With these changes, the authorities plan to introduce new a digital recruitment platform, stricter rules for employers and recruitment agencies, and new visa categories. If adopted, these changes will significantly reshape how companies bring foreign workers to Romania.
Romanian immigration reform underway: what the new rules mean for foreign workers and employers
A draft emergency ordinance recently published by the government proposes a series of important changes that could significantly alter how foreign workers are recruited, how employers obtain permission to hire them, and how recruitment agencies operate.
The proposed reform comes at a time when Romania is increasingly dependent on foreign labor. In recent years, thousands of companies across industries such as construction, hospitality, manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, and services have relied on workers from outside the European Union to fill labor shortages.
At the same time, authorities say the current system needs modernization. The immigration process has grown complex, authorities face a growing number of applications, and concerns have appeared regarding illegal recruitment fees, secondary migration, and the protection of foreign workers.
The new proposal attempts to respond to these issues by introducing digital procedures, stricter oversight, and clearer rules for all parties involved. While the draft law may still change before being adopted, it already gives a clear signal about the direction Romania intends to take.
Below are the most important elements of the Romanian immigration reform currently underway and how they may affect both employers and foreign workers.
A digital system for managing foreign employees
One of the biggest changes introduced by the reform is the creation of a centralized digital platform called WorkinRomania.gov.ro.
This platform is intended to become the main system through which the Romanian authorities manage the recruitment of foreign workers.
Through the platform, authorities will be able to:
register employers that want to hire foreign workers
authorize recruitment agencies
process the new “single application” for work authorization
monitor the employment of foreign workers
publish shortage occupations lists
collect statistical data and generate reports
The platform is also expected to connect with other government systems, including the electronic visa platform used by Romanian consulates.
For employers, this means that future recruitment procedures will become largely digital and centralized. While this may simplify communication with authorities, it will also allow the state to monitor the entire recruitment process much more closely.
Mandatory employer registration before hiring any foreign nationals
Another major change is that employers will no longer be able to start the recruitment process of foreign individuals immediately.
Before they can hire a foreign national, companies will first need to register in the WorkinRomania platform. Authorities will then verify the employer’s eligibility and decide whether the company can participate in the system.
The decision to approve or reject registration must be communicated within 30 working days. Once approved, the employer will be included in a new official database called the Register of employers of foreign workers in Romania.
This measure is designed to improve transparency and prevent companies with compliance problems from hiring foreign nationals.
In order to be registered, employers will have to meet several conditions, including:
having no outstanding tax obligations
not having serious labor law violations
having a clear ownership structure and beneficial owner identification
passing financial and compliance checks performed by several authorities
For companies that regularly hire foreign workers, this registration step will become an essential first stage in the recruitment process.
Introduction of a list of shortage occupations
Another key element of the reform is the creation of a “national list of shortage occupations”.
This list will identify professions where Romania has genuine labor shortages and where foreign employees are needed. The list will be updated every six months and will be based on labor market data and consultations with social partners.
For employers, this list will become very important because permanent foreign employees may only be recruited for occupations included on the list. The goal is to ensure that immigration policies support real economic needs rather than replacing local workers unnecessarily.
However, it may also require companies to plan recruitment more carefully, especially if their workforce needs change frequently.
The “single application” will replace the traditional work permit
The reform also introduces a fundamental procedural change. The traditional Romanian work permit (“aviz de muncă”) is expected to be replaced by a new mechanism called the single application.
Under the proposed system, the employer or recruitment agency will submit a single application through the digital platform. If the request is approved, the foreign employee will then apply for a long-stay work visa at the Romanian consulate abroad.
Authorities indicate that the process should normally be completed within 30 days, which could make recruitment faster and more predictable.
This new approach aims to reduce administrative steps and create a more efficient process for both employers and immigration authorities.
New work visa categories
The reform also introduces new categories of long-stay work visas.
Two main categories will be used:
D/AM1 visa
This visa will apply mainly to highly skilled workers and certain special professional categories such as researchers, teachers, artists, athletes, and other specialized professionals.
In these cases, the employer will generally be able to submit the application directly.
D/AM2 visa
This visa category will apply mainly to permanent workers and certain other categories recruited through authorized placement agencies.
These workers will usually be hired for jobs included on the shortage occupation list.
The reform also suggests that the annual quota for foreign workers may apply mainly to this category.
A new "work and travel" visa
The draft legislation also introduces a new visa category called D/VM, designed for work and travel programs. These visas will allow young foreigners to travel to Romania while working temporarily.
Such programs already exist in several countries and are often based on bilateral agreements between governments. The initiative could help Romania attract seasonal workers and promote cultural exchange.
Stronger rules for recruitment agencies
Recruitment agencies that bring foreign workers to Romania will also face stricter regulations. To operate legally, agencies will need to obtain authorization and meet several requirements, including:
- no outstanding tax debts
- no fiscal violations in the previous 12 months
- no final criminal convictions related to economic crimes
- legal representatives who are citizens of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland
One of the most significant requirements is the introduction of a financial guarantee of €200,000 for agencies placing up to 1,000 foreign workers.
The deposit must remain available during the entire authorization period. Authorities say this guarantee is necessary to cover potential costs such as repatriation expenses or support for vulnerable workers.
This measure is likely to reduce the number of smaller recruitment agencies operating in the market, leaving room mainly for larger and more financially stable organizations.
Bilingual employment contracts will become mandatory
Another important change concerns employment documentation. Employers will be required to sign bilingual employment contracts with foreign workers.
The contract must be written in Romanian and also in a language that the worker understands, either the worker’s native language or an international language. The goal is to ensure that workers clearly understand the conditions of their employment.
Contracts will have to include detailed information such as:
- salary and payment method
- working hours and overtime conditions
- rest periods
- accommodation arrangements
- transport conditions
- health and safety rules
This measure should reduce misunderstandings and improve transparency in employment relationships.
New obligations for employers after hiring
The reform also introduces additional responsibilities for employers once the worker has arrived in Romania.
Employers will need to:
- ensure equal treatment between Romanian and foreign employees
- pay salaries through bank transfers
- provide workplace safety training in a language the worker understands
- inform authorities if a foreign employee disappears from work for several days
- keep employment documents for several years
Employers will also be required to support the integration of foreign workers by offering Romanian language courses and cultural orientation programs for at least six months after employment begins.
Higher visa fees and stricter sanctions
The reform also includes changes to visa fees and sanctions. The consular fee for a work visa is expected to increase from €120 to €300.
Authorities say the additional revenue will help improve consular infrastructure and digital systems.
At the same time, employers who fail to comply with the new rules could face serious consequences. Sanctions may include:
- suspension of their account on the WorkinRomania platform for six months
- removal from the employer register
- the inability to recruit foreign workers for an extended period
These measures show that authorities intend to enforce the new system much more strictly than before.
What the Romanian immigration reform means for employers and foreign employees
If adopted in its current proposal state, the Romanian immigration reform will represent one of the most significant updates to Romania’s immigration framework in many years.
For employers, the new system may initially require more preparation and compliance. Companies will need to register on the digital platform, verify recruitment partners, and adapt their HR processes.
For foreign workers, the reform could bring several advantages, including clearer contracts, stronger protection against abusive recruitment practices, and better access to information.
Overall, the reform aims to create a more transparent and controlled system that supports Romania’s labor market needs while protecting foreign workers.
For companies relying on international recruitment, the key message is clear: Romanian immigration reform is underway, and businesses should start preparing now.
