The CNP (Cod Numeric Personal) is Romania's national personal identification number — a 13-digit code assigned to every Romanian citizen and to foreign nationals with Romanian residency. It encodes the holder's sex, date of birth, birth county, and a check digit. The CNP is required on all notarial deeds, tax declarations, and administrative filings in Romania.
Foreign nationals who do not have Romanian residency must obtain a Romanian fiscal identification code (Cod de identificare fiscală — CIF) before completing a property purchase. This is a separate number issued by ANAF (the National Agency for Fiscal Administration) and functions as the tax reference for non-resident property owners. Without it, property tax cannot be registered and the land book entry cannot be completed.
The CIF for non-residents is obtained by submitting a completed Form 030 at any ANAF office or, in some cases, via post. Required documents include a certified copy of the passport, proof of the property acquisition (e.g. preliminary contract), and in some cases a certified Romanian translation. Processing takes approximately five to ten business days.
The CNP/CIF appears on all Romanian property tax bills (impozit pe clădiri) issued by local authorities, on ANAF income tax declarations for rental income, and on the land book extract after registration. If the number is incorrectly recorded by a notary or ANAF, corrections require a formal administrative process that can take several weeks.
Companies purchasing Romanian property use a company registration code (CUI — Cod Unic de Înregistrare) issued by the Trade Registry (Registrul Comerțului). Foreign companies must register with the Romanian Trade Registry and ANAF before acquiring property. This is typically handled by a Romanian lawyer and takes five to fifteen business days.
Key Facts
| CNP format | 13 digits — encodes sex, DOB, county of birth, sequence, check digit |
|---|---|
| Foreign equivalent | CIF issued by ANAF — Form 030 application required |
| Processing time | 5–10 business days at ANAF office |
| Required for | Notarial deeds, property tax registration, rental income declarations |
| Company code | CUI from Trade Registry used for corporate buyers |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do EU citizens need a CIF to buy property in Romania?
EU citizens with Romanian residency registration receive a CNP equivalent. EU citizens without Romanian residency still need a CIF from ANAF to register a property purchase. The process is the same as for non-EU nationals. Contact your Romanian lawyer early to start the CIF application.
Can I apply for a CIF remotely?
ANAF allows postal applications for Form 030 with notarised and apostilled supporting documents. Given the risk of delays, most foreign buyers find it faster to attend an ANAF office in person or have a Romanian lawyer apply on their behalf using a power of attorney.
What happens to my CIF if I sell the property?
Your CIF remains valid for future use. If you have no further Romanian tax obligations after selling, you can apply to deregister it. However, many foreign buyers who have sold one property keep their CIF active for potential future investments.