The Romanian government has approved the admission of up to 90,000 new foreign workers in 2026, as employers continue to face significant staff shortages across several industries.
The measure (announced in December 2025) is intended to help businesses fill vacancies that have remained open due to a lack of available local workers. Demand for Romanian work permits among citizens from outside the European Union also remains high. The quota for 2026 is less than that of last year, when it was set at 100,000.
Below is the number of work visas issued over the past few years:
| Year | Employment/Posting Permits Issued |
| 2026 | 90,000 (New Quota) |
| 2025 | 83,000 (till September 2025) |
| 2024 | 105,977 |
| 2023 | 101,254 |
| 2022 | 108,882 |
| 2021 | 49,954 |
Shortage Occupations in Romania
Romania’s workforce shortage affects a broad range of industries, particularly logistics, construction, retail, transport, hospitality and security. The occupations reporting the highest numbers of vacancies include:
| Occupation | Reported Vacancies |
| Courier | 26,275 |
| Goods handler | 20,912 |
| Unskilled construction worker in demolition and finishing work | 20,484 |
| Building construction worker | 17,799 |
| Retail worker | 16,246 |
| Car and van driver | 12,237 |
| Cook’s assistant | 12,077 |
| Road freight driver | 11,135 |
| Unskilled worker cutting and breaking construction materials | 10,878 |
| Security guard | 10,438 |
The figures show that labour demand is especially strong in sectors that rely on manual, operational and transport-related roles.
More Than 83,000 Work Permits Issued by September 2025
According to the General Inspectorate for Immigration, or IGI, Romania issued 83,914 employment and posting permits to foreign workers by September 30, 2025. A further 7,418 applications were still pending at that time.
For comparison, Romanian authorities issued 105,977 employment and posting permits during the whole of 2024. Furthermore, the residence permits issued for employment and secondment purposes were as follows:
| Permit Category | By September 30, 2025 | Full Year 2024 |
| Temporary residence permits for employment | 61,954 | 110,365 |
| Residence permits for secondment | 156 | 339 |
Romania Issued More Than 42,000 Employment Visas
Data provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs show that 42,544 employment visas had been issued to foreign nationals by September 26, 2025.
These visas were granted to workers preparing to enter Romania for employment. During the same period:
- 9,851 applications for long-stay employment or secondment visas were rejected.
- 272 visas were cancelled or revoked.
- 4,648 applications remained under review.
The figures underline the continued interest among non-EU citizens seeking employment opportunities in Romania.
Over 73,000 New Employment Contracts Signed
According to the Labour Inspectorate, 73,213 new individual employment contracts were signed by workers from countries outside the European Union between January 1 and September 25, 2025.
By comparison, 98,966 new contracts involving non-EU employees were signed during the whole of 2024.
The number of permits, visas and employment contracts demonstrates the growing importance of foreign labour in supporting Romania’s economy and addressing persistent recruitment difficulties.
How Romania Establishes Its Foreign Worker Quota
Romania determines its foreign worker quota annually, or whenever an additional quota becomes necessary.
The quota is approved through a government decision following a proposal from the Ministry of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity.
The approved limit of 90,000 new foreign workers for 2026 is expected to help Romanian employers recruit staff in industries where domestic labour remains insufficient.