SRL Setup
There are several ways to set up an SRL. They all lead to the same place: a registered company, with a CUI, that you can use for a bank account, contracts, platforms and payouts.
The difference is how much you do yourself, how much you pay, and how comfortable you are with the paperwork.
The options at a glance
Click an option's name to jump straight to its guide.
| Option | Estimated cost (rough) | Effort / Speed | Who it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| On your own, at the counter | ~667 lei ONRC fees 167 + share capital 500 |
High · Medium | You want to understand the process and the paperwork does not scare you. |
| Online, on your own via ONRC | ~667 lei + ~36 €/year Fees + capital 667 + signature ~36 €/year |
Medium · Medium-fast | You are fine with digital documents and have (or will get) a digital signature. |
| Guided online service | ~1,900-2,300 lei Fees + capital 667 + commission 600-800 + office hosting 600-850/year |
Low · Fast | You want speed and not to fight the forms. |
| Lawyer / incorporation service | ~800-1,600 lei Lawyer fee (sometimes includes capital + ONRC fees) |
Low · Fast | You want to avoid mistakes, have several associates or want a clean structure. |
Registered office hosting (around 600-900 lei/year) can be added to any of the options, not just the online service where it is listed above. It is not a mandatory cost: you only have it if you do not use your own address (your flat or house). Note also that at a hosting address you usually do not carry out activity there, it is only the official address for correspondence. See the registered office options.
The figures and timelines here are rough guidance. Prices, ONRC fees and processing times change often, so check for yourself how much it costs and how long it takes at the moment you file, do not rely on old numbers. The 500 lei share capital stays the company's money, you can use it after incorporation.
My order, if I had to choose again (cost aside):
- Lawyer or incorporation service. The least stress, especially with several associates.
- Guided online service (startco). Fast and hand-held, without fighting the forms.
- On your own, at the counter. Cheap and you understand everything, but it takes time.
- Online, on your own via ONRC. Last, because of the digital signature, which is sometimes hard and annoying to get and costs extra.
On your own, at the Trade Register
You prepare the dossier yourself and file it at the Trade Register. It is usually the cheapest option, but also the one where you need to understand best what you are doing.
You handle the name reservation, choosing the CAEN codes, preparing the articles of association, proof of the registered office, the required declarations and filing the documents.
Good if you want to understand exactly what your company looks like from the start and you do not mind checking forms, templates and requirements.
Estimated cost: the lowest, around 167 lei ONRC fees plus 500 lei share capital, maybe small costs for copies or trips. See the full route, step by step.
Online, on your own via ONRC
You file the documents through the ONRC portal. The upside is no physical counter visits, but the documents have to be prepared correctly in electronic format.
You need a qualified digital signature. If you do not have one yet, it becomes a separate cost, but it will be useful later too for the company, ANAF, SPV, e-Factura and other procedures.
Good if you are comfortable with digital documents and want to do everything without trips.
Estimated cost: low to medium. On top of the ONRC fees and share capital, factor in the cost of the digital signature if you do not have one. See the ONRC route, step by step.
Guided online service (startco)
An online service generates and files your dossier through a wizard: you answer simple questions and it prepares the documents. startco is one such example.
Faster and more hand-held than fighting the forms yourself, but you pay the service commission and usually an office hosting cost.
Good if you want speed and less hassle, without necessarily going the lawyer route.
Estimated cost: low to medium. ONRC fees plus share capital, plus the service commission and office hosting, around 700-850 lei per year depending on the type. See how it works via startco.
Lawyer or incorporation service
You give the necessary information to a lawyer or a specialized service, and they prepare the documents and guide you through the process.
The most comfortable option, but it costs more. You usually send a brief with the company data, the associates, the administrator, the registered office, the CAEN codes, and sign the documents.
Good if you want to avoid mistakes, have several associates, want a cleaner structure from the start, or do not want to lose time on the procedure.
Estimated cost: the highest. ONRC fees plus share capital plus the fee, usually around 800-1600 lei. See how the lawyer route works.
The first step is the same
Whatever the route, the practical first step is to check and reserve the company name.
Do this before you prepare the rest of the documents, because the name you want may already be taken, and the reservation has an expiry term. Prepare 2-3 name options, not just one.
What you should have decided beforehand
Before you start the dossier, you should know:
- what the company will be called;
- who the associates are;
- who the administrator will be;
- where the registered office will be;
- what the main CAEN code is;
- which secondary CAEN codes you add;
- how much share capital you put in;
- whether the company will have a work point or not;
- whether you need a lawyer, accountant or digital signature from the start.
For a game development studio, see the CAEN Codes for GameDev page before you finalize the documents.
Documents and templates
The document templates for the articles of association, registered office, name reservation and other documents are in SRL incorporation document templates.
For the list of steps and required documents, see the route that fits you: in person, online via ONRC or via a lawyer.
For the codes that fit a game developer, see CAEN Codes for GameDev.