Romania is restructuring its labour migration system for foreign workers from non-EU countries. The central element of the reform will be the WorkinRomania.gov.ro platform, through which applications, employer registration, and interaction with government authorities will be processed.

💡After the reform is launched, labour migration will be divided into two main categories:

— D/AM1 — for highly qualified specialists and certain special categories of applicants;
— D/AM2 — for general labour recruitment, including permanent, seasonal, and cross-border workers;
— the D/AM2 category will depend on the annual quota and the shortage occupation list.

The D/AM1 category is designed for specialists whom Romania wants to attract in a more targeted way. This includes qualified workers, researchers, teaching staff, professional athletes, and other special categories.

💼The D/AM2 category will operate differently. It is intended for large-scale recruitment and will be more closely tied to the actual needs of the labour market. This category will be subject to an annual quota, as well as the shortage occupation list.

How the new system may affect the market:

— highly qualified specialists will receive a clearer relocation pathway;
— general labour recruitment will depend more heavily on quotas and the shortage occupation list;
— employers will bear greater responsibility for the legality of the process;
— employment agencies will operate in a more regulated environment;
— some companies may face delays during the transition period.

🏗For the real estate market, this reform matters through employment and relocation. If the system operates smoothly, it could support demand for long-term rentals in cities with a high concentration of employers. This primarily concerns Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Brașov, Constanța, and industrial areas around major logistics corridors.

🔎You can find real estate in Romania that matches your budget, preferred city, and investment goals on our website.