Photo by: Jeff Belmonte

In some countries, onerous legal requirements, coupled with bureaucracy, mean it can take several years to get a divorce.

In Romania, a divorce can be finalised within one month.

A recent article in the New York Times shed light on this phenomenon when it told the story of an Italian couple who had established a short-term residence in Romania only to get divorced more quickly than would be possible in Italy.

In Romania, a couple without children who are seeking a divorce, must sign a divorce form in front of a notary. The two then have 30 days to withdraw the divorce request and after that, if the divorce is consensual, a notary can end the marriage.

Previously, couples had to go to court to get divorced.

Law firms abroad have taken advantage of this and started to offer the service to foreign nationals, according to the New York Times.

Arranging a divorce in Italy is a long-term affair. Spouses must have been separated for a minimum of three years. After factoring in legal processes, the divorce can take up to four years. Meanwhile, if the split is not consensual, it can easily take 10.

“Spain, France and Britain are also divorce destinations, but Romania is known as cheaper and easier,” the New York Times reported.