Romanian A2 requirement: 9 myths from expat groups, and what the law says

Why the confusion exists

Three things make the A2 rule hard to find and easy to misread. First, it was not introduced by a language law but as a short amendment inside an emergency ordinance about hiring foreign workers, OUG 32/2026 of 23 April 2026. Second, the ordinance is long, and its amending articles refer to other laws by number, so a quick read often misses it. Third, there are several different Romanian language rules for different situations, and people mix them up.

The myths below are all paraphrases of things people say in public groups. We are not criticising anyone, since reading Romanian legal text is hard even for Romanians. The point is to separate what is written in the law from what is assumed.

Myth 1: "Nothing on the immigration website means it is not real"

Absence of an announcement on a website is not evidence that a rule does not exist. A rule exists when it is published in the Official Gazette. OUG 32/2026 was published in Monitorul Oficial no. 335 of 27 April 2026, and the immigration authority later published the republished text of OUG 194/2002 on its own site. The A2 certificate is in the amending text. Administrative guidance, such as forms and checklists, often follows the law by weeks or months, which is why you may see nothing on the website even though the rule is already in force.

Myth 2: "I read page 32 and found no language requirement"

This one is common because the page numbers differ between versions, and because the text on the page people quote is real but about something else. In one version of the ordinance, the amendment at that point deals with Article 44, paragraph (9) of OUG 194/2002 and requires that the long-stay visa for seasonal work be accompanied by written information in at least one international language, covering the worker's rights, obligations and complaint procedures.

That provision is about helping a new worker understand their rights. It says nothing about the Romanian certificate. The A2 rule is in Article 45, point 51 of the ordinance, which adds a new letter f) to Article 72(1) of OUG 194/2002. Search the full text for "competență lingvistică" instead of reading by page number.

Myth 3: "The requirement is B1 unless you are over 65"

That is the rule for citizenship, not for residence. Under the citizenship law, applicants under Articles 10 and 11 must prove Romanian at B1 or higher, and people aged 65 or over on the filing date are exempt. Long-term residence uses A2 and, from 2027, a certificate. Two different procedures, two different levels. Anyone planning for citizenship should aim for B1 eventually, but nobody needs B1 to apply for long-term residence.

Myth 4: "Language schools invented it to make money"

Schools and exam centres do earn revenue from certificates, and you should always compare prices. But the requirement itself was created by the Romanian government in an ordinance, not by the schools. The more useful question is not whether schools benefit but which institutions' certificates the authorities accept. Ask any centre whether its certificate is accepted for long-term residence under Article 72(1)(f), and do not pay for a course on the promise that it will "guarantee" a residence outcome.

Myth 5: "It applies to EU citizens too"

It does not. The A2 certificate is a document in the long-term residence file for third-country nationals under the law on foreigners. Citizens of other EU member states fall under the free movement rules. Under Directive 2004/38/EC, EU citizens who have resided legally for five continuous years have the right of permanent residence, and the directive does not allow the host state to add conditions such as a language certificate to that right. A caution: the non-EU family members of a Romanian citizen are not EU citizens exercising free movement in Romania and may fall under the law on foreigners instead.

Myth 6: "My employer's course counts as the certificate"

It does not. OUG 32/2026 obliges employers who hire foreign workers to provide Romanian courses for at least six months and at least six hours a week. That is a duty of the employer. The certificate for the residence file is a separate document that must be issued by an accredited institution in Romania. A course can prepare you for the exam, but it is not the exam.

Myth 7: "I can still use the old interview in 2027"

The old route ends with the transition date. Under Article 52(6) of the ordinance, applications for long-term residence that are filed up to 31 December 2026 are decided under the earlier rules. The language interview in Article 72(2) has been repealed. Applications filed from 1 January 2027 follow the new document list, which includes the certificate.

Myth 8: "Business owners and everyone else are exempt"

A lawyer's comment that residency based on commercial activities needs no level 2 certificate is consistent with how the law is structured, because the certificate is a document for long-term residence and not for every permit. But this is not a blanket exemption for people. When a business owner later applies for long-term residence, the new document list applies. Beyond minors travelling alone, we found no general exemption written into the amendment, so ask for an article number whenever someone claims that you are exempt.

Myth 9: "It is only a rumour and it will be cancelled"

It is in a published ordinance, so it is law today. It is true that emergency ordinances must be approved by Parliament and can be amended, which means details could still change. That is a reason to check the current consolidated text before filing, not a reason to ignore the rule. If you are eligible for long-term residence in 2027, assume you need the certificate, and treat any later relaxation as a bonus.

Quick questions and answers

• When does it start? For long-term residence applications filed from 1 January 2027.
• What level? A2 or higher on the CEFR scale.
• Who issues it? Accredited institutions in Romania. Confirm with the authorities that your chosen centre's certificate is accepted before you pay.
• Does it expire? The amendment we read does not state a validity period. Ask the issuer and IGI.
• How much is the exam? Fees are set by each centre and are not in the law, so ask for the current price.
• Is A2Ready an official exam? No. It is a practice tool that helps you prepare, especially for speaking.

What to do now

Work out which situation you are in, using our guide to A2, B1 and the other cases. Read the actual provision for yourself. Pick an exam date that leaves room before your filing date, and start practising speaking early. A free three-minute test with the A2Ready examiner takes less time than reading a long forum thread, and it tells you where you stand.