Working in Romania

Expats planning on finding a job and working in Romania will find the country’s job market is experiencing labour shortages, and the country is actively looking for international workers to fill key roles. Salaries in Romania are relatively low compared to Western European standards, but there are growing opportunities across quite a few sectors.

Foreigners who wish to work in Romania will need to have a relevant work permit and visa. EU and EEA nationals are exempt from this requirement, although they’ll still need to apply for a residence permit.

Work permits are related to a specific job, and the employer will usually take care of all the details for the application. To employ a foreigner, the hiring company typically needs to demonstrate that there are no EU or EEA candidates able to fill the role.

Job market in Romania

The job market in Romania has a wealth of relatively untapped economic potential. Large areas of the country are undeveloped or dedicated to agriculture. Paired with its natural beauty, a wide selection of cultural attractions underscores a tourism industry that is open for development and investment.

Other areas where expats may find opportunities in Romania include the resource and energy sectors, along with industrial and manufacturing roles. The country also has a strong services sector with potential for growth and a demand for qualified expats with experience in finance and business services. There has been growth in the area of human resources too. Many HR agencies look to hire expats in executive positions at some of the larger companies and multinationals.

Expats looking to work outside a corporate environment should consider working in the NGO sector or teaching in Romania. The ESL industry has also been growing in recent years. Regardless of industry, most expats in the country work in the capital, Bucharest.

Finding a job in Romania

The Romanian government is actively promoting foreign worker recruitment, and a lot of Romanian companies view international hiring as a strategic necessity. Romanian employers are more willing than before to assist with work permit processes, especially in sectors experiencing significant gaps in the workforce.

Expats can search for employment via online job portals. As the state requires that Romanian companies announce their vacancies, many jobs are also listed on the Romanian National Employment Agency. Otherwise, expats should consider approaching a recruitment agency, as many focus on placing expat workers.

Work Permit in Romania 
Visa in Romania

Useful links

• Romanian National Employment Agency
• eJobs Romania
• BestJobs Romania
• Hipo Romania

Work culture in Romania

Romanian business culture is formal and hierarchical, with an emphasis on respect for seniors and elders. Decisions are made from the top down and are rarely questioned by junior associates.

Despite the layers of formality, relationships are central to success in the Romanian workplace. Romanian culture is quite collectivist, and expats from more individualistic cultures may have to get used to thinking of the group’s needs over their own.

Direct communication is valued, but you should also be sensitive and patient, especially when providing an opposing viewpoint. Part of this is maintaining eye contact, which is a sign of respect and interest. Formality tends to soften as individual relationships form, but this isn’t a process that can be forced or rushed. Allow your Romanian associates to set the tone of discussions.

Business Culture in Romania