Is it difficult to find a job in Romania as a foreigner?

Finding a job in Romania depends highly on your detailed skills and the industry. Sectors like IT, engineering, and healthcare often have shortages and are more open to international applicants. While English is widely spoken in business, learning the local language significantly improves your opportunities.

What is considered a good salary in Romania?

The average full-time salary in Romania is approximately RON 111,000 gross per year. An income above RON 94,000 is generally considered good, while earning above RON 200,000 places you in the top tier of earners.

How many days of holiday do you get in Romania?

In Romania, the legal minimum for paid annual leave is 20 working days minimum. In addition, there are typically around 16 public holidays per year, depending on the region and year.

What are the working hours in Romania?

Standard working hours in Romania are typically 40 hours standard, 48 hours maximum including overtime. Work-life balance is generally well-respected, with strict laws protecting employees from excessive overtime.

Complete Guide for 2026

Working in Romania

Romania is a fast-growing EU labour market with a strong technology sector, large shared-services industry, and competitive salary-to-cost ratio compared with Western Europe. Bucharest remains the main corporate and finance hub, while Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, Iasi, and Brasov are important centres for software, engineering, automotive, healthcare, and business services.

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Salary Statistics in Romania

Understanding salary ranges helps you negotiate better and set realistic expectations

Average Salary

RON 111,000

per year

Median Salary

RON 94,000

per year

Minimum Wage

RON 50,250

per year

Top 10% Earn

RON 200,000+

per year

Salary Distribution

Entry LevelAverage (RON 111,000)SeniorTop 10%

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Work Culture in Romania

Romanian work culture is relationship-oriented but increasingly international in technology, finance, and multinational service centres. English is common in professional and IT roles, while Romanian is still essential for public-sector, healthcare, education, and many local-market jobs. Teams usually work a standard Monday-Friday schedule, with formal contracts, payroll withholding, and EU-style employee protections.

Work Conditions

What to expect from employment benefits and legal requirements

Work Week

40 hours standard, 48 hours maximum including overtime

Standard working hours

Annual Leave

20 working days minimum

Paid vacation days

Public Holidays

16 days

National holidays per year

Sick Leave

Medical leave commonly paid at 75-100% depending on diagnosis, usually up to 183 days/year

Paid sick leave coverage

Maternity Leave

126 calendar days maternity leave

Paid leave for mothers

Paternity Leave

10 working days, plus 5 with childcare course

Paid leave for fathers

Work Conditions Overview

Work Week: 40 hours

Annual Leave: 20 days

Public Holidays: 16 days

Maternity Leave: 0 weeks

Paternity Leave: 0 weeks

Pros & Cons for Expats

What international workers should consider before relocating

Advantages

Strong Tech Hubs

Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, and Iasi have deep software, outsourcing, and engineering labour markets.

EU Labour Market Access

EU and EEA citizens can work without a work permit, and non-EU employees use established work authorisation routes.

Lower Cost Base

Housing and services are generally cheaper than in Western European capitals, especially outside Bucharest and Cluj.

Flat Income Tax

A 10% salary income tax makes the tax structure easier to understand than many progressive systems.

Growing International Employers

Multinationals in IT, finance, automotive, telecom, and shared services continue to hire English-speaking professionals.

Challenges

High Employee Contributions

CAS and CASS together take 35% of gross salary before income tax is applied.

Regional Salary Gaps

Bucharest and Cluj pay much more than many counties, so national averages can overstate typical local pay.

Bureaucracy

Immigration, residence, public services, and paperwork can still require patience and local-language support.

Infrastructure Differences

Transport, healthcare access, and public services vary significantly by city and region.

Inflation Pressure

Recent wage growth has often lagged inflation, reducing real purchasing power for many workers.

Tax System Highlights

Key things to know about taxation in Romania

Flat 10% personal income tax on taxable salary income
Employee CAS pension contribution is 25% of gross salary
Employee CASS health contribution is 10% of gross salary
Employer CAM work insurance contribution is 2.25% on top of gross pay
Personal deduction applies only at the main job and phases out above minimum wage plus RON 2,000/month
2026 minimum wage relief excludes RON 300/month in Jan-Jun and RON 200/month in Jul-Dec when conditions are met