Close view of a folder with a burgundy booklet, papers and a small card.

CertiDocsThe practical guide

Romanian criminal record in Belgium: work and single permit

Romanian citizen or non-European resident in Romania: clarify your status, apostille exemption and translation needs.

Understand the process
Editorial lead : CertiDocs Team5 sources

Does a Romanian citizen need a single permit?

Link to this section

A Romanian citizen benefits from the work-authorisation exemption for EEA nationals and does not need a single permit to work as an employee in Belgium. A non-European national living in Romania is in a different position. SPW explains that a residence permit or right to work in another EU country does not, by itself, authorise employment by a Belgian company. Have the applicable procedure or exemption established for your status.

Official sourceBelgium.be - Work authorisation and EEA/Swiss nationalsSPW Employment - Residence permit in another EU country

Romanian record: when does the apostille exemption apply?

Link to this section

Regulation (EU) 2016/1191 removes apostille requirements for certain public documents presented to another Member State’s authorities. For absence of a criminal record, Article 2(1)(m) concerns an EU citizen whose document is issued by their Member State of nationality. A Romanian certificate of no convictions issued to a Romanian citizen falls within that scope. Residence in Romania alone does not meet this condition. A record listing convictions should not be treated as a certificate of no criminal record.

Official sourceEUR-Lex - Regulation 2016/1191, Articles 2, 4 and 6e-Justice portal - Public documents in the EU

Multilingual form or sworn translation?

Link to this section

For a document covered by the Regulation, a multilingual standard form issued by the issuing authority and attached to the document can avoid translation; it does not replace the original. Translation may still be needed exceptionally. For a single-permit file outside this framework, confirm accepted languages and formalities with the employer or competent authority. Romanian is not among the four languages in the Brussels ‘international agreement’ example: a document only in Romanian requires sworn translation there.

Official sourcee-Justice portal - Public documents in the EUBrussels Economy and Employment - Annexes, international agreement category

Preparation advice from CertiDocs

Which route fits your Romanian record?

Link to this section

Message to adapt: ‘I am a national of [country] and have lived in Romania since [date]. My Romanian record is for [job or procedure]. Which work authorisation applies, and what language, age and authentication requirements apply to this record?’

Which route fits your Romanian record?
Your situationWhat to checkNext step
Romanian citizen, employment in BelgiumExact reason the record is requestedRequest the checklist for the actual job; do not prepare a single permit by default.
Non-European national living in RomaniaStatus and applicable Belgian procedureHave the employer confirm the permit or exemption, then the application documents.
Romanian record for another EU citizenIssuing state differs from nationalityCheck whether another exemption applies; the nationality-state record rule is insufficient.

Documents to prepare

  • Nationality distinguished from country of residence and issuing country
  • Issuing authority, identity and issue date checked
  • Language, sworn translation and any exemption confirmed
  • Complete copy and recipient instructions attached to quote request

Steps to follow

  1. Identify the procedure

    Nationality distinguished from country of residence and issuing country

  2. Check the record

    Issuing authority, identity and issue date checked

  3. Confirm the formalities

    Language, sworn translation and any exemption confirmed

  4. Prepare the translation

    Complete copy and recipient instructions attached to quote request

Good to know

Budget

Prepare your translation request

Choose the document type in the form to see your fixed price.

One fixed price per complete document, regardless of page count. Confirm the price before submitting. See all prices

Prepare my request

Frequently asked questions

+Is my Romanian residence permit enough to work in Belgium?
A Romanian citizen benefits from the work-authorisation exemption for EEA nationals and does not need a single permit to work as an employee in Belgium. A non-European national living in Romania is in a different position. SPW explains that a residence permit or right to work in another EU country does not, by itself, authorise employment by a Belgian company. Have the applicable procedure or exemption established for your status.
+Are all Romanian records exempt from apostille?
Regulation (EU) 2016/1191 removes apostille requirements for certain public documents presented to another Member State’s authorities. For absence of a criminal record, Article 2(1)(m) concerns an EU citizen whose document is issued by their Member State of nationality. A Romanian certificate of no convictions issued to a Romanian citizen falls within that scope. Residence in Romania alone does not meet this condition. A record listing convictions should not be treated as a certificate of no criminal record.
+Does the multilingual form replace the record?
For a document covered by the Regulation, a multilingual standard form issued by the issuing authority and attached to the document can avoid translation; it does not replace the original. Translation may still be needed exceptionally. For a single-permit file outside this framework, confirm accepted languages and formalities with the employer or competent authority. Romanian is not among the four languages in the Brussels ‘international agreement’ example: a document only in Romanian requires sworn translation there.
+What should I send for a Romanian-to-French quote?
For a CertiDocs quote, send the complete record, reverse sides, stamps and annexes, with the recipient’s written request and planned submission date. Translation preserves the document’s date and content: it does not refresh an old record or correct an issuing authority’s error.

Official source

Official sources used

The references below are the public sources used to document this page. The competent authority always retains the final decision.

Official sourceBelgium.be - Work authorisation and EEA/Swiss nationalsOfficial sourceSPW Employment - Residence permit in another EU countryOfficial sourceEUR-Lex - Regulation 2016/1191, Articles 2, 4 and 6Official sourcee-Justice portal - Public documents in the EUOfficial sourceBrussels Economy and Employment - Annexes, international agreement category

CertiDocs analysis: CertiDocs explains the process and helps connect users with a professional. CertiDocs is not a public service and is not affiliated with any authority.