RomaniaWork residence permit

Work and residence authorisation in Romania

Two labour migration programmes for Romania. The Single Permit is for ordinary workers with an employment contract and an employer in Romania. The EU Blue Card is for highly qualified specialists with higher education and a higher salary. Both include the right to reside for the term of the contract. After five years of continuous residence you may obtain permanent residence.

Visa term

The employment residence permit is usually 1 year; the Blue Card 2-4 years

Processing time

Authorisation — weeks to a month; D-visa about 1 month; residence permit about 1 month

Work

Yes, for a specific employer

Residence

Actual residence, with an address

Source: igi.mai.gov.ro — single permit and the EU Blue Card

Two routes by level of qualification

Romania offers two main ways of obtaining the right to work and reside: through the regular work authorisation for qualified specialists (D/AM1) or through the EU Blue Card for high-level specialists with higher education.

D/AM1 — qualified specialist

Employment contract with a Romanian employer for at least one year
Market-level salary (no lower than the Romanian minimum rate, usually around average earnings)
The employer files for the authorisation through the WorkinRomania.gov.ro platform (introduced in August 2026)
IGI decision within 30 days (extendable by 15 days for checks)
You receive the D/AM1 visa at the embassy (about 10 days)
Residence authorisation for the term of the contract plus 3 months, up to a maximum of 1 year; renewed annually

EU Blue Card — high qualification

Higher education (a university course of 3+ years) or professional experience in IT and specific fields
Employment contract with a salary no lower than the set threshold (roughly twice the national average wage)
The employer files a Blue Card application with the IGI (no quota or shortage occupation list applies)
IGI decision within 30 days
You receive the Blue Card at the Romanian embassy
The authorisation is valid for 2 years; changing employer is easier; it is renewed on the basis of a new contract

When the programme will not work

You do not have an employment contract with a Romanian employer

Look at other types of visa: tourist (Schengen), student, family reunification, digital/remote work (where available in other EU countries)

You work entirely remotely for a foreign company with no contract in Romania

Consider a digital visa in another EU country or a business visa; without a contract with a Romanian employer a work visa is not issued

Your salary is below the market minimum or is not stated in the contract

Agree a salary that meets the requirements; otherwise the authorisation will not be granted

You have criminal convictions or problems with your current visa

Consult an immigration lawyer before filing; some obstacles can be overcome, others cannot

What it costs

D/AM1 work authorisation (basic)Paid by the employer when filing the application with the IGI through WorkinRomania.gov.ro	100 EUR
D/AM visa (employment) at the embassyYou pay this at the Romanian embassy when applying for the long-stay visa	120 EUR
EU Blue Card (initial issue)Instead of the ordinary authorisation; paid once when the Blue Card is issued at the embassy	173 EUR
Renewal of the EU Blue CardAfter 2 years, when the authorisation is renewed	173 EUR
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	566 EUR

Paid separately

Embassy consular fee (varies by country) — Roughly EUR 60-120 in addition, depending on the country of residence
Medical examination — EUR 50-200 at a public clinic or a private medical provider
Translation of documents into Romanian — EUR 50-500 depending on the volume of documents and the service
Health insurance — EUR 50-300 a year depending on the type of policy

Documents to gather

The core set of documents. Check the full list with the embassy in your country and on the IGI website — requirements may vary slightly.

Valid passport (original plus notarised copy)
Employment contract or job offer letter for at least one year (original plus translation into Romanian)
Criminal-record certificate from the country of origin (apostilled)
Criminal-record certificate from Romania (requested during the procedure)
Medical certificate of fitness to work (from a licensed clinic)
Proof of accommodation (rental agreement, title deed, employer's letter or private accommodation)
Proof of health insurance in Romania (a policy or a letter from the company)
Education diploma with a notarised translation into Romanian (for the Blue Card)
CV and documents on professional experience, translated into Romanian (for the Blue Card)
Bank statement (for the Blue Card, as proof of financial stability)
Application on the IGI standard form (completed by the employer through the platform)
Copies of the employer's documents (certificate of registration, tax documents) — filed by the employer

How the process runs

The full process usually takes 2-4 months. Timelines depend on how quickly the embassy in your country and the IGI work, and on your own promptness.

1
Finding an employer and agreeing the employment contract
1-8 weeks
Find an employer in Romania and agree the terms of employment, including salary. For D/AM1 the salary must be at market level; for the Blue Card it must not be below the set threshold (roughly twice the average wage). Sign a contract for at least one year.
2
The employer files the application with the IGI through WorkinRomania
30-45 days
Your future employer assembles the set of documents and files it through the WorkinRomania.gov.ro digital platform (or directly with the IGI if the platform is unavailable). The IGI verifies the information and decides within 30 days; if additional checks are required, this may be extended by 15 days. This is the critical stage.
3
The IGI issues a positive decision on the authorisation
automatic
The IGI issues the official order granting the work authorisation (D/AM1) or the Blue Card. You and the employer receive a confirmation letter. This means that, at the immigration control level, you are approved to work in Romania.
4
Apply for the D/AM visa at the embassy (or collect the Blue Card)
within 60 days of the IGI decision
Within 60 days of the positive IGI decision, submit the full set of documents to the Romanian embassy (consulate) in your country. Include the IGI letter, passport, employment contract, criminal-record certificate, medical certificate and documents on accommodation and insurance. For the Blue Card some steps may be expedited.
5
Receive the visa or Blue Card at the embassy
10 days on average (may take longer)
The embassy processes your application. The visa is usually issued within 10 working days, though some embassies work more slowly. Once approved, the visa is placed in your passport, or the Blue Card is issued.
6
Arrive in Romania and register with the municipality
within 3 days of arrival
Arrive in Romania with the visa or Blue Card. Register with the local municipal authority (primăria) for your place of residence within 3 days of arrival. Obtain the registration certificate.
7
Apply to the IGI for the temporary residence permit
within 90 days of arrival
Within 90 days of arrival, file an application with the local IGI office for a temporary residence permit (residence permit for employment). Bring your passport, visa, municipal registration certificate and documents on accommodation and health insurance. The IGI issues the temporary permit.
8
Receive the temporary residence permit (and start work)
valid for 1 year (D/AM1) or 2 years (Blue Card)
The IGI issues a plastic card or paper permit confirming your status as a temporary resident. You may start work. The permit is valid for as long as your employment contract plus 3 months, but no more than 1 year for D/AM1 and no more than 2 years for the Blue Card. On the Blue Card you can change employer more easily.

Who you can bring with you

Family members may come with you if you hold a residence permit valid for a year or more, an EU Blue Card or a long-term permit. The family needs a separate reunification visa (D/VF).

Spouse

May come on a family visa (D/VF) with you or later. A marriage certificate (translated and apostilled) is required. The spouse receives a residence permit. If they wish to work, they must obtain a separate work authorisation.

Children under 18

May come with a parent on a family visa or on a separate D/VF visa. Birth certificates (translated and apostilled) are required. Children must register and obtain a residence permit. They may attend Romanian schools.

Adult children over 18

May claim a family visa and residence permit only if they prove full financial dependency (for example on medical grounds). A doctor's certificate and proof of your financial support are required.

Parents (of any age)

May come on a family visa provided you support them financially. Evidence is required: bank statements, a maintenance agreement, income. Parents receive a residence permit.

Renewal and the grace period

The D/AM1 authorisation is renewed for one year provided you still hold a valid employment contract with the same or a new employer. The EU Blue Card is renewed for 2 years on the basis of a new contract. The renewal application must be filed with the IGI no later than 30 days before the permit expires. After 5 years of continuous lawful residence in Romania you may apply for a long-term residence permit, which is valid for 5-10 years and does not require annual renewal. For the long-term permit you must prove accommodation and income at the level of the local minimum.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

	Work and residence authorisation	Digital nomad	Business residence permit
Visa term	The employment residence permit is usually 1 year; the Blue Card 2-4 years	D-visa for up to 90 days; the first residence permit for 6 months, then 1 year at a time	Usually 1 year, renewable while the company is trading
Grounds	Employment	Remote income	Investment / jobs
Money	Salary no lower than the threshold for the occupation (Blue Card about 1.5-2 average wages)	Income of at least three times the Romanian average gross wage over 6 months (about EUR 3,700-4,200 a month)	Minimum capital/investment, funds for living costs; for investors, hundreds of thousands of euros
Work	Yes, for a specific employer	Only for a foreign employer or one's own business abroad	Yes, managing your own company; employment requires a different basis
Residence	Actual residence, with an address	Actual residence for most of the year (183+ days)	Actual residence, with an address in the country

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

After 5 years of residence permits

Route to citizenship

After permanent residence (about 8 years)

Frequently asked questions about Work and residence authorisation

What is the main difference between D/AM1 and the EU Blue Card?

D/AM1 (the Single Permit) is for qualified specialists in any field, without strict education requirements, with a market-level salary, and the authorisation is tied to a specific employer. The EU Blue Card is for highly educated specialists (a university course of 3+ years) or experienced IT professionals, with a higher salary; it is valid for 2 years instead of 1, gives more rights (you can change employer after a year) and carries higher standing across Europe.

How long does the whole authorisation process take?

Usually 2-4 months. Authorisation from the IGI: 30-45 days. The D/AM visa at the embassy: 10 days on average (it may take longer). Municipal registration and the residence permit after arrival: up to 90 days. Since August 2026 the WorkinRomania.gov.ro platform has allowed documents to be filed electronically, which speeds the process up. The overall timeline depends on how quickly the embassy in your country works.

I work remotely for a foreign company. Can I obtain a work authorisation for Romania?

No — the standard D/AM1 and Blue Card require an employment contract with a Romanian employer based in Romania. If you work entirely remotely for a foreign company with no contract in Romania, a work visa is not suitable. Consider a remote work (digital) visa in another EU country, or a self-employment visa if you set up a business in Romania.

Is health insurance in Romania compulsory?

Yes. When applying for the D/AM visa or the residence permit you must present proof of active health insurance in Romania. This may be a policy from the employer (often the employer buys it) or private insurance. The cost is roughly EUR 50-300 a year depending on the type and your age. Insurance can be arranged at a private clinic or through a company.

Can I obtain permanent residence in Romania?

Yes. After 5 years of continuous lawful residence in Romania on a work authorisation you may apply for a long-term residence permit. It is valid for 5-10 years and does not require annual renewal. After that, following 8 years of continuous residence, you may apply for Romanian citizenship (knowledge of Romanian at level B1 and tests on history and the constitution are required).

I want to change employer. What do I need to do?

On D/AM1 you are tied to the employer named in the authorisation. If you want to work for another one, you need a new work authorisation (a further 30-45 days) and a new visa application at the embassy. The EU Blue Card is more flexible: after the first year you may change employer, but the new employer must notify the IGI. The Blue Card offers greater mobility, which may matter for your career.

Other ways to move to Romania

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Romania.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 8 August 2026.