Work Permits for Romania

Getting a work permit for Romania is a fairly complex process, with a lot of documentation requirements and potential delays. The official processing time is 30 days, but recent challenges have made applications more difficult – the online appointment system was paused for most of 2025 after fraud was detected. Always check the current procedure with the immigration office before planning dates.

Romania sets an annual quota for non-EU workers – fixed at 100,000 in 2025 – and demand has run high in recent years, with quotas often fully taken up before year’s end. Rule changes in 2024 introduced tighter employer timelines – such as finalising contracts within 15 business days of a worker’s arrival – alongside more flexible EU Blue Card rules.

The laws governing work permits for Romania are similar to those of most European Union member states. After securing a work permit, you’ll need to obtain a long-stay visa for employment purposes if you’re a non-EU citizen, which is also known as the D/AM employment visa. To start this process, you’ll first need to have been offered a job.

Finding a Job in Romania

Types of work permits for Romania

Standard work permit

The standard work permit for Romania covers most regular employment situations and is the most common route for non-EU professionals. These permits are valid for up to two years. Your employer must apply for this permit on your behalf and prove that no Romanian or EU/EEA citizen can fill the position.

Your employer must have operated in the same field for at least one year before sponsoring you, and they must finalise your employment contract within 15 business days of your arrival or permit receipt.

EU Blue Card

Romania’s EU Blue Card has changed quite a bit. You can now qualify based on professional experience alone – five years for most roles, or just three years for IT specialists – without requiring formal academic qualifications.

The permit is valid for up to three years, and your salary must be at least the Romanian gross average. Family reunification applications can be processed simultaneously with your Blue Card application, and you can work in other EU countries for up to 90 days per 180-day period without additional authorisation.

Intra-company transfer permit

If you’re being transferred within a multinational company as a manager, specialist, or trainee employee, the intra-company transfer (ICT) permit provides a more straightforward process. This permit type applies only to internal company transfers and has fewer requirements than standard work permits.

These permits are valid for up to three years for managers and specialists, or one year for trainees, but unfortunately cannot be extended beyond these limits. Managers and specialists will need at least three years of relevant professional experience and a university degree. Processing usually takes four to five months, although employers sometimes report longer waits.

Secondment permit

Secondment permits are for employees temporarily assigned by their foreign company to work in Romania, typically through a subsidiary, branch office, or service contract arrangement. These permits are valid for up to one year within a five-year period and have a 180-day validity. Processing time is up to 20 days. You must notify the Romanian Labour Inspectorate at least five days before starting work.

After your secondment period ends, you can convert to a standard work permit without leaving Romania if your employer wishes to retain you permanently.

Useful links

• EU Immigration Portal: Highly-qualified worker (EU Blue Card) in Romania
• Euraxess Romania: Work permits overview
• National Agency for Employment (ANOFM)

Applying for a Romanian work permit

Applying for a work permit in Romania is entirely employer-driven. It’s up to your prospective employer to submit the application on your behalf to the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI).

Your employer must demonstrate through labour market testing that no qualified Romanian, EU/EEA citizen, or permanent resident is available for the position. This involves obtaining certificates from the Labour Force Agency and providing proof of recruitment efforts through regional employment services.

Your employer applies on your behalf and must collect documents from you, including:

• A CV and a signed affidavit affirming you have no criminal record, are medically fit, and have some (minimal) Romanian language skills;
• A medical certificate and a criminal record check (translated and legalised);
• Your educational qualifications, validated by Romania’s Ministry of Education;
• Copies of your passport or ID, plus two recent ¾-size photos.

Once your work permit is approved, you have 60 days to apply for a long-stay employment visa (D/AM) at the Romanian diplomatic mission in your home country. After entering Romania on your visa, you must apply for a temporary residence permit at your local IGI office – typically within 90 days of arrival. Some missions may also ask for proof of accommodation, health insurance, or evidence of financial means.

Your work permit ties you to that one specific employer and job. If your circumstances change, even if it’s with the same company, you usually need a new permit. If you’re travelling with your family, you’ll have to apply for a separate visa for each family member, and they are not allowed to work in Romania unless they also have their own work permit.

See our guide to Visas and Residency in Romania for more on long-stay visas and residence.

Useful links

• General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Long-stay D/AM employment visa
• EU Immigration Portal: Employed worker in Romania
• CNRED: Recognition of diplomas in Romania

Visa regulations are subject to change at short notice, and expats should contact their respective embassy or consulate for the latest details.