Romania – Work Permits and Working Legally

Do expats need a work permit to work legally in Romania?

Under EU law, nationals of any EU or EEA member state enjoy identical labour rights to those held by Romanian citizens and face no requirement to obtain a work permit. Swiss nationals benefit from the same exemption. All three groups may enter Romania and begin work without any prior authorisation or visa process. For everyone else, however, the path to legal employment involves several distinct steps.

Third-country nationals — those from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland — must obtain a work permit before they can seek a long-stay employment visa and, subsequently, a residence permit. It is important to understand that a work permit and a work visa are not the same thing in Romania; they are separate documents governed by different procedures. Both must be secured before employment can legally commence.

What distinguishes Romania’s system from permit regimes in certain other countries is that the entire application process is driven by the employer. The employer lodges the necessary paperwork and pays the relevant fees at the offices of the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI). A prospective employee cannot initiate the process alone, which means that receiving a firm job offer is the indispensable first step for any third-country national wishing to work in Romania.

Certain categories of foreign national are not required to obtain a work permit at all. These include foreigners who already hold a long-term right of residence in Romania, and those holding a temporary residence permit on family reunification grounds as members of a Romanian citizen’s immediate family. Foreign nationals married to Romanian citizens, student workers on part-time contracts, and government contractors engaged in projects of economic or strategic significance are similarly exempt.

Exemptions also extend to individuals who temporarily conduct scientific or other defined activities under bilateral intergovernmental agreements, as well as nationals of countries that have signed specific labour market access agreements with Romania. Third-country nationals holding a valid EU Blue Card issued by another EU or EEA member state may additionally carry out economic activities in Romania for periods of up to 90 days within any 180-day window without needing a Romanian work permit. Those who have resided in another member state under a Blue Card for a minimum of twelve months may be entitled to work in Romania under special provisions without a dedicated work visa.

What types of work permit are available in Romania?

Romania provides a range of work permit categories to reflect different employment circumstances, covering permanent employees, seasonal staff, intra-company transferees, trainees, athletes, cross-border workers, and a nominal work permit. Identifying the correct category before the application is submitted is essential, as each has its own eligibility criteria and documentation requirements.

Permanent worker permit: This is the standard permit for foreign nationals engaged under a locally concluded employment contract in Romania. It is valid for one year and may be renewed for as long as the underlying contract remains active. To qualify, the sponsoring employer must have been operating in the relevant sector for at least one year, and the position must not be one that could be filled by a Romanian or EU/EEA national.

EU Blue Card (highly skilled workers): Designed for highly qualified professionals, the EU Blue Card requires applicants to hold a higher education qualification or equivalent and to command a salary at or above the prescribed threshold. Following legislative reforms in 2024, the minimum contract duration was reduced from one year to six months, and the minimum monthly salary requirement was reduced from twice the average gross national wage to at least the level of that average. Blue Card permits are valid for two years and can be extended.

Intra-company transfer (ICT) permit: Available to employees being relocated from an overseas branch of the same organisation to a Romanian entity, ICT permits are issued for up to three years for senior staff and specialists, and for up to one year for trainees. Professionals must demonstrate at least three years of relevant industry experience, while trainees must have worked for the same company continuously for at least three months.

Seasonal worker permit: Foreign nationals undertaking temporary employment in agriculture or tourism may qualify for this permit. It is intended for shorter engagements rather than long-term residence and is subject to its own set of conditions distinct from those governing the permanent worker route.

Trainee permit: This authorisation covers foreign nationals undertaking an internship with a Romanian company. The duration and renewal terms differ from those applicable to standard employment permits.

Digital nomad visa: Remote workers employed by companies located outside Romania can apply for the digital nomad visa, which provides a legal basis for residing in Romania while working for a foreign employer. It is valid for one year, is extendable by a further twelve months, and does not require the holder to obtain a separate work permit.

In terms of annual capacity, the Romanian government set a quota of 100,000 work authorisation spots for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals in 2024 — unchanged from both 2022 and 2023 — with no subdivision of that figure between permit categories. Employers and applicants are advised to confirm whether the quota for the current year has been exhausted before submitting an application, as doing so after the quota is filled would delay the process.

How do you apply for a work permit in Romania, and how long does it take?

Romania’s work permit system follows a strictly sequential path that must begin before the foreign national sets foot in the country. Rather than both parties submitting paperwork simultaneously, the employer must first obtain the work permit, and only upon receipt of that document can the employee proceed to apply for their visa. The stages below outline the full process for a standard employment scenario.

1. Secure a job offer. A third-country national cannot initiate the permit process independently. You must first secure employment with a Romanian company and satisfy any recruitment criteria set by the prospective employer. If they choose to hire you, the employer takes charge of obtaining the work permit.
2. Employer conducts a labour market test. Before filing an application, the employer must demonstrate to the IGI that the vacancy cannot reasonably be filled by a Romanian or EU/EEA national. The employer must additionally have been active in the relevant sector for a minimum of one year.
3. Employer submits the work permit application to the IGI. The employer lodges the full application — along with all supporting documentation and proof of fee payment — at any territorial formation of the General Inspectorate for Immigration.
4. IGI processes the application. The IGI is required to issue a decision within 30 days of receiving the application. That deadline may be extended by up to 15 days if additional verification is needed. Incomplete documentation is the most frequent cause of delays at this stage.
5. Employer forwards the permit to the employee. Once the permit has been issued, the employer passes it to the employee, who must then apply for a long-stay employment visa at a Romanian diplomatic mission abroad. The employee has 60 days from the date of permit issuance to submit the visa application; failure to do so results in the permit lapsing.
6. Employee applies for a long-stay (D/AM) visa from outside Romania. This visa is the mechanism through which foreign professionals first enter Romania for employment purposes. It is generally valid for 90 days and allows the holder to travel to Romania to apply for a residence permit.
7. Employee enters Romania and applies for a temporary residence permit (TRP). The TRP provides for an extended right to remain — typically one year — and formally confers the right to work throughout that period. It is obtained from the IGI after the employee has entered Romania on their long-stay visa.
8. Employment contract is finalised. Employers sponsoring foreign nationals on long-stay visas must complete the individual employment contract within 15 business days of the employee’s arrival in Romania or the receipt of a new work permit, whichever is applicable.

When viewed as a whole, the process typically spans a couple of months. The work permit itself usually takes between 30 and 45 days to be approved, and once it is in hand, the long-stay visa takes approximately 10 to 14 business days to be processed. Applicants should note that sourcing criminal record certificates from abroad can add meaningful time to preparations, and that any gaps in the documentation package submitted to the IGI are the single most common reason for delays.

One significant procedural disruption deserves specific attention: in April 2025, Romania’s immigration authorities suspended online work permit appointment bookings until October 2025 due to concerns about fraudulent activity, making it temporarily impossible to schedule the appointments needed to submit documents through that channel. Employers and applicants should check the IGI website to confirm the current status of appointment availability before making any plans.

What documents do expats need to apply for a work permit in Romania?

The documents required differ according to the permit category being pursued, but the overview below gives a reliable general picture of what is typically involved. Because requirements are revised from time to time, it is always advisable to confirm the current checklist directly with the IGI or the relevant Romanian consulate before lodging any application.

Documents the employee must provide to the employer:

• A valid passport — typically one that remains valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay.
• A CV together with a sworn declaration confirming the absence of a criminal record, physical fitness for work, and a basic command of the Romanian language.
• A medical certificate confirming fitness for employment.
• Certified translations of all academic qualifications and professional credentials, accompanied by a validation certificate issued by the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research.
• A police clearance certificate (criminal record check) from the applicant’s country of origin or residence — a clean record is mandatory for both the visa and residence permit stages.
• Evidence of relevant professional experience, which is particularly important for highly skilled and ICT permit applications.

Documents the employer must submit:

• Proof of valid corporate registration, active trading status, and the absence of material outstanding tax or social security liabilities.
• Documentation confirming that the company has been operating in the relevant field of activity for at least one year.
• Evidence from the labour market test demonstrating that no suitable Romanian or EU candidate was identified for the position.
• A draft employment contract compliant with Romanian labour law, including applicable minimum wage and sectoral standards.
• Company incorporation and tax registration certificates.
• Proof of payment of the applicable work permit fee.

At the visa application stage, the employee will also typically need:

• The original work permit issued by the IGI.
• Evidence of suitable accommodation in Romania and valid health insurance coverage for the initial period before integration into the local healthcare system.
• Financial documentation demonstrating adequate means of support during the stay.
• Passport photographs that conform to the consulate’s current specifications.

EU Blue Card applicants must additionally provide documentary proof of a recognised higher education degree and evidence that the agreed salary meets the applicable threshold. ICT applicants must supply proof of continuous employment with the same company outside Romania for the required period. The definitive document list for each permit type is published on the IGI employment and posting page, which should always be consulted before submitting an application.

What does a work permit cost in Romania?

Romania’s official work permit fees are modest by European standards, but costs arise at several points throughout the process. As with all government charges, the figures below are subject to change and should be verified with the IGI and the relevant consulate before any application is submitted.

Government permit fee: As of 2024, the fee for a standard single permit is approximately RON 100, while an EU Blue Card attracts a fee of approximately RON 500. This charge is formally the employer’s obligation, as it is the employer who submits the application and pays at the point of filing with the IGI. Employees should not ordinarily be expected to meet this cost.

Work visa fee: A consular processing fee of approximately €120 is payable when the employee submits the long-stay D/AM visa application at a Romanian diplomatic mission. This fee is typically borne by the employee. The exact amount should be confirmed with the specific consulate handling the application, as minor variations can occur.

Additional costs to anticipate: Beyond the official fees, applicants should allow for the cost of translating and notarising foreign-language documents — including academic credentials and criminal record certificates — as well as medical examination fees and any professional charges if an immigration lawyer or relocation specialist is engaged. These amounts are not prescribed by law and will vary between service providers.

It bears emphasising that employers carry legal responsibility for the permit fee in Romania. Any arrangement under which government permit fees or sponsorship costs are passed on to the employee is legally questionable. If you are asked to cover charges that would normally fall to your employer, it is strongly advisable to seek independent legal advice before agreeing to do so.

The most current fee schedules can be found by consulting the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) and the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly, as both sets of charges are updated periodically.

Can expats change jobs or employers while on a work permit in Romania?

This is among the most practically significant questions for foreign nationals already employed in Romania, and the answer, while straightforward, is restrictive. A Romanian work permit does not confer a general right to work anywhere in the country; it is issued specifically for the employer who requested it and is valid only in relation to the position that was advertised and approved.

Work permits are not portable between employers. If a permit holder wishes to move to a different company — even while their current permit remains valid — a completely new permit must be obtained. That means the prospective new employer must go through the entire application process from the beginning, including conducting the labour market test and lodging a fresh application with the IGI, before the employee may legally commence work for them.

At any given time, a foreign national may be employed by only a single employer, person, or entity. Taking on concurrent work with a second employer, or accepting freelance engagements beyond the scope of the existing permit, would place the individual in breach of their work authorisation conditions.

Work permits are also geographically specific to the circumstances approved at the time of application. If a role involves working across multiple locations or in a different part of Romania from that originally specified, the position should be clarified with the IGI before any such arrangement is put in place.

Employers are legally required to notify the immigration authorities of the termination or suspension of any employment or secondment arrangement within five business days. Should your employment end — whether through resignation, redundancy, or the expiry of a fixed-term contract — the IGI will be informed promptly, and your right to remain in Romania on employment grounds will be affected accordingly. It is prudent to seek immigration advice about your options well before employment concludes rather than after.

Permit holders who continue to meet the relevant requirements are entitled to renew or extend both their work permit and their residence permit. Renewal applications should ordinarily be submitted at least 30 days before the existing permit is due to expire, and must be accompanied by up-to-date employment and salary documentation.

What are the penalties for working illegally in Romania?

Undertaking work without a valid permit, or in a manner that exceeds or contradicts the conditions attached to an existing permit, exposes both the employee and the employer to serious consequences in Romania. The risks extend well beyond immediate financial penalties and can have lasting implications for immigration status.

Consequences for employees: Engaging in work without the required authorisation — whether deliberately or through misunderstanding — can lead to fines, deportation from Romania, and a prohibition on re-entering the country. A common and potentially costly misconception is that having a valid visa is sufficient to begin work; it is not. The full documentation chain — work permit, long-stay visa, and residence permit — must be in place before employment can lawfully start. Any breach can also undermine future applications for temporary or permanent residency, and ultimately for naturalisation.

Consequences for employers: Companies that employ foreign nationals without the required documentation face substantial financial sanctions. With effect from 21 April 2024, failure to comply with employment contract requirements attracts a fine of between RON 5,000 and RON 10,000. Employers who do not notify the IGI of the termination or modification of an employment relationship within the required five-business-day window are also subject to penalties under rules introduced in 2024. A pattern of serious or repeated violations may result in restrictions being placed on the employer’s ability to sponsor foreign workers in the future.

The March 2024 regulatory reforms introduced new obligations around the timing of employment contracts. Employers sponsoring foreign nationals on long-stay visas are required to finalise individual employment contracts within 15 business days of the employee’s entry into Romania or the receipt of a new work permit. Failure to meet this deadline carries its own financial penalty as set out above.

Romania’s immigration authorities, led by the IGI, actively monitor and enforce compliance with these rules. For employees, the most effective safeguard is never to begin work until the complete authorisation package is verified and in hand.

Where can expats find reliable and up-to-date information on work permits in Romania?

Romania’s immigration framework has undergone considerable change in recent years, with substantial legislative reforms in 2024 and ongoing procedural developments continuing into 2025. Given this rate of change, it is vital to consult authoritative official sources rather than relying on third-party summaries, which may no longer reflect current rules.

Primary official sources:

• General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI): igi.mai.gov.ro/en/ — the lead authority for the issuance of work and residence permits. The IGI website sets out descriptions of each permit type, required documentation, and contact information for regional offices. All work permit applications must be lodged by the employer with the territorial units of the IGI; the employee cannot apply directly.
• Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: mae.ro/en — oversees the long-stay visa (D/AM) stage of the process and publishes a directory of Romanian diplomatic missions and consulates abroad at which visa applications are submitted.
• EURAXESS Romania: euraxess.gov.ro — a particularly valuable resource for researchers and highly skilled professionals, with practical step-by-step guidance on the work permit process. Further detail on requirements for foreign nationals is also available through the official website of the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Protection and Elderly.

Given the 2025 suspension of online appointment scheduling at the IGI and the likelihood of further procedural updates, it is important to monitor the IGI website regularly for any changes to how and where applications may be submitted.

For the visa stage, the Romanian embassy or consulate serving your country of residence is the correct contact for matters relating to the long-stay visa. Consular offices can advise on any country-specific document format requirements that may apply to applications lodged in their jurisdiction.

Caution is warranted when consulting third-party immigration websites, recruitment platforms, and online forums, all of which may reflect outdated rules or have a commercial interest in the outcome. Any information about fees, processing times, or document requirements obtained from unofficial sources should always be cross-referenced against the current content published by the IGI or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before any decisions are made or documents are submitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do EU citizens need a work permit to work in Romania?

No. Under EU law, every EU and EEA national enjoys the same employment rights as a Romanian citizen and is not required to obtain a work permit. Swiss nationals are equally exempt. All three groups can take up employment in Romania on the same basis as a local worker, with no permit or advance authorisation required.

Can I apply for a Romanian work permit myself, or does my employer have to do it?

The work permit can only be obtained by the employer — whether an individual or a legal entity — on the basis of documents submitted to the territorial units of the IGI. An employee has no standing to apply independently. Your role is to furnish your employer with the personal documentation they need — passport, qualifications, medical certificate, criminal record check — so that they can file the application on your behalf.

How long does it take to get a work permit in Romania?

Once the employer has submitted the application, the IGI is required to issue a decision within 30 days. That period may be extended by up to 15 days if further checks are necessary. After the permit is issued, the employee’s long-stay visa application typically takes between 10 and 14 business days to process. Taken together, the complete process from employer application to the employee’s arrival in Romania commonly takes two months or more.

Is there a limit on how many work permits Romania issues each year?

Yes. The Romanian government establishes an annual cap on the number of work authorisations available to non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. For 2024, this figure stood at 100,000 — the same as in both 2022 and 2023. Certain exempt categories, such as ICT workers, Blue Card holders, and those benefiting from family reunification provisions, may fall outside the quota. The current year’s figure should be confirmed with the IGI.

Can I change jobs in Romania while on a work permit?

Romanian work permits are tied to the specific employer who applied for them and are valid only for the position that was approved. Moving to a different employer — even while the existing permit is still current — requires the new employer to submit a completely fresh application to the IGI, including a new labour market test, before you can legally begin working for them.

What happens if I work in Romania without a valid permit?

Working without proper authorisation, or in a manner that contravenes the terms of an existing permit, can result in fines, deportation, and a ban on re-entering Romania. Such violations can also jeopardise future applications for temporary or permanent residency and, ultimately, for citizenship. Employers who take on undocumented workers face significant financial penalties under Romanian law.

Can family members of work permit holders also work in Romania?

In certain circumstances, permit holders may apply for family reunification, allowing dependants to reside in Romania alongside them. However, the right to work is not automatically extended to family members; depending on their residency status, they may require their own separate work authorisation. Spouses of Romanian citizens are among those exempt from the general work permit requirement, but the situation of dependants of third-country nationals should be clarified with the IGI on a case-by-case basis.

Where do I apply for the long-stay work visa once the work permit is issued?

Once the employer has forwarded the work permit to the employee, the employee must apply for the long-stay visa for employment purposes at a Romanian diplomatic mission or consular office in their country of residence or nationality. Applications must be submitted in person. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (mae.ro/en) provides a searchable directory of Romanian diplomatic missions around the world.