The Romanian citizenship language test is now a required step for most people applying for Romanian citizenship by descent: since March 2025, you must prove at least a B1 level in Romanian. I am a native Romanian tutor, and over the past six years I have taught more than 260 students from 44 countries. In this guide, I explain who needs the B1 certificate, where you can take the exam, what the test looks like and how to prepare for it without stress.
This article explains the language part of the process. It is not legal advice. Rules can change, so always confirm your own situation with the National Authority for Citizenship (ANC) before you file.
Key Takeaways
- Who needs B1: applicants under articles 10 and 11 of the Romanian Citizenship Law (citizenship by descent and repatriation).
- Who does not: people who were Romanian citizens themselves, and applicants aged 65 or older when they file.
- Alternative proof: a school transcript showing at least 3 years of study in Romanian.
- Where to take it: the Romanian Language Institute (ILR, online), the Romanian Cultural Institute and its partner exam centres (in person), or an accredited Romanian university.
- Cost: 250 RON at the ILR; 100 euros for a recent RoExam session abroad.
- Preparation: B1 means you can handle everyday life, write a short letter and talk about familiar topics. From zero, plan for several months of regular study.
Who Needs the Romanian B1 Certificate?
The B1 requirement comes from Law 14/2025, which amended the Romanian Citizenship Law (Law 21/1991) and entered into force on 15 March 2025. It applies to two routes:
- Article 10: former Romanian citizens and their descendants up to the second degree (children and grandchildren).
- Article 11: people who lost Romanian citizenship for reasons not attributable to them, and their descendants up to the third degree. This is the route used by many applicants from the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.
For these routes, the law asks for written proof of your Romanian: a language certificate at no lower than level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Who is exempt?
The law lists only two exemptions:
- people who were Romanian citizens themselves and are asking to get their citizenship back;
- applicants who are 65 or older on the day they submit their application.
You may read online that children or people with medical conditions are also exempt from the certificate. I could not find this in the text of the law, so check with the ANC before relying on it.
The alternative: 3 years of study in Romanian
Instead of a certificate, you can submit a legalised copy of a school or university transcript proving that you studied in Romanian for at least 3 years, in your country of citizenship or residence. This is common for applicants who went to a Romanian-language school in Moldova.
What about naturalisation?
If you apply through naturalisation (after years of legal residence in Romania, or through marriage), the law does not ask for a B1 certificate. Instead, your Romanian, your knowledge of Romanian culture, the Constitution and the national anthem are checked during an interview with the citizenship commission. In practice, you still need a solid level of spoken Romanian to pass that interview.
Is There a Deadline to Submit the Certificate?
Yes. Applicants who filed after the law entered into force received a transition period to submit their certificate. In March 2026, the Romanian government extended this period by one year, to two years after the law came into force, which means around March 2027. If the certificate is missing at the end of the period, the application is rejected.
Exam sessions fill up fast, so do not wait until the last months to register. A new bill filed in the Romanian Senate in September 2026 also proposes to change who can apply by descent. It is only a proposal for now, but it is one more reason to follow official announcements closely.
Where Can You Take the Romanian B1 Exam?
The law accepts certificates from a closed list of institutions: the Romanian Language Institute (Institutul Limbii Române, ILR), the Romanian Cultural Institute (ICR) and Romanian cultural institutes abroad, and Romanian universities accredited to run the Romanian preparatory year for foreign students.
| Provider | Format | Fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romanian Language Institute (ILR) | Online, on Zoom | 250 RON | You collect the certificate in person in Bucharest (no postal delivery). |
| RoExam (Babeș-Bolyai University and ICR) | In person: Cluj, Bucharest and ICR centres abroad | 100 euros (Istanbul, November 2026 session) | Limited seats, booked online. |
| Accredited Romanian universities | Varies | Varies | Check that the university is accredited for the preparatory year. |
Fees and dates change from one session to the next, so always check the provider’s official page before you pay.
How registration works at the ILR
The ILR announces its exam sessions on its website, a few times a year, with a limited number of seats. To register, you send one email with your documents: the application form, a GDPR statement, a personal data form, proof that you paid the 250 RON fee and a copy of your ID. Seats are given strictly in the order complete applications arrive, and incomplete files are not considered. Use your own personal email address: the ILR sends the Zoom login details to it, and passing them on to anyone else gets you excluded from the exam.
What Does the Romanian B1 Test Look Like?
Each provider has its own exam, but they all test the same four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
At the ILR, the exam has three parts:
- Reading comprehension and grammar: 45 minutes.
- Writing a text on a given topic: 60 minutes. Past tasks include an email to an institution and a 200-word story based on a photo.
- Listening and speaking: about 30 minutes, in two parts.
The RoExam B1 exam has five parts worth 20 points each: listening, reading, grammar and vocabulary, writing, and a speaking test in pairs.
The best way to understand the level is to try a real sample. The ILR publishes B1 model tests, and RoExam has a full B1 model exam with audio.
What “B1 Level” Means in Practice
B1 is the “threshold” level: you are no longer a beginner, and you can manage everyday situations on your own. At B1 in Romanian, you should be able to:
- understand the main points of clear speech about work, school, health, shopping or travel;
- read simple articles, emails and official notices;
- write a personal or semi-formal letter: a request, a complaint, an apology, a thank-you note;
- tell a story about something that happened to you and explain your opinion in simple words.
Grammar you need for B1
Based on the official B1 descriptions used by Romanian exam centres, these are the points that come up again and again:
- the definite and indefinite articles, including the possessive article (al, a, ai, ale);
- noun cases, especially the genitive and dative (casa prietenului meu, îi dau cartea mamei);
- the main verb tenses: present, compound past (perfect compus), imperfect and both future forms;
- the subjunctive (vreau să merg) and the conditional (aș vrea);
- the imperative and the polite pronouns (dumneavoastră);
- relative pronouns with prepositions (la care, despre care) and reported speech;
- linking words such as însă, ci, chiar dacă and fiindcă.
If some of these look new, my Romanian grammar guide for beginners is a good place to start.
How Long Does It Take to Reach B1?
It depends on where you start. If you study about one hour a day, five days a week, most English speakers reach B1 in about 8 to 12 months from zero. Speakers of Italian, Spanish or Portuguese often get there faster. If you grew up hearing Romanian at home, you may already understand a lot, and your main work will be grammar, writing and diacritics. I explain the timeline level by level in how long it takes to learn Romanian.
How to Prepare for the Romanian Citizenship Language Test
Here is how I would approach it if you have an exam date in mind.
1. Find your real level first
Take one of the official model tests in exam conditions, with a timer. Learners who grew up with Romanian at home are often stronger at speaking than writing, while classroom learners are often the opposite. Knowing your weak skill saves weeks of study.
2. Work on grammar with exercises and answers
The grammar section is where many candidates lose points. Practise the genitive, the subjunctive and the past tenses until they feel automatic. My Essential Romanian Grammar Workbook covers A2 to B2 with exercises and an answer key, which makes it easy to check your work alone. You can also compare other options in my list of the best books to learn Romanian.
3. Write every week, with diacritics
The writing part expects correct spelling, including the Romanian diacritics (ă, â, î, ș, ț). If you take the exam online, you will type your answers, so practise typing them too. Set up a Romanian keyboard on your computer now, and write one short email or story every week. If the letters themselves are still tricky, start with my guide to the Romanian alphabet and its pronunciation.
4. Train your ear with real Romanian
Listen to Romanian every day, even for 15 minutes. The free I Learn Romanian podcast has episodes with transcripts, so you can listen, read and check new words. Apps can help with daily vocabulary too; I compare them in my guide to the best apps for learning Romanian.
5. Practise speaking out loud
The speaking test is short, so you need to be ready to introduce yourself, describe your family and your work, and give your opinion on a simple topic. Practise with a native speaker if you can: speaking regularly is the fastest way to stop translating in your head.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Registering too late: sessions have limited seats and fill up quickly, especially as the deadline gets closer.
- Ignoring diacritics: writing “si” instead of “și” or “tara” instead of “țară” costs points and can change the meaning.
- Using the wrong register: formal letters need dumneavoastră and polite formulas, not the informal tu.
- Only studying vocabulary: B1 is about using the language, so grammar, writing and speaking matter as much as words.
- Trusting unofficial lists of exemptions: check the law or the ANC, not forum posts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the Romanian B1 test online?
Yes. The Romanian Language Institute (ILR) runs its certification exam online, on Zoom. You still need to collect the certificate in person at the ILR in Bucharest, or through someone with a notarised power of attorney.
How much does the Romanian B1 exam cost?
The ILR fee is 250 RON. RoExam charged 100 euros per seat for its November 2026 session in Istanbul. Prices at other centres vary, so check each provider before you register.
Do I need B1 if I apply through marriage or residence?
No certificate is required by law for naturalisation. Your Romanian is checked during an interview with the citizenship commission instead.
Is B1 Romanian hard to reach?
For English speakers, Romanian is one of the more accessible languages, and B1 is a realistic goal with regular study. If you want to know what makes it easy or difficult, read is Romanian hard to learn.
Talk to a Native Tutor About Your B1 Goal
Every learner arrives with a different level and a different deadline. If you are preparing for the Romanian citizenship language test and want a clear plan for your situation, book a free 30-minute trial lesson with me. We will look at your current level together and see how lessons can help you get ready. You can also browse all my Romanian courses or book a lesson directly.
