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Hiring non-EU workers in Romania in 2027: what changed and how to prepare

12 Nov 2026 · EuroConnect team

Hiring guidesRomania
Two construction workers on a building site with rebar and bricks (photo: Construcción Total / Pexels)

Romania changed the way employers hire workers from outside the EU in 2026. The old two-step system – a work permit from the immigration office, then a work visa – has been replaced by a single online application. If you plan to bring in welders, construction crews, factory staff or hotel workers in 2027, this is what you need to know.

What changed in 2026

Emergency Ordinance 32/2026 (GEO 32/2026) was published on 27 April 2026. It abolished the employment permit (aviz de muncă) and moved the whole process to one online platform, WorkinRomania.gov.ro.

  • One "single application" now leads directly to a long-stay employment visa.
  • D/AM1 visas cover highly qualified workers and some special categories. They are outside the annual quota.
  • D/AM2 visas cover permanent, seasonal and cross-border workers. They count towards the annual quota and are limited to occupations on the official shortage list.
  • The quota for newly admitted non-EU workers in 2026 is 90,000. The 2027 figure is usually set by the government at the end of the year.

A bumpy start – and where things stand now

  • The platform opened on 8 August 2026.
  • In September, the Bucharest Court of Appeal suspended the shortage-occupation list (Order 1073/2026, 289 occupations). Employer registration and D/AM2 applications on the platform were blocked.
  • According to reports from early November, the Ministry of Labour is issuing new orders, the list is expected to grow to almost 400 occupations, and employers can resume recruitment from 15 November 2026.

Rules and dates are still moving, so check the platform and the official list before you start each file.

Who can submit a D/AM2 application

You have two routes:

  • Through an authorised placement agency. The agency must be authorised by the National Agency for Employment and lodge a financial guarantee of EUR 75,000 (for up to 250 workers). It works on the basis of a firm job offer from you as a registered employer.
  • As an authorised employer, hiring directly. You need at least 24 months of uninterrupted activity, an average of at least 50 employees in the previous year, no outstanding tax debts and a guarantee of EUR 1,000 per foreign worker.

Most small and mid-sized companies will use an authorised agency.

Step by step

  1. Check that the job is on the current shortage-occupation list.
  2. Register your company on WorkinRomania.gov.ro, or choose an authorised placement agency.
  3. Declare the vacancy with the National Agency for Employment (ANOFM).
  4. Prepare a firm job offer: occupation, number of jobs, working time, gross and net pay, leave, insurance, and who pays for accommodation and transport.
  5. Select candidates – ideally after a practical skills test and an interview.
  6. The single application is filed on the platform. The worker then applies for the D/AM2 visa at the Romanian consulate in their home country.
  7. On arrival, sign the employment contract in Romanian and in a language the worker understands, register it, and complete the residence formalities.

Rules and costs to plan for

  • Pay must be at least the national minimum gross wage, and the offer must state both gross and net salary.
  • If you provide accommodation, the rent you deduct may not exceed 25% of the worker's net pay.
  • Contracts must be bilingual. A Romanian-only contract can be fined RON 6,000 per contract.
  • Placement agencies may charge their fees only to the employer – never to the worker.
  • Budget for the guarantee (agency or employer route), travel, medical checks, translations and onboarding.

How long does it take?

Plan in months, not weeks. Before 2026, the whole process typically took several months, and the new platform is still settling in. If you need workers on site for spring or summer 2027, start selecting candidates and preparing documents now.

Employer checklist

  • Confirm the occupation is on the shortage list.
  • Choose your route: authorised agency or authorised employer.
  • Register on WorkinRomania.gov.ro.
  • Declare the vacancy with ANOFM.
  • Write a complete firm job offer (pay, hours, housing, transport).
  • Prepare a bilingual contract template.
  • Arrange accommodation that meets the 25% rule.
  • Plan pre-departure training and an onboarding buddy on site.

FAQ

Do I still need a work permit (aviz de muncă)?

No. Since 27 April 2026 the permit has been replaced by the single application on WorkinRomania.gov.ro. Files started under the old rules follow transitional provisions.

Can a small company hire non-EU workers directly?

Only if it meets the authorised-employer conditions (24 months of activity, at least 50 employees on average, EUR 1,000 guarantee per worker). Otherwise, use an authorised placement agency.

Can the worker be charged recruitment fees?

No. Agencies may not charge foreign workers commissions or fees. Their service fee is paid by the employer.

How EuroConnect can help

EuroConnect prepares skilled and general workers in Vietnam – welders, fitters, construction crews, factory staff and hotel staff. Candidates are trade-tested, you interview them online, and we work alongside your HR team and your Romanian placement agency on documents and pre-departure training. Tell us the roles and headcount at euroconnect.vn/contact and we will send a candidate plan within 48 hours.

This article reflects the rules and published reports as of 12 November 2026. It is not legal advice – rules change, so check with the authorities or a Romanian immigration lawyer before you file.

Sources

Cover photo: Construcción Total / Pexels (https://www.pexels.com/photo/10951145/)

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