EU Blue Card in Romania

WorkinRomania describes highly qualified employees as people with higher education or advanced professional skills, such as IT specialists, engineers, economists or managers. The employer must offer a highly qualified job on a full-time contract, indefinite or for at least 6 months, with a salary of at least the average gross earnings. For 2026 that figure is RON 9,192 a month from 30 March (RON 8,620 before).

The employer must also show that it tried to fill the post with a Romanian, EU, EEA or Swiss citizen or a long-term resident: the county employment agency (AJOFM) issues a certificate on the available workforce, dated no more than 90 days before the single application. Regulated professions need the authorisation document required by law.

The employer, registered on WorkinRomania, uploads the employment contract registered in REGES-ONLINE with the salary, the authorisation document if the profession is regulated, the worker’s CV with supporting evidence of higher qualifications, the AJOFM certificate, travel medical insurance with EUR 30,000 cover, a legalised criminal record certificate and a copy of the passport. Highly qualified workers do not have to show the 90-day funds required from other categories.

After the platform approves the single application, the worker registers on the e-Visa portal and appears at the Romanian mission responsible for their place of residence with the original passport and documents, paying EUR 300. The mission decides within 30 days of that appearance. In Romania, at least 30 days before the 90-day visa stay ends, the worker applies at the county IGI office or via Portal IGI for the EU Blue Card with the form, passport, proof of housing, medical certificate and fees of EUR 120 (in lei) and RON 265.

IGI decides within 30 days, extendable by 15. A foreigner who already holds an EU Blue Card from another member state and moves to Romania gets a decision within 15 days.

Highly qualified workers receive the right of residence for the term of the employment contract plus three months, up to three years, which is longer than the two-year ceiling for ordinary work permits. Renewal is requested at least 30 days before the card expires, with the same documents and fees. The right of residence can also be extended while the holder receives unemployment benefit.

Blue Card holders can bring a spouse and minor children through family reunification even if the card is valid for less than one year. For long-term residence, a Blue Card holder may count five years of continuous residence in EU, EEA states or Switzerland as a Blue Card holder, researcher, student or protection holder, provided the last two years were spent in Romania with a Blue Card and absences did not exceed 12 consecutive months or 18 months in total.