In recent years, Romania’s labor market has undergone an accelerated transformation, amid an increasingly acute shortage of personnel. The massive migration of Romanians to Western European countries has created significant gaps, estimated at around 600,000 people, which forced employers to seek external solutions. In this context, the import of labor from outside the European Union has become not just an alternative, but a necessity for numerous industries.

According to official data from the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI), at the end of 2024 there were more than 140,640 non-EU foreign employees legally working in Romania. From the beginning of that year until December, IGI issued over 42,500 work permits and another 6,764 for changing employers. However, this figure only partially covers the real needs, representatives of the Employers’ Association of Labor Importers (PIFM) warn. At the same time, the annual quota of newly admitted workers to the labor market remained capped at 100,000, for the second consecutive year.

The most recent data available: doubling the number of foreign workers

The latest information, published on January 30, 2025, clearly illustrates the scale of the phenomenon. According to an analysis by Economica.net based on IGI data, at the end of last year Romania had 100,298 foreigners with valid work permits. This represents an increase of nearly 94% compared to 2022 and more than 35% compared to 2023.

The increase reflects employers’ growing appetite for recruiting from South Asia and the Middle East. Most workers come from Nepal and Sri Lanka, but also from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, Ethiopia, and the Philippines. The majority are employed in low-skilled jobs: freight handlers (9,114 people) and couriers (8,821 people), along with workers in construction, HoReCa, or retail.

Bucharest, the epicenter of foreign labor

The capital and its surrounding areas are the main destinations for foreign citizens. At the end of 2024, around 25,500 foreign employees were registered in Bucharest, and another 12,183 in Ilfov. Together, the two counties account for almost 38,000 employment contracts, representing more than a third of the national total. In addition, other strong economic centers such as Constanța (5,692 people) and Timiș (4,963) have also become important hubs of attraction.

An analysis published by Ziarul Financiar as early as 2023 confirmed this trend: nearly 56,000 non-EU workers were already working in the Bucharest–Ilfov area, over 44% of the national total. Beyond the numbers, the geographical distribution shows that major cities remain the preferred destination, where infrastructure, higher wages, and more integration opportunities exist.

How foreign workers perceive Romania

Employers’ fear that Romania’s entry into the Schengen land area (January 1, 2024) might lead workers to leave for other states has not materialized. On the contrary, data from the International Organization for Migration shows that nearly 49% of foreigners surveyed intend to stay long term, and 70% wish to obtain Romanian citizenship in the future.

Another study shows that 82% of foreign citizens working in Romania say they feel welcomed, respected, and integrated. Moreover, 40% of them say they would like to start a business here, while others want to continue their studies, pursue internships, or even volunteer.

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Integration, a priority for the economy

According to specialists, a well-integrated foreign worker can bring an additional 30–60% productivity for the employer and community. Integration programs, estimated at up to €5,000 per year, can be partially funded by European funds and supplemented through contributions from local authorities. At the same time, experts stress that cultural and linguistic integration is just as important as professional integration, in order for workers to remain in the long run.

Romanians, between unemployment and inactivity

Paradoxically, while employers are bringing in thousands of foreigners, Romania still has 259,000 unemployed people (May 2025) and nearly 249,000 others who receive social benefits but do not work. Moreover, the country has the highest youth unemployment rate under 25 in the EU: 26.3% at the end of 2024, according to Eurostat. These figures highlight how difficult it is for companies to recruit local staff and explain why importing labor remains an unavoidable solution.