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为了方便大家阅读，律咖网编辑 JingJing（微信：lvga2015）对原文进行了细致的逻辑润色与合规性整理。希望能给正在 罗马尼亚 创业路上的你带来真实的参考。

I still remember the morning I sat in a Bucharest café, staring at my laptop screen, trying to decide whether to click “Submit” on what I hoped would be my company’s registration form.

It was May 2026. I’d been in Romania for three weeks, mostly waiting — for responses from local agents, for translation of documents, for clarity on whether online signing was even possible. I’m Dongqinghua, 27, from Liaoning, a graduate in Library and Information Science from Shandong University. My business? A smart companion device for air conditioners — small, niche, but with potential in markets like Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe. I’d left China with a team of three. Now, I’m alone.

The pressure isn’t just financial. It’s the silence after someone leaves. Two teammates quit in the same month. One said, “I can’t keep betting on something that doesn’t have a clear legal path.” That hit me harder than any invoice.

I came to Bucharest because I’d read — in articles, in forums, in whispers — that Romania offered something rare: relatively low costs, EU access, and a government that seemed open to digital innovation. But when I asked, “Is online signing supported for offshore company registration?” — no one gave me a straight answer.

The Question That Won’t Go Away

Let me be clear: I’m not asking whether I can register a company here. I know that’s possible. I’ve seen the official portal of the National Trade Register Office (Registul Comerțului). I’ve downloaded the PDFs. I’ve even tried filling out Form 1101 — the application for incorporation — in Romanian, with Google Translate’s help. But the real question is this: Can the entire process — from notarization to shareholder signatures — be completed remotely, without ever stepping into a notary’s office?

The answer, as best I can tell, is: It depends.

Some agencies I spoke with said yes — if you use a certified digital signature from an EU-recognized provider (like eIDAS-compliant services). Others insisted that the Articles of Association must be signed in front of a Romanian notary, and that this is non-negotiable. One agent, a woman named Elena who speaks fluent English and has worked with over 200 foreign founders, told me:

“In theory, if your home country allows e-signatures recognized under the EU’s eIDAS Regulation, and your documents are apostilled, then yes — it’s possible. But in practice? Most judges and registry clerks still prefer wet ink. It’s not about the law. It’s about habit.”

That’s the moment I realized: the system isn’t broken. It’s just slow.

The Hidden Variables

Here’s what I’ve learned through trial, error, and too many late-night Zoom calls:

  1. Digital Signatures Are Legally Valid — But Not Universally Accepted
    The EU’s eIDAS Regulation (No 910/2014) does recognize qualified electronic signatures as legally equivalent to handwritten ones. That’s the theory. But in Bucharest, registry offices still operate on a “see it, touch it, stamp it” model. Even if your signature is legally valid, the clerk may refuse to process it unless you’ve used their preferred provider — and most don’t list those publicly.

  2. The Notary Hurdle Is Real
    I contacted three notaries. Two said they’d accept digital signatures if accompanied by a certified translation and apostille. The third flatly said: “No. We don’t do that here.”
    I asked why. He shrugged: “I’ve been doing this since 1998. I don’t know how to verify a digital signature. I don’t have the equipment. I’m not trained.”
    That’s not corruption. That’s inertia.

  3. Time Is the Real Cost
    I thought I’d save money by avoiding travel. Instead, I’ve spent 47 hours on emails, translations, and follow-ups. One document took 11 days to get apostilled because the Chinese embassy in Bucharest was understaffed.
    I used to think time was free. Now I know: time is the most expensive currency in cross-border registration.

I’ve started to wonder: Did I come here to build a company — or to become a professional document handler?

A Framework for Decision-Making

I don’t have a magic solution. But here’s how I’m thinking about it now:

  • If you’re in a hurry: Go in person. Book a notary appointment. Pay the extra €150 for expedited processing. You’ll save weeks.
  • If you’re resourceful and patient: Try the digital route — but only if you’ve already secured:
    ✅ An apostilled company registration certificate from your home country
    ✅ A certified e-signature from an EU-recognized provider (e.g., DigiD, Signaturit, or a Romanian provider like Semnatura Digitala)
    ✅ A notary who has processed digital signatures before (ask for references — don’t assume)
    ✅ A local agent who can physically submit documents on your behalf

I used a local service called Bucharest Business Hub — not because they promised success, but because they told me honestly: “We’ve done 12 digital registrations in the last year. Six succeeded. Six got returned for ‘formal deficiencies.’ We don’t know why. We just fix them.”

That honesty — the lack of overpromising — is why I trust them.

What’s Changing? (And What Isn’t)

The news from June 19 caught my eye: Romania extended its 30% cash rebate program for film and media production through 2031. That’s a signal. The government is trying to attract foreign capital — and it’s doing so with tangible incentives.

Another report from Seeking Alpha noted Rheinmetall’s continued investment in Romania’s defense sector — a sign that multinational firms still see value here, despite political noise.

But here’s what no one’s talking about: the gap between policy ambition and administrative reality.

Romania wants to be digital. But its public offices? They’re still paper-based. The law says one thing. The practice says another.

This isn’t unique to Romania. I’ve seen it in Vietnam, in Indonesia, even in Poland. The laws evolve faster than the people who enforce them.

Three Actionable Steps — No Promises, Just Paths

If you’re considering registering an offshore company in Bucharest, here’s what I’d do:

  1. Start with the official portal: Visit https://www.rac.gov.ro — the National Trade Register. Download the “Guide for Foreign Investors.” Read it twice. Translate it with DeepL, not Google.
    → Path: Go to “Informații pentru investitori străini” → Download PDF “Ghid pentru investitorii străini 2026”

  2. Contact at least three local service providers — not just agents, but accountants or lawyers who specialize in foreign entities. Ask:

    • “Have you completed an online registration with e-signature in the last 6 months?”
    • “Can you share a recent case reference?”
    • “What documents did the registry office reject, and why?”
      → Tip: Avoid anyone who says “We guarantee approval.” Say hello to someone who says, “We’ve had 3 rejections this month — here’s how we fixed them.”

  3. Prepare for the worst-case scenario: Assume you’ll need to fly to Bucharest for one day. Budget €800 for:

    • Notary fee (€100–150)
    • Translation and apostille (€200)
    • One night’s hotel + taxi (€300)
    • A local lawyer to sit with you (€150)
      → This isn’t a cost. It’s insurance.

Reflection

I used to think the goal was to build a company as fast as possible. Now I realize: the goal is to build a reliable process. One that can survive change — whether it’s a new notary, a new regulation, or a new team member who leaves.

I’m not sure if online signing will work for me. But I’m glad I asked. I’m glad I didn’t assume. I’m glad I listened to the quiet voices — the ones who say, “It’s possible, but…”

That’s the difference between hope and preparation.

FAQ

Q1: Can I use a digital signature from China to register a company in Bucharest?
→ Step 1: Confirm your e-signature provider is certified under eIDAS (e.g., Alibaba Cloud’s e-signature is not).
→ Step 2: Get your signature notarized by a Chinese notary public with an apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
→ Step 3: Submit with a certified Romanian translation.
→ Key Point: Even if valid under EU law, Romanian registry offices may still reject it. Always verify with your chosen agent first.

Q2: Is there a list of notaries in Bucharest who accept digital signatures?
→ Step 1: Visit the Romanian Notaries’ Association website: https://www.notariati.ro
→ Step 2: Filter by “București” and contact 5–10 offices directly.
→ Step 3: Ask: “Acceptați semnături digitale eIDAS pentru înregistrarea de societăți?”
→ Key Point: No public directory exists. You must ask individually. Don’t rely on third-party websites.

Q3: Do I need to be physically present to open a bank account for the company?
→ Step 1: Some banks (like BRD or Banca Transilvania) allow remote account opening if you’ve already registered the company and have a digital signature.
→ Step 2: Prepare: Company registration certificate, articles of association, proof of address, passport, and a letter from your agent.
→ Step 3: Book a video call with the bank’s international desk — not the branch.
→ Key Point: Even “remote” accounts often require a physical visit within 90 days. Confirm this before proceeding.

延伸阅读

🔸 Rheinmetall: Romania Proves The Market Wrong 🗞️ 来源: seekingalpha – 📅 2026-06-19
🔗 阅读原文

🔸 Romania Approves Three-Year Extension of Revamped 30% Cash Rebate Program (EXCLUSIVE) 🗞️ 来源: variety – 📅 2026-06-19
🔗 阅读原文

🔸 Germany, Poland, Romania accused of locking EU into fossil fuels 🗞️ 来源: google – 📅 2026-06-19
🔗 阅读原文

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If you’re also navigating this path — whether in Bucharest, Sofia, or somewhere else — I’d love to hear how you’re handling it.
JingJing at Lvga.com runs a quiet, no-fluff community of founders who share what actually works.
You can find her on WeChat: lvga2015. She doesn’t sell services. She just listens.
And sometimes, that’s all you need.