Romania is worth flagging up front: it's mid-overhaul in 2026, so the rules below include a major transition.

Romania — work permit for non-EU nationals

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens work freely without permits. All other foreign nationals need two separate documents — a work permit (work authorization) and a work visa — issued through different procedures.

2026 reform — important context
Emergency Ordinance No. 32/2026 (in force since April 27, 2026) is replacing the old system with a digital platform, expected to be fully operational around August 8, 2026. Until then, applications still run under the previous rules. Once live, the new system introduces:

• Two visa categories replacing the old structure: D/AM1 (highly qualified workers and special categories — no quota, no shortage-list restriction) and D/AM2 (general labour — subject to an annual quota and a new Shortage Occupations List).
• If a job isn't on the Shortage Occupations List, employers cannot bring in workers under D/AM2 at all.
• An annual quota of 90,000 new non-EU worker admissions for 2026 (down about 10% from 100,000 in 2025). This caps new permits only — it doesn't affect workers already in Romania.
• Residence permits will now display the employer's unique registration code (CUI), tying the permit more tightly to a specific employer.
• Bilingual employment contracts are now mandatory — Romanian plus the worker's native language or another internationally recognized language.
• Foreign worker placement agencies must now be formally authorized, can only place workers in shortage occupations, and must hold a financial guarantee (EUR 75,000 for up to 250 placements, plus EUR 50,000 per additional 250).

Main categories

1. Standard Work Permit (D/AM2 route) — for general labour, gated by the Shortage Occupations List and annual quota.
2. Highly Qualified Worker Permit (D/AM1 route) — no quota or shortage-list constraint. Requires demonstrated skills/qualifications and a salary at least double the national gross average. Valid for two years and extendable.
3. EU Blue Card — for highly skilled roles meeting Blue Card salary thresholds.
4. ICT (Intra-Corporate Transferee) permit — requires at least three years of relevant experience (three consecutive months for trainees), for transfers within the same corporate group.

Step-by-step process

1. Employer applies for Work Authorization — only the employer can request this; it's filed with the Inspectorate General for Immigration (IGI). Processing typically takes 30–45 days.
2. IGI issues the Work Authorization — valid for visa application purposes, generally for 6 months of use.
3. Apply for the D/AM visa — at the Romanian Embassy or Consulate in the worker's home country (for Tunisia, likely Tunis). This visa is entry authorization only, not a residence permit.
4. Enter Romania on the visa.
5. Apply for a residence permit at IGI within 90 days of entry — this is the document that actually establishes ongoing legal residence and work status.

Important: the system is employer-driven, not candidate-driven — a worker can't enter as a tourist and convert to employment status afterward; doing so risks refusal, fines, or removal. Changing employers generally requires restarting the whole authorization process.

Documents typically required

• Valid work authorization issued by IGI
• Signed employment contract (now bilingual, per the 2026 reform)
• Proof of accommodation in Romania
• Criminal record certificate
• Medical/health insurance
• Valid passport

Timelines

Work authorization: roughly 30–45 days. Visa processing at the consulate adds further time on top, and then up to 90 days after arrival to secure the residence permit — so total time from job offer to fully working legally can run a few months, similar to Portugal, and slower than Lithuania's process.

Practical note for a Tunisian hire

Since the Shortage Occupations List determines D/AM2 eligibility and that list was still being finalized as of mid-2026, it's worth checking WorkinRomania.gov.ro (or IGI directly) at the time of application to confirm the intended role qualifies — otherwise the D/AM1 highly-qualified route (no list dependency, but higher salary/qualification bar) may be the more reliable path.