Romania's Position in the 2026 Nomad Passport Index
In the 2026 Nomad Passport Index, which ranks the world's most powerful travel documents, Romania has secured second place. It shares this prestigious spot with Greece and Ireland, trailing only Malta. This marks a dramatic rise of roughly twenty positions from the previous year, a surge likely to significantly boost interest in acquiring Romanian citizenship, particularly among individuals from former Soviet states, including Ukraine.
Drivers of Interest in Romanian Citizenship
A key factor fueling this interest is Romania's recent full accession to the Schengen Area, which unlocks enhanced travel and business opportunities across Europe. Moldova's President, Maia Sandu, has noted that approximately 1.5 million Moldovan citizens already hold Romanian passports, indicating substantial regional demand. For context, the Nomad Passport Index evaluates passports based on criteria like freedom of movement, international perception, dual citizenship recognition, and legal predictability.
- Between 2018 and 2024, around 428,000 applications for Romanian citizenship were registered.
- Approximately 134,000 decisions were issued between 2022 and 2024.
- On average, about 44,000 to 45,000 decisions are made annually.
- Roughly 5,000 new applications are submitted each month.
For Ukrainians, new possibilities have emerged since January 16, 2026, when Ukraine officially adopted a model permitting dual citizenship. This could facilitate the process of obtaining a Romanian passport. Meanwhile, temporary protection for Ukrainians in the EU has been extended until March 4, 2027. Among the foreign citizenships held by Ukrainians, Romania is a leading option, alongside Hungary and Bulgaria.
Considering all these developments—Romania's Schengen status, Ukraine's dual citizenship model, and the passport's high ranking—acquiring Romanian citizenship presents a strategic advantage for Ukrainians seeking to expand their international mobility and access to the European Union.