The main objective of this research is to determine the stage where stands the new Member States of the European Union, that are not part of the euro area, in terms of nominal convergence. Based on comparative analysis, the research has highlighted that Romania, along with Bulgaria, Poland and the Czech Republic meet the criteria imposed by the Maastricht Treaty and are prepared from this point of view to join the euro area. The study also revealed the need to reform the nominal convergence criteria, because of their limitation.