Work Permits for Romania
Romania became a member of the EU in 2007. As such, the laws governing immigration and work permits are similar to most European Union member states. It is easier for an EU national to obtain a work permit and long-stay visa than it is for expats from outside the EU. In order to obtain a work permit, expats will need to find a suitable employer and obtain an offer of employment. The Romanian government has begun to put a quota system in place, which regulates the number of foreign employees allowed in the country each year. Work permits are granted according to the quota system and upon presentation of a number of documents.
In order to hire an expat, Romanian employers must prove to the government that they are a legitimate business in Romania. They will also need to show that the company is not in debt, and that they have made every effort to find a Romanian national to fill the position that they are now offering to an expat.
Romanian employers must also prove that the proposed employee has had suitable training for that specific position, and that they have suitable work experience in the relevant field. This is usually done through presentation of a CV and reference documents. Expats will need to obtain a medical check and a criminal clearance certificate.
Once a work permit has been granted, expats have 30 days to apply to the Romanian embassy in their home country for a long-stay visa for work purposes. Expats will need to submit a number of documents in order to get a long-stay visa. These include:
- Work permit
- Criminal record check
- Medical clearance check
- Proof of funds and means of support during the proposed period of stay (or the first few months at least)
- Medical insurance for the period of stay
Upon arrival in Romania, expats need to register with the Romanian Ministry of Finance, and get a tax identification number, referred to in Romania as either a Cod de înregistrare în scopuri de TVA, or Cod de Identificare Fiscala, which is similar to the National Insurance number in the UK, or a Social Security number of the United States. This is a relatively hassle-free process, requiring a passport and visa, work permit, address and copy of the employment contract. Some companies do this on behalf of their employees. Long-stay visas cost 120 Euros.
Expats travelling with their families will have to apply for separate visas for each family member. Family members are not allowed to work in Romania unless they also have a work permit.
