Navigating VAT in Romania

This guide provides an overview of VAT in Romania, including applicable rates, registration requirements, compliance obligations, and filing deadlines. It is designed for businesses engaging in transactions within Romania.

Last Updated: January 2026
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2017

marked the year Romania reduced its VAT rate from 24% to 19% to boost economic growth.

Romania at a glance.

Standard rate

19% VAT

Digital services VAT

Yes, at 19%

Mandate e-invoicing

Yes

Currency

Romanian Leu (RON)

Zero-rated items

N/A

VAT format

Ro followed by 2 to 10 digits

Fiscal representation

Yes, required for non-EU businesses conducting taxable activities in Romania

Reclaiming VAT in Romania.

Foreign businesses that incur VAT on eligible expenses in Romania may be able to reclaim it.

Who can reclaim?
Romania applies the rule of reciprocity. This means Romania allows VAT refunds for foreign businesses, but only if they are based in approved countries.
Eligible countries with full reciprocity include:
Eligible countries with limited reciprocity include:
Claimable expenses:
Entertainment
21%
Accommodation
11%
Food, drink & restaurant services
9%
Entertainment 1 2
Hiring means of transport
21%
Fuel
21%
Public Transport
21%
Taxis
21%
Entertainment 2 1
Admission to fairs & exhibitions
21%
Training courses & seminars
21%
Goods
21%
Inter-company charges
21%
Office expenses
21%
Marketing costs
21%
Professional fees & AP invoices
21%
Entertainment 4
VAT compliance in Romania.

Doing business in Romania? You’ll need to play by the VAT rules in Romania.

Who needs to register?

Registration is only required for businesses above the threshold.

VAT registration in Romania
VAT filing deadlines in Romania

Monthly

25th day of the following month

Quarterly

25th day of the month following the quarter

VAT payment deadlines in Romania

Monthly

25th day of the following month

Quarterly

25th day of the month following the quarter

Digital services in scope
Things to note

Romania applies VAT on digital services based on the consumer’s location, generally utilizing the OSS system for EU cross-border services.

e-invoicing in Romania.
Summary of the mandate in this country

B2G mandate in place

Yes

B2B mandate in place

Yes

B2C mandate in place

Yes

Obligation status: B2B e-Invoicing

Historic

B2B e-Invoicing model

Centralised Exchange Clearance Model

Name of exchange infrastructure

eFactura

Format(s) used

XML (UBL 2.1 / CIN), PDF (QR)

FAQs

Processing times for a Romania VAT refund can vary. Businesses reclaiming Romania VAT can expect it to take anywhere from a few months to a year, depending on the claim complexity and submission accuracy.

AFor Romania VAT refund applications under the 8th Directive: claims should be submitted by 30 September of the year following the year in which the VAT in Romania was incurred. Quarterly and annual claims can be made. For Romania VAT refund applications under the 13th Directive: claims should be submitted by 30 September of the year following the year in which the VAT in Romania was incurred. Only a single (annual) claim may be made.

Typically, if an invoice contains errors that result in it not meeting the statutory invoice requirements for Romania, the invoice cannot be included in a Romania VAT refund submission. The entity would need to contact the supplier to have the errors corrected for a compliant VAT invoice to be included in the Romania VAT refund submission. This is something that VAT IT can assist with, as we can contact the supplier on your behalf and request that a corrected and compliant VAT invoice be issued for inclusion in a Romania VAT refund submission.

Nearby countries.

Explore indirect tax information in these countries:

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