Foreign nationals can relocate to Romania and engage in remunerated work, provided that they have a work permit in Romania. Our immigration lawyer in Romania can help you apply for the work visa and its corresponding residence permit.
Who must apply for the work permit in Romania?
Non-EEA citizens must obtain a work permit (work visa) before they travel to Romania to engage in paid work.
EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals are allowed to work in Romania without obtaining a specific work visa, but by meeting the conditions for holding a lawful residence permit during their stay in the country.
What types of work permits can I apply for?
Starting in 2026, there are two types of work visas in Romania. Our Romanian immigration lawyer lists these below:
- The D/AM1 work visa: suitable for highly qualified workers who will be employed in Romania for at least 6 months;
- The D/AM2 visa: for foreign nationals who require a work permit in Romania but do not meet the conditions for the D/AM 1 visa. These include permanent workers such as cooks or electricians (among others), seasonal, or cross-border workers.
What documents must I provide to obtain a work permit in Romania?
The list of required documents is influenced by the exact job and the applicable visa (one of the two types mentioned above). Below, our team lists the generally required documents:
- Valid passport/travel document;
- Individual employment agreement, duly registered with the Romanian authorities, or the contractual documents (indicating the secured employment relationship);
- Travel medical insurance, with sufficient coverage for the intended period of stay (minimum EUR 30,000);
- Criminal record certificate, issued by the authorities in the applicant’s country of origin;
- Proof of sufficient income (Romanian gross minimum salary, guaranteed for 90 days in most cases);
- Documents indicating the applicant’s professional qualification (CV, diplomas, others as may be required on a case-by-case basis).
What are the general steps for obtaining the right to work and live in Romania?
Applying for a work permit in Romania is only one of the steps required in the case of foreign nationals who must apply for this permit.
The work permit alone (D/AM1 or D/AM2) does not grant residency rights. The holder must apply for a residence permit at least 30 days before the work visa’s expiry date.
Work residence permits are applied for in person, at the territorial Immigration Agency (Inspectorate) in the area of residence.
Can my family join me in Romania?
Yes. Your spouse (and/or minor children) can join you. They are required to obtain their own residence permit by submitting a set of documents to the immigration authorities.
How long is the work visa valid for?
A work permit in Romania has an initial validity period of 90 days. The holder must apply for a work residence permit before its expiry date.
The work residence permit has varying validity periods (depending on the duration of the employment agreement), and it can be renewed, provided that the holder continues to meet the requirements.
What is the employer required to do?
If you want to apply for a work permit in Romania, you will have to submit a set of documents; however, it is equally important to understand that the employer is also involved in the process.
The following generally apply:
- For the D/AM1 visa, the employer submits a single application. This is done only when there is a genuine job offer;
- The D/AM2 visa is often used for employment in Romania carried out through an employment agency. However, in some exceptional cases, the employer may also submit the single application and handle the hiring process themselves, rather than through an employment agency in Romania.
Contact our immigration lawyer in Romania for complete assistance with work permit applications, both for the employer and the employee.