and video recording of the language proficiency interview and the oath of allegiance ceremony.

The language interview was scrapped in 2009 by former president Traian Băsescu to facilitate citizenship for residents from former Romanian territories, particularly Moldova.

In explaining the new law, the ministry noted that many applicants whose ancestors were Romanian citizens lacked basic knowledge of the Romanian language. The media have frequently reported that while many Moldovans wait years to get citizenship, others obtain it quickly without knowing the language.

Applications for Romanian citizenship are processed in the order they are received, with strictly regulated exceptions to avoid arbitrary prioritisation.

Around one million Moldovans have received Romanian citizenship

Under the current law, there are two ways to regain citizenship.

According to one method, “Romanian citizenship may be granted, upon request, to those who have lost it and to their descendants up to the second degree, while retaining foreign citizenship and either establishing their residence in Romania or maintaining it abroad”.

Between 2010 and 2024, 28,724 applications were submitted through the mechanism, with 25,598 applicants regaining Romanian citizenship while maintaining residence abroad.

The other way to obtain citizenship is for “persons who acquired Romanian citizenship by birth or adoption and lost it for reasons beyond their control, or had it taken from them against their will, as well as their descendants up to the third degree of consanguinity or affinity.” These applicants may also retain foreign citizenship and reside either in Romania or abroad.

Between 2010 and 2024, 967,463 applications were submitted through this mechanism, and 830,209 applicants regained their citizenship while maintaining their residence abroad.

(Catalina Mihai | Euractiv.ro)