Romania’s Labour Market and Work Opportunities for Foreigners
Romania, as one of the developing countries within the European Union, has, over the past decade, faced a shortage of skilled labour, particularly in the sectors of technology, healthcare, and services. Consequently, it has opened its labour market to international migrants.
1. Overview of Romania’s Labour Market
•Official unemployment rate (2024): approximately 5.4%
•In-demand professions:
•Programming and Information Technology
•Nursing and healthcare services
•Engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical)
•Foreign language teaching
•Professional drivers, technical and construction workers
•Accounting and finance staff
•Cities with the highest employment opportunities:
Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Iași, and Brașov
2. Pathways for Work Migration to Romania
a. Direct Employment with a Job Offer
•Romanian employers must first obtain permission from the Immigration Office to hire a foreign worker.
•Upon approval, a formal invitation is issued, allowing the applicant to apply for a Type D/AM Work Visa.
b. Job-Seeker Visa (Under Consideration)
•Romania is currently considering a programme similar to Germany’s Job-Seeker Visa, although it has not yet been implemented.
c. Through Study and Conversion to a Work Permit
•Graduates from Romanian universities can seek employment after graduation and convert their student residence permit into a work residence permit.
3. General Requirements for Obtaining a Romanian Work Visa
•Official job offer/invitation from a licensed employer
•A signed employment contract for a minimum of one year
•Educational qualifications relevant to the position
•Relevant work experience (required in many cases)
•Reasonable proficiency in Romanian or English (depending on the job)
•Criminal record certificate
•Valid health insurance
•Proof of initial financial means for entry
4. Average Salaries and Employee Benefits
•Average monthly salaries:
•IT Sector: between €1,800 and €3,000
•Engineering: around €1,500
•Technical and general occupations: €700 to €1,000
•Nurses: around €900 to €1,300
•Working hours: typically 40 hours per week
•Annual leave: minimum of 21 days, plus public holidays
•Insurance: all employees must be covered by social and health insurance schemes.
5. Required Documents for a Romanian Work Visa
•Official visa application form
•Signed employment contract
•Invitation letter from the Immigration Office
•Identification documents (passport, photographs)
•Educational certificates with official translations
•Professional CV
•Medical health certificate
•Criminal record certificate
•Proof of financial means
6. Visa Validity and Work Residency
•Initial visa validity: usually 1 year
•Renewal: annually, based on the continuation of the employment contract
•After five years of continuous work residency, you may become eligible for permanent residency.
•After eight years of legal residence in Romania (and five years following permanent residency), you may apply for Romanian citizenship.
7. Key Considerations for Iranian Applicants
•For certain fields (such as medicine or nursing), qualification recognition is mandatory.
•Having a travel history within the European Union, holding a language certificate (English or Romanian), and submitting a EUROPASS CV significantly enhance your chances of securing employment.
•Iranians residing in countries such as Turkey or the UAE can also apply for a Romanian work visa from their country of residence.
Final Notes
•Plan ahead and prepare all documents carefully to avoid delays in the visa application process.
•Maintain close communication with your Romanian employer to understand job conditions and any available support.
•For further guidance and professional assistance, you may contact our experts at ETE Visa.
By following these steps and recommendations, you can successfully obtain a Romanian work visa and enjoy a unique experience of living and working in this beautiful country.
