Do my years on a student permit count toward Romanian long-term residence?

Not all time spent in Romania counts the same way toward the five-year requirement. Periods of legal stay for studies are counted at only half their actual length, so two years as a student effectively counts as one year.

Some categories do not count at all and are excluded from this route, including holders of short-stay visas, diplomatic visas, seasonal worker permits and au pair permits. If your time in Romania was mainly as a student, plan for the half-value rule and a longer overall timeline, and confirm your specific situation with IGI before applying.