Workforce on the Romanian Black Sea Coast
Ahead of the summer season on the Black Sea Coast, it is estimated that the labour requirements for seasonal tourism activities will be fully met this year. The migration phenomenon has matured; consequently employees from other countries, especially from Asia, have chosen to stay and work in the coastal area, where demand is highest. Compared to 2025, the demand for foreign workforce, both nationwide and specifically in Constanţa County, is decreasing significantly. Foreigners who have arrived in Romania have opted to stay permanently and continue their activities in the region. At the same time, employers have gained a better understanding of the workers’ need for social integration into society and the legal flexibility to change employers is a beneficial factor. Therefore, the number of requests is decreasing, given the current geopolitical context and the reduced activity of companies in our area, says Mircea Labes, an expert on migration and relocation of foreigners.
Ahead of the summer season on the Black Sea Coast, it is estimated that the labour requirements for seasonal tourism activities will be fully met this year. The migration phenomenon has matured; consequently employees from other countries, especially from Asia, have chosen to stay and work in the coastal area, where demand is highest. Compared to 2025, the demand for foreign workforce, both nationwide and specifically in Constanţa County, is decreasing significantly. Foreigners who have arrived in Romania have opted to stay permanently and continue their activities in the region. At the same time, employers have gained a better understanding of the workers’ need for social integration into society and the legal flexibility to change employers is a beneficial factor. Therefore, the number of requests is decreasing, given the current geopolitical context and the reduced activity of companies in our area, says Mircea Labes, an expert on migration and relocation of foreigners.
In turn, Corina Martin, a representative of the RESTO Employers’ Association – of the hospitality industry, confirms the labour situation on the coast is no longer as critical as in previous years. The resource represented by foreign workers is a viable solution that meets the needs of the hospitality industry. As regards the 2026 season, we are in a much better position regarding the necessary seaside workforce, because over the last few years we have brought in foreign labour to meet our needs, especially since many Romanians still choose to work abroad, leading us to retain our foreign employees. She has noted that foreign employees haven’t left Romania for better-paid jobs in Western Europe, for example, even though employers expected a labour drain after Romania joined Schengen. Both employers and Romanian state institutions have made it possible for foreign workers to settle in Romania. According to Corina Martin, they choose to stay and work here because while salaries are lower than in Western Europe, the cost of living is also significantly lower.
