Shortage occupations in Romania
Cojocariu Eugen, 07.08.2026, 17:09
The Ministry of Labour has drafted the List of Shortage Occupations, which includes 289 jobs eligible for non-EU foreign worker recruitment by Romanian companies, as reported by Hotnews, stiripesurse.ro and Economica. Notably, the Romanian state has established a quota of 90,000 new foreign workers for 2026.
Hiring procedures for non-EU citizens on Romanian territory can only be initiated if the specific requested job is included in the List of Shortage Occupations. The list is compiled and updated every six months or whenever necessary, based on an official methodology, approved by the Minister of Labour. It factors in national and county labour needs identified by the National Employment Agency, data from the Labour Inspectorate, the General Inspectorate for Immigration, as well as consultations with employers and trade unions in Romania.
The list comprises, among others, couriers, construction personnel, hospitality staff, drivers, welders, bricklayers, painters and other skilled and unskilled labour, required by companies across various sectors of the Romanian economy.
According to Elena Panțîru, co-founder of the Employers’ Association of Labour Importers in Romania, the reason Romanian candidates turn down positions extends far beyond salary levels. She points out that many Romanians aspire to substantial incomes and Western-standard working conditions, even without the necessary experience or qualifications. At the same time, those who are qualified often prefer freelancing or opening small businesses over traditional employment, based on a contract. Panţiru added that the state labour database rarely yields candidates who are genuinely interested in working. Specialists also note that certain jobs are bypassed due to their physically demanding nature, lack of career progression, and demanding schedules.
Lacking options on the domestic market, Romanian companies have turned heavily to Asian markets. At the end of 2025, over 148,000 non-EU citizens were working in Romania under work-related residence permits. This figure represents an increase of roughly 48% compared to 2024 and has nearly doubled since 2023. Foreign workers fill exactly the positions turned down by Romanians: couriers, handlers, construction workers, kitchens staff, and cleaners. Most of them come from Nepal, which remains the primary source for labour on the Romanian market.
The publication of this 289-profession list coincides with the entry into force of Government Emergency Ordinance no. 32/2026, which imposes stricter compliance demands on recruitment companies. Through this mechanism, the Government aims to curb system abuses and guarantee that foreign labour recruitment is strictly confined to sectors really facing shortages.
