The Romanian government just published its updated list of shortage occupations on the Work in Romania platform. There are 7 jobs on it. Seven. Last year there were over 80.
Here’s what changed, what it means for employers who can’t find workers, and what foreigners need to know about coming to work in Romania.
The 7 Shortage Occupations
| COR Code | Occupation | Sector |
|---|---|---|
| 751101 | Cook | Hospitality |
| 741301 | Electrician | Construction / Industry |
| 721201 | Machinery Mechanic | Industry |
| 832203 | Car and Van Driver | Transport |
| 722106 | Welder | Construction / Industry |
| 752201 | Carpenter | Construction |
| 711201 | Mason / Bricklayer | Construction |
The list is updated monthly by ANOFM (National Employment Agency). If your job isn’t on it, you can still hire foreign workers — it just takes longer.
What Being on the List Actually Gets You
The short version: the fastest path to hiring someone from outside the EU.
When an occupation is declared “deficitary,” the employer no longer has to prove they searched in vain for a Romanian or European worker. The labor market test is automatically waived. The permit comes faster. Less paperwork. And placement agencies can charge lower commissions.
In practical terms: if you run a construction company and need three welders — you’re not waiting 3 months. You’re waiting 2-4 weeks.
Why Only These 7?
Construction Dominates
Four of seven occupations are construction-related. Electrician, welder, carpenter, mason. Romania is building massively right now — highways, residential complexes, logistics centers — and the skilled workers simply aren’t there anymore. Young people aren’t entering the trades, older ones are retiring, and many who know their craft have left for Germany or Spain.
Transport Is Still in Crisis
Drivers remain on the list. Demand from logistics keeps growing, and many Romanian drivers have migrated west. It’s a vicious cycle.
HoReCa — Only Cooks
The hospitality industry has been complaining about staffing shortages for years. But only the cook role made the list. A qualified cook is hard to find anywhere in Europe.
Industry — Only the Machinery Mechanic
Many factories report they can’t find technical staff. The machinery mechanic is the only industrial role that shows up clearly in ANOFM’s data.
For Foreign Workers
The Work in Romania platform doesn’t accept CVs directly from workers. The process goes like this:
- Find an employer (through InterJob.ro, a placement agency, or referrals)
- The employer files the application on hub.mai.gov.ro
- Get authorization from the General Inspectorate for Immigration
- Apply for a visa at the Romanian consulate in your country
If your job is on the shortage list, everything moves faster. If it’s not — it’s not impossible, just slower.
Qualification Recognition
If you have qualifications from another country, you need to get them recognized in Romania. The Ministry of Education or an authorized body handles this. It takes 30-60 days, so start early.
What Does It Cost?
- Authorization fee: around EUR 100
- Agency commission: varies, typically 0.5-1 month’s salary
- Total: far less than leaving a position empty for 6 months
Where to Find These Workers
On specialized platforms. InterJob.ro, buildjobs.eu, factoryjobs.eu — that’s where electricians, welders, cooks, and drivers looking for work in Romania are. Or through licensed placement agencies.
Bottom Line
The list is short, but it says a lot. Romania urgently needs skilled tradespeople — and the state is willing to make it easier for them to come from abroad. If you’re an employer who can’t find people, you now have a faster tool. If you’re a specialist who wants to work in Romania, the path is shorter than it’s ever been.
Read All 8 Articles on Romania’s Shortage Occupations
- Build Jobs EU – Construction angle (electrician, welder, carpenter, mason)
- Factory Jobs EU – Industry angle (mechanic, welder, electrician)
- Electric Jobs EU – Electrician focus
- Mechanic Jobs EU – Machinery mechanic focus
- Horeca Workers EU – Cook focus
- Farm Workers EU – Agriculture angle
- Meat Workers EU – Food processing angle