Working abroad
Leaving Romania to work abroad
As a Romanian citizen you can work in Italy and other EU countries without a work permit. Here are your rights, the official channels to look for work and the Romanian rules on placement agencies.
Who this is for
Romanian citizens who want to work in Italy or another EU country, and the people helping them. It does not cover workers sent abroad temporarily by their Romanian employer (posting): for that, see the page on posted workers.
In short
- Romania has been in the EU since 2007: today Romanian citizens enjoy full free movement for work.
- In Italy you have the same work rights as Italian workers.
- Romanian agencies placing workers abroad must be registered with the Labour Inspectorate and may not charge you for mediation.
- Contributions paid in different EU countries add up for your pension under EU coordination rules.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change and have exceptions. Always check the official text in the sources below and, for your own case, talk to a trade union, a qualified lawyer or the competent public authority.
Free movement and equal treatment
Romania joined the European Union on 1 January 2007. Some States applied transitional restrictions on access to their labour markets for a few years; the maximum transitional period was seven years from accession and closed at the end of 2013: since 1 January 2014 no restrictions apply. [1] Today a Romanian citizen can look for and take up work in Italy without a visa or work permit. [2]
EU law prohibits discrimination based on nationality: you are entitled to the same working conditions, pay, dismissal rules and social and tax advantages as Italian workers. [3]
In Italy, if you stay longer than three months, you must register with the registry office (anagrafe) of the town where you live. For employees, proof of employment is normally enough. [4]
Social security: your contributions are not lost
Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 coordinates the social security systems of EU countries. As a rule you are insured in the country where you work, and insurance periods completed in several countries are added together to qualify for benefits such as a pension. [5]
Romanian rules on placement agencies for work abroad
Romanian Law No. 156/2000 on the protection of Romanian citizens working abroad provides that:
- placement agents may mediate jobs abroad only if, among other conditions, they are registered with the territorial labour inspectorate and hold firm job offers from a foreign employer; [6]
- other intermediaries may not be placed between the agent, the worker and the foreign employer, except where the law of the destination country allows it; [6]
- you must be given a written mediation contract; [6]
- mediation is free of charge: agents may not collect commissions, fees or charges from you. [6]
Note: the same law says that if, after signing the mediation contract, you do not meet your obligations, the agent may ask you to repay documented expenses, up to a ceiling set by law. Read the contract carefully before signing. [6]
The Romanian Labour Inspectorate (Inspecția Muncii) publishes the list of registered placement agents on its website. [7] The public channel is the National Employment Agency (ANOFM), which is part of the European EURES network. [8]
Consular protection
Law 156/2000 tasks the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through embassies and consulates, with working to ensure that Romanian workers abroad have their rights under the host country’s law and their contract respected. [6] In Italy, for problems with pay or contracts, you can also turn to trade unions, patronati (free advice offices) and the National Labour Inspectorate.
Checklist before you leave
- Look the agency up in the Inspecția Muncii list. If it is not there, do not use it.
- Do not pay mediation fees: by law, mediation is free.
- Ask for the written mediation contract and the job offer stating employer, place, job, hours and pay.
- Compare offers with those published on EURES and by ANOFM.
- Take a valid identity card or passport and your European Health Insurance Card.
- In Italy: get a tax code (codice fiscale) and, after three months, register with the anagrafe.