Romania for Beginners: Navigating the Legal Landscape (Vol. 1)

On January 1, 2025, Regulation No. 377/2024 brought into force version three of the CAEN codes (CAEN Rev.3) in Romania, which are standardized digital codes used to classify the economic activities of companies and self-employed persons (PFA, II, IF). They are equivalent to the NACE codes in the EU and the ISIC codes of the UN.

In Romanian legislation, CAEN codes are used for:
·      Registering companies in the Trade Register (ONRC);
·      Tax registration with the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF);
·      Obtaining licenses and permits;
·      Access to EU or state funding programs.

Who needs to update them and when?
·      New companies or new entries after January 1, 2025 – CAEN Rev.3 is mandatory.
·      Existing companies – upon the first new update of information in the Trade Register (change of address, addition of activity, etc.) – no fixed deadline or penalties.
·      Entities that are not subject to registration in the Trade Register – 15-day deadline before ANAF when changing CAEN.

Companies that are required to register in the Commercial Register update their CAEN codes only there, and the Trade Register automatically transmits the data to ANAF. This update does not mean re-registration, and the Trade Register issues a new certificate free of charge.

According to Government Decree No. 284/2025, published in the State Gazette No. 257 on March 25, 2025, all legal entities and professionals in Romania have a transition period of 18 months to update their activities according to the new CAEN Rev.3 classification.

This means that the deadline for updating is September 25, 2026. During this period, both CAEN Rev.2 and CAEN Rev.3 codes will be accepted. There are no automatic fines, but delays may lead to problems with permits or funding.