Want to Work in Romania? Read This Before You Start Looking for a Job

In the past few years, Romania’s job market has become increasingly attractive to foreigners, following decades during which Romanians left the country in search of better job opportunities in Western Europe.

But with salaries increasing rapidly, a good quality of life, and plenty of openings (especially blue-collar jobs), we’re now starting to see an increase in foreign workers here.

But it might not be as nice and easy as some job companies might try to convince you, so I am here to share the honest truth about finding a job and working in Romania as a foreigner.

Especially now, after some rather controversial public statements have stirred the otherwise calm waters of the Romanian job market. But more on this later – make sure to read to the end to understand the big picture.

Is It Easy to Get a Job in Romania as an Expat?

Today, it is easier than ever to get hired in Romania as an expat, since some fields are in high demand for workers.

But – and there is always a but – most opportunities are not in high-paying white-collar jobs. Foreigners are often hired in hospitality, construction, logistics, and restaurants. The pay is decent by local standards and better than it used to be, but it won’t match Western European salaries.

However, if you combine that with the lower cost of living, and the fact that most employees will usually pay for housing/rent and sometimes even cover food costs, you can get really good deals.

Most of the foreign workers I have talked to or seen interviewed on various media platforms – usually coming from South Asia and Southeast Asian countries – usually managed to save a big amount of their monthly earnings and help their families back home.

Also, opportunities do exist in more attractive fields like IT, shared service centers, and teaching English, where being a native speaker is actually an advantage. So how hard it will be for you depends a lot on your skills, language abilities, and expectations.

Recent Controversy Surrounding Foreign Workers in Romania

While this is in its very early stages (less than a month old at the moment of updating this article), an anti-immigrant worker movement seems to be starting in Romania.

And this is surprising at the very least, with so many Romanians living outside the borders for the same reason why foreign workers are now coming to Romania: better job opportunities.

But the MAGA movement and ultra-nationalist, populist speech is becoming popular here as well and it’s catchy. Recently, a Romanian politician from the right-wing populist party AUR, said that people should refuse deliveries made by foreign workers from Asia and Africa.

“Wake up!” he posted on his public Facebook profile.

While many Romanians don’t share his views, many do and probably many more will be convinced that he’s right. After all, almost 50% have voted for AUR’s candidate in the most recent Presidential elections (paradoxically, many of them expats themselves, working in foreign countries).

This is something you should know if you’re interested in working in Romania. It’s not pleasant, and most likely it won’t affect you in any way, but it’s the current reality, and I am always 100% honest in my articles.

Now, let’s get back to the job hunting process!

Do You Need to Speak Romanian?

Knowing Romanian makes your life and your job hunt much easier. At the same time, since Romanian is not widely spoken outside of the country’s borders, those who employ foreigners won’t generally expect you to know any Romanian.

Multinationals, IT companies, private schools, and even some service jobs are now open to people who only speak English. In fact, if you also speak German, French, or another European language, you may even find yourself in high demand.

For low-skill jobs, like fast food or construction, I’ve personally seen foreigners working with no Romanian at all. Employers hire them because they need the staff, though they usually expect you to learn at least the basics over time. Courses are available and fairly quick to get through.

So while Romanian helps a lot, not speaking it is no longer the deal-breaker it once was, especially if you can speak some English.

Bureaucracy Can Drive You Crazy

This is where things get messy. Romania is part of the EU and, since 2025, a full Schengen member, and the rules vary depending on whether you’re from inside or outside the Union.

• EU / EEA / Swiss citizens can work in Romania without a work permit. You’ll still need to register your residence if you plan to stay longer than 3 months, but the process is relatively straightforward (read my full guide here)
• Non-EU citizens need both a work permit and a residence permit. Usually, your employer applies for the work permit on your behalf. Expect paperwork and waiting times, but it’s doable. Read my article about getting the residence permit here.

There are still outdated rules that can block foreigners from certain professions. For example, some regulated professions like medicine or law are restricted unless you re-qualify locally.

I remember hearing that even Nobel Prize winners wouldn’t be allowed to teach in Romanian universities without having the “correct” paperwork published here. Bureaucracy can be absurd, so always check in advance.

The best approach? Secure your job before arriving. Companies experienced in hiring foreigners know the system and usually guide you through it. This saves you a ton of headaches.

Top Cities for the Best Opportunities

Location matters more than you might think, even though job openings can now be found in both small and large cities throughout the country.

Bigger cities – Bucharest (check out the best areas to live in here), Cluj-Napoca (here’s where to live), Timișoara (best neighborhoods here), Iași, Brașov, Sibiu, and Constanța – are where most jobs for expats are found. These cities not only pay higher salaries but also host most of the multinationals, call centers, IT firms, and international schools, also meaning better-paying jobs.

In smaller towns and rural areas, opportunities shrink dramatically. Unless a specific employer is already offering you a job, don’t expect to just show up in a village and find work. That’s extremely unlikely. Plus, for the most part, it’s not even possible if you’re a non-EU citizen.

What Kinds of Jobs Are Available?

I’ve mentioned these above, but it’s easier to skim through the list below. These are the most common job offerings for expats, but depending on your qualification, you can find basically any type of job here.

• Hospitality & Restaurants: Hotels, bars, and fast food outlets are usually in a big need of personnel. The same goes for delivery services (like Glovo, Wolt and the likes).
• Construction & Manual Labor: A high-demand sector, though physically demanding. It has better-paying base salaries, though.
• IT and Outsourcing: Romania is a major outsourcing hub. Many jobs require English, while others are in a big need of German, French, or other foreign language speakers.
• Shared Service Centers: Customer support roles for big international companies, where speaking German, French, or Italian can land you a job.
• Teaching: Private schools and language centers prefer hiring native English speakers – although the demand is not huge, as there are few private schools to start with.

Also, if you have a remote job, you could move and live in Romania for the lower cost of living. Getting your residence permit as a non-EU citizen will be a bit more difficult, but you have an additional route to consider here – the rather expensive digital nomad visa.

Salary Expectations: How Much Will You Earn?

I mentioned salaries rising in Romania, and that is indeed the case, but they’re still relatively low when compared to other Western European countries.

You can get an in-depth look at salaries in Romania here, but the TLDR is:

• Minimum wage (net): Around €520/month.
• Average net salary: Around €1,150/month, though in Bucharest and IT it can be higher.
• Hospitality/restaurant jobs: €700/month.
• IT or outsourcing jobs: €1,500-€3,000/month depending on experience.
• Private school teaching jobs: €1,200-€1,800/month.

Romania is also cheaper compared to the rest of Europe. Read about the general cost of living here, check out examples of prices here, or take a look at how much we spend each month.

Also, in many cases, you won’t have to pay rent, which saves you a minimum of €300 per month. Just double-check with your employer to make sure they do offer housing and ask about any other benefits, as some also offer at least one meal too.

Workplace Culture and Daily Realities

Romanian workplaces are generally hierarchical – managers still expect respect and authority, though this is changing in multinationals. Networking is important, and who you know can matter almost as much as what you know.

Foreigners are usually welcomed, despite the recent controversy I mentioned earlier, though you might feel the language barrier in social settings. The good news is most younger Romanians speak English, especially in urban areas.

For personal experiences from other expats, you can read Levi’s story of moving from China to Romania, or my in-depth guide to living in Romania as a foreigner.

Job Search Tips and Resources

If you want to go for a DIY approach, you can check out the most popular job boards here: eJobs.ro and BestJobs.eu.

However, it might be better and easier to go with a recruitment agency instead, as they should take care of everything for you. Just make sure to do your own due diligence in order to avoid signing with a scammier agency.

Facebook expat groups, LinkedIn communities, and even local meetups can be surprisingly effective when it comes to finding job opportunities, although many require you to be in the country already.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are so many variables to take into account when trying to get a job in Romania as a foreigner.

If you already have a job offer, things get super easy. Many companies hiring expats also help with accommodation, transport, and paperwork. If you’re coming without an offer, target the big cities, learn some Romanian, and start applying online before you arrive.

If you went through this – or are on your quest to find a job in Romania – don’t hesitate to share your experience below!