How many years of legal residence do I need before applying for Romanian citizenship by naturalisation?

For ordinary naturalisation you must have held lawful residence in Romania for at least 8 years before you can apply. The clock generally runs on time spent in Romania as a legal resident, and you are expected to hold permanent (long-term) residence status by the time you apply.

There are shorter routes for specific situations. Marriage to a Romanian citizen, with whom you actually live, reduces the requirement to 5 years. Other reduced terms can apply in exceptional cases, such as people born in Romania, recognised refugees, or individuals who have made a notable cultural, economic or humanitarian contribution.

Because these periods are long and your situation may qualify for a shorter term, confirm which category fits your circumstances before counting your years.