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Category: Financiar · Acronym: CAEN
CAEN code (Romanian NACE activity code)
Quick answer: The Romanian economic-activity classification code identifying a company's business object, used for registration, licensing and tax reporting; harmonised with EU NACE.
Key takeaways
- Company registration — the business object is declared at ONRC
- Licensing — some codes require special authorisations (e.g. food, transport)
- Tax — influences VAT regime, taxation and eligibility for funding/state aid
- Statistics — INS reporting, sector analysis
What the CAEN code is
The CAEN code (Classification of Activities in the National Economy) is a 4-digit code identifying a Romanian company's business activity. It is harmonised with the European NACE nomenclature, so a Romanian firm's activity is statistically comparable across the EU. Each company declares a primary CAEN code and, optionally, several secondary CAEN codes at the Trade Register (ONRC).
CAEN Rev. 2 vs Rev. 3
From 1 January 2025, Romania moved to CAEN Rev. 3 (updated by INS Order 377/2024). Companies must update their codes to the new classification. The old nomenclature (Rev. 2) remains a reference for historical data.
Where the CAEN code is used
Company registration — the business object is declared at ONRC
Licensing — some codes require special authorisations (e.g. food, transport)
Tax — influences VAT regime, taxation and eligibility for funding/state aid
Statistics — INS reporting, sector analysis
Code structure
The code has 4 digits grouped hierarchically: section (letter) → division (2 digits) → group (3 digits) → class (4 digits). Example: 4711 = retail sale in non-specialised stores with food predominating.
Link to Azuvio operations
Azuvio is not accounting software and does not handle registration or CAEN codes — these stay with ONRC and the accounting tool. What Azuvio does, as an operational layer wired into accounting/ERP: during B2B partner validation (at order and invoicing) it can surface the client/supplier CAEN code pulled from public registers, helping quickly assess risk profile and commercial fit before data is passed to accounting.
Frequently asked
- What does CAEN code mean?
- The CAEN code (Classification of Activities in the National Economy) is a 4-digit code identifying a Romanian company's business activity, harmonised with the European NACE classification.
- What is a primary vs secondary CAEN code?
- The primary CAEN code is the company's core activity, declared at registration. Secondary codes cover additional activities the company may legally perform.
- What is CAEN Rev. 3?
- CAEN Rev. 3 is the new classification applicable from 1 January 2025, replacing CAEN Rev. 2. Companies must update their codes to the new structure.
- Where can I find the list of CAEN codes?
- The full list is published by Romania's National Institute of Statistics (INS) in the official CAEN Rev. 3 nomenclature and is also available on the ONRC portal.
- Does Azuvio manage CAEN codes?
- No. Azuvio is not accounting software and does not handle registration. It can only surface partners' CAEN codes during B2B account validation, as operational support for sales.
Related terms
- Declaration 394 (D394, Romania) — Romanian recapitulative informational declaration of domestic supplies/acquisitions, filed monthly by VAT payers to ANAF.
- VAT return (D300, Romania) — Monthly/quarterly Romanian VAT return reporting output VAT, input VAT and the net payable or refundable amount to ANAF.
- e-Factura (RO_CIUS) — Romanian electronic invoice in XML UBL 2.1, mandatory B2B and B2G via the ANAF SPV portal.
- SPV (Romanian ANAF Private Virtual Space) — Official ANAF portal through which taxpayers file returns, receive notifications and submit e-Invoice, e-Transport, SAF-T D406.
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