Romania -- Work Visa, Jobs and Living Guide

Overview

Romania is the seventh-largest country in the EU by population, with a rapidly growing economy driven by IT, automotive manufacturing, and agriculture. Bucharest has emerged as a major IT outsourcing hub in Europe. Romania joined the EU in 2007 and entered the Schengen area for air and sea travel in 2024. The country has significant labor shortages in construction, manufacturing, and services, making it increasingly open to workers from South Asia.

Labor Laws

Romanian labor law is governed by the Labour Code (Codul Muncii). The standard working week is 40 hours with a maximum of 48 hours including overtime. Employees receive a minimum of 20 working days of paid annual leave. Overtime must be compensated with paid time off within 60 days or at 175% of the base salary. The probation period is up to 90 days for regular positions and 120 days for managerial roles. Employment contracts must be registered in the national REVISAL system before work begins. Employers contribute to social security covering pensions, health insurance, and unemployment. Night work receives a 25% premium. Fixed-term contracts may be concluded for a maximum of 36 months.

Work Permit Process

1

Step 1: The Romanian employer applies for an employment authorization (aviz de angajare) at the General Inspectorate for Immigration. Step 2: A labor market test demonstrates no suitable Romanian or EU candidate is available. Step 3: Upon authorization, the worker applies for a long-stay visa (D/AM) at the Romanian Embassy. Step 4: The visa is typically processed within 30-60 days. Step 5: Upon arrival, the worker obtains a temporary residence permit from the local immigration office within 30 days. Step 6: The residence permit is valid for 1 year and renewable. Romania has been expanding bilateral labor agreements with Bangladesh to streamline recruitment.

Industries & Professions

Key Industries

Information Technology Automotive Manufacturing Agriculture Construction Textiles Food Processing Energy & Oil Tourism

In-Demand Professions

Construction Worker Factory Worker Agricultural Laborer Welder Textile Worker Food Processing Worker Delivery Driver Warehouse Operative Machine Operator Electrician Baker

Companies Hiring Foreigners

Company	Sector	Website
Dacia (Renault Group)	Automotive Manufacturing	Visit
OMV Petrom	Oil & Gas	Visit
UiPath	Robotic Process Automation	Visit
Kaufland Romania	Retail	Visit
Dedeman	Home Improvement Retail	Visit

Key Cities

Bucharest

9200

The capital and largest city, a vibrant economic center with a booming IT sector and diverse industries.

Cluj-Napoca

4500

The IT capital of Romania and a major university city in Transylvania with a dynamic startup ecosystem.

Timisoara

3200

A western Romanian city with strong automotive and manufacturing industries close to the Hungarian and Serbian borders.

Iasi

2100

A major city in eastern Romania with a growing IT sector and strong cultural heritage.

Cost of Living

Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Bucharest costs 1,800-2,800 RON (360-560 EUR) per month, while in cities like Cluj or Timisoara it ranges from 1,200-2,000 RON. Monthly groceries average 800-1,200 RON per person. A public transport monthly pass in Bucharest costs 80 RON. Utilities including heating and internet run about 400-700 RON per month. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs 30-50 RON. A single worker can live on approximately 2,500-3,500 RON monthly outside Bucharest.

Climate & Weather

Romania has a temperate continental climate with hot summers reaching 30-35°C and cold winters dropping to -5°C or below. The Carpathian Mountains receive heavy snowfall in winter. The Black Sea coast has milder winters and warm summers.

Future Outlook

Romania offers growing opportunities for Bangladeshi workers as the country faces significant labor shortages due to emigration of its own workforce to Western Europe. Construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and food processing sectors actively recruit foreign workers. The cost of living is among the lowest in the EU, allowing workers to save effectively. Romania is working on expanding its bilateral agreements with Bangladesh for organized labor migration.

Air Routes from Bangladesh

Route	Airlines	Duration	Avg Price
Dhaka (DAC) Bucharest (OTP)	Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates	11-15 hours (1 stop)	৳58000
Dhaka (DAC) Cluj-Napoca (CLJ)	Turkish Airlines, Wizz Air (connecting)	14-18 hours (1-2 stops)	৳65000
Chittagong (CGP) Bucharest (OTP)	Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines	14-18 hours (1-2 stops)	৳68000