Excessive bureaucracy in the construction permitting system has long been a major obstacle for investors and developers. In recent years, however, the digitalization of this process has become increasingly present in Romania, with the launch of the national e-Construction platform and the integration of GIS systems at the local level.

According to data published by the Ministry of Development, digitalizing the process can reduce the average time needed to obtain a permit from 180 days to under 60 days. The city halls of Oradea, Cluj-Napoca, and Brașov are among the top administrations successfully implementing digital workflows.

The new legislation (GEO no. 140/2022) allows for the exclusive online submission of documentation, while the NRRP funds the development of interoperable platforms. The goal is to create a unified database of all construction permits and eliminate institutional redundancy.

Efficient digitalization brings major benefits: transparency, predictability, reduced administrative costs, and increased trust in the public system. For this process to become irreversible, staff training and the acceleration of secondary regulations are required.

(Photo: Freepik)