Working in Romania
The latest from the labor market.
Sorin Iordan, 09.04.2026, 14:00
The Mureş Local Labor Inspectorate (ITM) carried out an information campaign regarding the employment of non-EU personnel. The deputy chief of the ITM Mureş, Eva Man, said that employers from other counties also attended the information sessions, amid the increased interest in this topic. Man indicated that the sessions are held as a result of the protocol signed with the Labor Inspectorate and the General Immigration Inspectorate and that they are held twice a year. The information sessions are dedicated to both those who want to bring in labor from outside the EU, and those who already have such employees. Currently, in Mureş County, central Romania, there are over 2,100 citizens from outside the European Union, employed by about 540 companies or individuals. Most of them work in the hospitality, agriculture and trade sectors. The Romanian Ministry of Labor has set a quota of 90,000 newly admitted foreign workers for 2026, although employers have requested significantly higher figures, citing a real need of over 400,000 people, to ensure the continuity of infrastructure projects and services, amid the decline in the active population, especially in sectors with high demand for labor, such as agriculture, construction, industry, tourism and services. In 2024 and 2025, Bucharest approved 100,000 permits for non-EU citizens, mostly from Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Turkey or other countries in Asia and Africa.
Approximately 1,500 employees in Timiş County, in western Romania, will lose their jobs in the coming period, according to the Local Labor Inspectorate. The institution says that it has received 14 notifications from companies that intend to make layoffs. The affected sectors include IT, hospitality, gambling, as well as the electrical equipment and automotive components industry. Since the beginning of the year, 976 companies have been deregistered in Timiş County, most of them in the hospitality industry, while 3,100 companies ceased their activity in 2025. Despite these developments, the unemployment rate has remained low in the county, slightly exceeding 1%.
Hundreds of jobs are available in Vâlcea County, in southwestern Romania, the local Employment Agency announced. The offer is varied and covers both the need for unskilled and specialized personnel, the cited source states. Thus, 365 jobs are currently available, most of which are for people with no qualifications or limited experience. Among the most sought-after jobs are goods handlers and unskilled construction or demolition worker. There are also positions available for packers, waiters, commercial workers and kitchen helpers. In addition to these, companies are also looking for qualified personnel, such as electricians, mechanics, nurses, engineers or drivers. The unemployment rate in Vâlcea County, at the end of January 2026, was 3.24%.
On April 3, the police in the city of Braşov carried out an action to combat illegal migration and verify compliance with the residence regime of foreign citizens. The checks targeted public areas and commercial companies that use foreign labor. In total, almost 80 people and three companies were checked. For the irregularities found, the police applied 10 minor fines whose total value exceeded 13,000 lei (2,550 euros). During the checks, two foreign citizens of Indian origin were also found as staying in Romania illegally. They no longer had active employment contracts since May 2025 and had exceeded the legal period of stay. The two were handed over to the relevant authorities, and return decisions are to be issued in their names, with a deadline for voluntary departure. Representatives of the Braşov Police announced that such actions will continue in the coming period. (EE)
