The number of work permits granted by Romania to non-European Union (EU) citizens has steadily risen in recent years, turning the country into an increasingly popular destination for economic migrants looking for job opportunities, a new report shows.
Sharp Increase in Work Permits
According to the report published by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Romania, the annual number of work permits issued to non-EU nationals tripled between 2013 and 2022.
In 2022 alone, Romania granted 31,000 permits, representing a 2,200% increase over the past decade.
The rise is partly driven by specific non-EU countries like Sri Lanka, whose citizens received 5,200 Romanian work permits in 2022 — over 50% of total EU permits.
Similarly, Romania issued 22% of all EU work permits granted to Nepalese citizens last year.
Most Migrants Don’t Stay Long-Term
However, Eurostat data indicates that most non-EU migrant workers do not remain in Romania long-term.
Despite the work permit spike, Romania’s resident foreign-born population still hovers around 115,000 — less than 1% of the total population.
So while Romania hands out a rising number of work permits, it continues to have one of the smallest non-EU populations among EU member states.
The permits allow many migrants to work in Romania for a short term before returning home.
Schengen Entry Raises Migration Policy Questions
With Romania now set to join the Schengen Area in March 2024, its rapidly rising reliance on temporary migrant labor will soon directly impact wider EU immigration policies.
As a Schengen member, will Romania’s borders remain just as open to large migrant worker flows from outside the EU? Or could the country face pressure to tighten controls?
The looming Schengen entry and existing surge in migrant work permits means Romania risks becoming a backdoor into the borderless area.
That could force a reassessment of external visa programs like the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
Romania's transformation into a migration hub will likely start shaping bloc-wide policy debates sooner than previously thought.
EU families, remote workers, and students hoping to stay long-term may also see Romanian immigration rules tightened in the coming years as the country falls further under Brussels’ purview.
Migrant Workforce on the Rise, But Settlement Remains Low
Romania is increasingly attracting migrant workers from outside the EU, with annual work permits tripling over the last decade.
Most notably, over 50% of Sri Lankan work permits issued across the EU in 2022 came from Romania.
However, government data shows that few non-EU migrants are choosing to settle down long-term once their work stints end.
Romania’s resident foreign-born population remains below 1% of the total, one of the smallest percentages among European states.
For now, Romania appears content serving as a temporary launchpad for migrant laborers seeking jobs abroad rather than a permanent landing spot.
Its work permit scheme allows the country to benefit from foreign workers filling labor gaps without leading to a seismic demographic shift.