Romania: WorkInRomania reshapes non-EU hiring procedures

Romania has launched WorkInRomania, its centralised digital platform for recruiting non-EU workers.

Since 8 August 2026, physical submissions at regional IGI offices have been replaced by a fully centralised online process, under Emergency Ordinance No. 32/2026.

The core shift: employer registration on the platform is now a prerequisite for opening any individual immigration file.

Three new obligations for employers with Romanian subsidiaries

✅ Prior platform registration is now mandatory. Before initiating any individual immigration file, any company based in Romania must complete an eligibility assessment and create an account on WorkInRomania. The platform connects directly to Romanian public registries — trade register, tax authority, employee register — which reduces the volume of documents to be submitted manually.

✅ Employer changes are subject to the same rules. A non-EU worker already in Romania who moves to a new employer triggers the registration obligation on the new employer’s side. If that employer does not yet have an active WorkInRomania account, the change-of-employer procedure cannot begin.

✅ Company registration is separate from individual files. Registration is a one-time process that covers all future hires within the subsidiary. It must nonetheless precede each individual application: without an active account, no individual file can be submitted.

Before vs Now: what changes in practice

Two visa categories based on candidate profile

The new framework introduces two long-stay visas for employment.

The D/AM1 visa targets highly qualified workers, following a logic close to the European Blue Card. It is not subject to any quota.

The D/AM2 visa covers general employment. It is governed by an annual quota and a list of shortage occupations. This quota sits within the ceiling already set for 2026 [lien non disponible en anglais], at around 90,000 new non-EU workers — a threshold demand has already exceeded.

Teams experienced in work authorisation procedures will recognise a similar employer registration logic across both categories.

⚠️ Transitional period: files submitted before 27 April 2026 follow the previous regime. Long-stay applications introduced before 31 December 2026 also fall under prior legislation.

What this means for employers and international talent

• Romanian subsidiaries without an active account cannot recruit — or manage a change of employer. Registering before any candidate is in the picture is the only way to avoid the two-month delay.
• Onboarding timelines must account for the registration phase. Two months from scratch, before the individual file is even opened. Plans built on previous timelines are already out of date.
• Employer changes are a lesser-known friction point. A non-EU employee moving roles in Romania does not trigger a delay on their own. The question is whether the new employer is already registered on WorkInRomania.