Standard Application
Romanian employment-residence applications are generally processed within 30 Days.
Where additional checks are necessary, the processing period can be extended by up to 15 Additional Days.
🇷🇴 Romania
Romania EU Blue Card
Live & Work in Romania as a Highly Qualified Professional
← Back to Romania
Romania offers the EU Blue Card to eligible highly qualified third-country nationals who want to live and work in Romania in a highly qualified position.
The EU Blue Card combines residence and employment authorization and can provide additional advantages for highly skilled professionals, including greater mobility opportunities within the European Union under applicable EU rules.
CETO Global Immigration Consulting & Partners assists highly qualified professionals and Romanian employers in assessing eligibility and coordinates the immigration process together with qualified legal and immigration professionals.
What Is the EU Blue Card?
The EU Blue Card is a residence and work permit for qualifying highly qualified third-country nationals. It certifies the holder's right to:
- Reside in Romania
- Work in a Highly Qualified Position
- Build a Long-Term Professional Career
- Access Certain EU Mobility Rights
- Potentially Reunite with Eligible Family Members
The card is issued by the Romanian General Inspectorate for Immigration.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants generally need to satisfy requirements relating to:
- Highly Qualified Employment
- Professional Qualifications
- Employment Contract
- Salary
- Professional Authorization where applicable
- Valid Immigration Status
- Other Applicable Romanian Residence Requirements
Employment Contract
Under the current Romanian highly qualified employment rules, the applicant must generally have a Full-Time Employment Contract that is:
- For an Indefinite Period, or
- For a Fixed Period of at least 6 Months
The employment must be for a highly qualified position.
Higher Professional Qualifications
Applicants must demonstrate the professional qualifications required for the highly qualified position. Depending on the profession, evidence can include:
- University Degree
- Higher-Education Diploma
- Professional Qualifications
- Relevant Professional Experience
- Specialist Training
- Professional Authorization for Regulated Professions
For regulated professions, the applicant must satisfy the applicable Romanian professional recognition or authorization requirements.
Salary Requirement
The employment contract must provide remuneration that meets the Romanian threshold applicable to highly qualified workers. Under the current IGI procedure, the salary must generally be at least the Romanian Average Gross Salary.
The exact monetary amount can change when Romania updates its official average gross salary. Eligibility should therefore always be checked using the threshold applicable at the time of application.
The Romanian Average Gross Salary
Employer Application
The Romanian employer plays a central role in the process. The employer must generally ensure that:
- The employee will work in a highly qualified position
- The employment contract satisfies the applicable duration requirement
- The salary satisfies the required threshold
- The employee has the necessary professional qualifications
- Any regulated-profession requirements are fulfilled
- The required employment and immigration documentation is submitted
Application Steps
- 01
Step 1 – Highly Qualified Employment Procedure
The Romanian employer completes the applicable employment immigration procedure for the highly qualified worker. The current IGI electronic procedure requires documents including a Full-Time Employment Contract, Salary Information, Professional Authorization where applicable, the applicant's Curriculum Vitae, Qualification Evidence and other required employment documentation.
- 02
Step 2 – Long-Stay Visa
Where a long-stay employment visa is required, the applicant proceeds with the appropriate Romanian employment visa procedure before entering Romania. The applicable visa and supporting documentation depend on the applicant's individual circumstances.
- 03
Step 3 – Entry into Romania
Following approval of the applicable visa, the highly qualified worker can enter Romania in accordance with Romanian immigration rules.
- 04
Step 4 – EU Blue Card
After entering Romania, the applicant must obtain the EU Blue Card from the competent territorial unit of the Romanian General Inspectorate for Immigration. The application should generally be submitted at least 30 Days Before the expiry of the residence right granted through the visa.
Required Documents for the EU Blue Card
For the first residence extension and issuance of the EU Blue Card, applicants generally need documents including:
- Application
- Valid Passport / Travel Document
- Proof of Legal Accommodation
- Medical Certificate
- Applicable Fees
- Employment Documentation
- Other Supporting Documents Required by IGI
Applications can also be initiated through the IGI online portal.
Validity
Under the current Romanian rules, highly qualified workers can receive temporary residence for employment for the Duration of the Employment Contract plus 3 Months, subject to a maximum period of 3 Years.
This provides highly qualified workers with a longer potential residence period than standard employment permits.
Duration of Contract + 3 Months, Up to 3 Years
Renewal
The EU Blue Card should be renewed before it expires. Applications for continued residence are submitted to the Romanian General Inspectorate for Immigration.
The employee must continue to satisfy the applicable employment, qualification, salary and residence requirements.
Processing Time
EU Blue Card Mobility Application
For certain EU Blue Card holders moving to Romania from another EU Member State, the residence application can be processed within 15 Days.
EU Blue Card Mobility – Moving to Romania from Another EU Member State
The EU Blue Card system provides specific mobility advantages for qualifying holders.
A person who already holds an EU Blue Card issued by another EU Member State may, subject to the applicable requirements, apply for Romanian residence as a highly qualified worker.
Romania provides a faster procedure for certain Blue Card mobility applications.
Family Relocation
EU Blue Card holders can request family reunification in Romania. The Romanian IGI specifically recognises EU Blue Card holders as eligible sponsors for family reunification. Depending on the circumstances, qualifying family members can include:
- Spouse
- Minor Unmarried Children
- Adopted Children
- Certain Dependent Parents
- Certain Dependent Adult Children for Medical Reasons
Family Reunification Advantage
EU Blue Card holders can request family reunification even where the Blue Card itself is valid for less than one year.
This is a specific advantage compared with certain other residence categories.
Long-Term Residence
EU Blue Card residence can also form part of a longer-term residence strategy.
Romanian long-term residence generally requires a qualifying period of lawful and continuous residence.
For EU Blue Card holders and their family members, certain residence periods accumulated in different EU Member States may be relevant under applicable rules.
Unemployment
Loss of employment does not automatically result in immediate loss of the EU Blue Card.
However, prolonged or repeated unemployment can affect the validity of the residence status.
The IGI notes that unemployment can become a ground for revocation where it exceeds the applicable permitted period.
Who May Benefit from the EU Blue Card?
The Romanian EU Blue Card can be particularly relevant for:
- IT Professionals
- Engineers
- Senior Managers
- Finance Professionals
- Scientists
- Researchers
- Technology Specialists
- Medical Professionals
- Senior Consultants
- Technical Experts
- Other Highly Qualified Professionals
EU Blue Card vs. Standard Work Permit
Standard Employment Permit
Designed for a broad range of foreign workers and occupations.
EU Blue Card
Designed specifically for Highly Qualified Professionals in Higher-Level Positions, with Higher Qualification Requirements, Higher Salary Requirements, Greater EU Mobility Potential, and Longer Potential Residence Validity.
Our Process
- 01
Professional Assessment
We review your qualifications, professional background and proposed Romanian employment.
- 02
Employment Assessment
The job position, employment contract and salary are reviewed against Romania's highly qualified employment requirements.
- 03
Employer Coordination
The Romanian employer prepares the required employment and immigration documentation.
- 04
Visa Procedure
Where required, the appropriate long-stay employment visa procedure is coordinated.
- 05
Entry Into Romania
Following the applicable visa approval, the applicant enters Romania.
- 06
EU Blue Card Application
The residence application is submitted to the Romanian General Inspectorate for Immigration.
- 07
Residence & Ongoing Support
Following approval, we assist with residence renewals, family relocation and longer-term immigration options where required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a job offer?
Yes. You generally need qualifying highly qualified employment in Romania.
How long must the employment contract be?
Under the current IGI procedure, the contract must generally be indefinite or for at least 6 Months.
Is there a minimum salary?
Yes. The current Romanian highly qualified worker procedure requires remuneration at least at the level of the applicable Romanian average gross salary.
Do I need professional qualifications?
Yes. Applicants must demonstrate the professional qualifications required for the highly qualified position.
How long can the EU Blue Card be valid?
Under current Romanian residence rules for highly qualified workers, the temporary residence right can generally be extended for the duration of the employment contract plus three months, up to a maximum of 3 Years.
Can my family join me?
Yes, potentially. EU Blue Card holders are specifically included among the categories that can request family reunification.
Can I move to Romania with an EU Blue Card from another EU country?
Potentially yes. Romania provides specific procedures for EU Blue Card holders who obtained their card in another EU Member State.
Can the EU Blue Card lead to long-term residence?
Potentially yes. Qualifying Blue Card residence can contribute toward a longer-term residence strategy under Romanian and EU rules.
Build Your Highly Qualified Career in Romania
Take Your Career to the European Union
If you are a highly qualified professional with a qualifying employment opportunity in Romania, the EU Blue Card may provide a strong residence and employment pathway.
CETO can help assess your qualifications, employment conditions and immigration options and coordinate the process together with qualified professional partners.