Millions of Romanians Resided Across Europe in 2026
Data shows over 5 million Romanian citizens lived in other European nations as of 2026.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Europe
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Approximately 5.1 million Romanian citizens resided in other European countries during 2026. The United Kingdom hosted the largest population of Romanian nationals among nations outside their home country.
Why it matters
Understanding these migration patterns highlights the scale of workforce movement and diaspora distribution within the European continent. This movement reflects longstanding economic and social integration across the region.
Official reports indicate 1.02 million Romanians resided in the United Kingdom, while 903,770 were registered in Germany. Additionally, 1 million residents were registered in Italy, and 609,270 were listed as residents in Spain.
The players
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom serves as the primary European destination for Romanian expatriates seeking residency.
Germany
Germany maintains detailed demographic data on foreign nationals through its Central Register of Foreigners.
The details
The United Kingdom recorded 1.47 million applications from Romanian citizens under the EU Settlement Scheme, with 684,380 holding permanent status and 100,000 having achieved British citizenship. In Germany, Romanian citizens maintained an employment rate of 72.7% as of November 2025, while Spain counted 1.1 million individuals holding valid residence certificates.
Timeline
January 1, 2025: 609,270 Romanian residents were registered in Spain.
December 31, 2025: 903,770 Romanian citizens were registered in Germany.
November 2025: 558,950 Romanians were employed in Germany.
April 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026: 39,000 Romanians returned to their home country.
June 2026: 1.47 million EU Settlement Scheme applications were submitted in the UK.
Travel Outlook
This migration trend is defined by the requirements of the EU Settlement Scheme, which established legal residency parameters for citizens following the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union. These figures illustrate the enduring scale of intra-European mobility despite shifts in regulatory frameworks.
Travelers and expatriates should monitor changes to residency registration requirements across the UK, Germany, Spain, and Italy. Understanding these registration thresholds is essential for those seeking to maintain legal status in European host nations.
The takeaway
The diaspora of Romanian citizens across Europe remains a significant factor in the regional labor market and population distribution. Monitoring the rate of returns and new registrations provides insight into the fluid nature of European residency patterns.
Further reading
For more on shifting regional demographics, visit the Europe section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Romania Insider.
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