CNP (Cod Numeric Personal, Romanian personal numeric code)

The CNP is the number by which Romanian public bodies identify you. Romanians receive it at birth; foreigners receive one from IGI, the authority that also handles their work and residence. IGI's own information shows the principle: an asylum seeker, for example, is assigned a personal numeric code "to benefit from the rights provided by law", recorded on their temporary identity document as soon as the claim is registered.

For a foreign doctor or nurse, the CNP is part of the identity data IGI holds about you as a worker, alongside your employment permit and, later, your single residence and work permit.

IGI told employers in October 2024 that Government Emergency Ordinance 25/2024 changed the rules on allocating the CNP, so that it is issued together with the employment permit. In practice, the sequence for a non-EU doctor or nurse is:

1. Your employer applies to IGI for the aviz de angajare and pays the fee. IGI decides within 30 days, extendable by up to 15.
2. The permit is issued with your CNP. IGI can now send the permit to the employer electronically.
3. You use a copy of the permit to apply for a long-stay employment visa at a Romanian consulate.
4. After entry, your employment contract must be signed within 15 working days, and you apply to IGI for a single permit at least 30 days before the visa expires.

• Your details. Make sure your name and date of birth are spelled exactly as in your passport on every form the employer sends to IGI, because the code is tied to your identity data.
• Keep the permit. The employer keeps the original permit for the whole employment, and must keep a copy of your residence permit or travel document showing you are legally in Romania. Ask for a copy for your own records.
• Timing of the single permit. Apply to IGI in your county at least 30 days before your visa's right of stay ends, in person or through the IGI portal, with your passport, proof of housing, a medical certificate and the fees.

The CNP does not give you the right to practise. Doctors also need recognition and membership of the College of Physicians of Romania, and nurses and midwives the Order of Nurses, Midwives and Medical Assistants (OAMGMAMR). The IGI work permit itself requires that you meet the training, experience and authorisation conditions for the job, so start the professional steps early. Holders of an EU Blue Card follow the highly qualified worker route. See Romania.

• Delays upstream. Because the CNP now comes with the work permit, any delay in the employer's application, such as missing payment references, also delays your code.
• Cancelled permits. IGI cancels a permit that is not collected within 30 days of the scheduled date, which sends you back to the start.