Foreign workers for construction
Construction companies constantly need complete site teams: from unskilled workers and steel fixers to bricklayers, carpenters, plumbers and electricians. The core construction trades are included in the Lista ocupațiilor deficitare (List of shortage occupations) approved by MMFTSS Order no. 1.073/2026, which allows the hiring of workers from Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, the Philippines, Vietnam and many other countries in Asia, Africa and other regions with a D/AM2 visa. We recruit for residential works as well as for infrastructure and industrial construction.
Eligible occupations (with COR code)
From the What does it mean?Lista ocupațiilor deficitare (List of shortage occupations), the official list of trades (with COR code) for which workers from outside the EU can be brought in on a D/AM2 visa; approved by order of the Minister of Labour (289 occupations in Order 1,073/2026). Read the guide → approved by MMFTSS Order 1.073/2026. The employment contract must use the exact Romanian occupation name and COR code.
| Occupation | COR code |
|---|---|
| zidar roșar-tencuitor (bricklayer-plasterer) | 711205 |
| zidar pietrar (stonemason) | 711203 |
| fierar betonist (steel fixer / rebar worker) | 711402 |
| betonist (concrete worker) | 711401 |
| constructor structuri monolite (monolithic structures builder) | 711404 |
| dulgher (exclusiv restaurator) (carpenter, excluding restorer) | 711501 |
| schelar (scaffolder) | 721432 |
| zugrav (painter) | 713102 |
| faianțar (tiler) | 712201 |
| parchetar (parquet floor layer) | 712204 |
| ipsosar (exclusiv restaurator) (plasterer, excluding restorer) | 712301 |
| montator pereți și plafoane din ghips-carton (drywall installer) | 712406 |
| montator sisteme opace de termoizolare pentru clădiri (building thermal insulation systems installer) | 712416 |
| izolator termic (thermal insulation worker) | 712405 |
| izolator hidrofug (waterproofing worker) | 712403 |
| instalator apă, canal (water and sewage plumber) | 712602 |
| instalator instalații tehnico-sanitare și de gaze (plumbing and gas installer) | 712609 |
| electrician în construcții (construction electrician) | 741101 |
| asfaltator (asphalt worker) | 711904 |
| muncitor necalificat la demolarea clădirilor, căptușeli zidărie, plăci mozaic, faianță, gresie, parchet (unskilled worker in demolition, masonry linings, tiling and flooring) | 931301 |
What employers in construction usually ask for
- Teams of 5–30 workers per site, with a ratio of roughly 1 skilled to 2–3 unskilled workers.
- 8-hour working day, frequently with paid overtime in peak periods (spring–autumn).
- Indefinite or fixed-term contracts, with the team moving from one site to another.
- Accommodation provided by the employer near the site or in containers/rented housing, with daily transport.
- Workers prepared for work at height, outdoors and in varied weather conditions.
Specific employer obligations
- For skilled trades (bricklayer, carpenter, plumber, electrician): CV, proof of experience and, where applicable, recognition of studies/ANC certificate; we check skills in practice before selection.
- Occupational health and safety (SSM) training on hiring and at the workplace in a language the worker understands, with personal protective equipment (helmet, boots, vest, gloves) provided by the employer.
- Work at height (scaffolding, roofs) is done only with specific training, fall protection equipment and the appropriate medical clearance.
- For electricians and gas installers: the authorisations required by law for the respective works are checked before assignment; unauthorised work is not allowed.
- Medical check on hiring (occupational medicine) and verification of fitness for physical effort.
- Accommodation compliant with hygiene standards; if against payment, the rent does not exceed 25% of the net salary.
Which countries we recruit from for construction
The main markets below and many other countries in Asia, Africa and other regions, depending on your request. All countries →
Can't find the country you're looking for?
Can't find the country you are looking for? Tell us the country, the number of workers and the trades you need, and our team will assess whether the recruitment process can be organised, depending on your request and the legal possibilities.
Frequently asked questions, Construction
We select candidates with previous site experience (in the country of origin or in the Gulf), and for skilled trades we organise practical testing before selection. We send you CVs, photographs/recordings from the test and, on request, you can attend the interview online. The level of skill varies from person to person; we do not promise a uniform level.
For occupations that require vocational training, the worker must meet the training and experience requirements set by law; the CV and, where applicable, the documents recognising studies issued by the Ministry of Education and Research or the recognition certificate issued by the National Qualifications Authority (ANC) are uploaded with the single application. For trades without a regulated profession, we check skills through practical testing in the country of origin.
At least the national gross minimum base salary guaranteed in payment: 4,325 lei gross from 1 July 2026 (GD 146/2026), for a full-time contract. The salary must be paid into the worker's bank account, not in cash. Allowances, overtime and any bonuses apply in the same way as for Romanian employees.
For permanent workers it is not mandatory, but in practice most employers provide it, because the workers arrive without housing and without local knowledge. If you provide accommodation against payment, the rent cannot exceed 25% of the worker's net salary (art. 7 para. (2) of GEO 32/2026). For seasonal workers accommodation is mandatory (free of charge or against payment, with a notarised declaration regarding accommodation).
Occupational health and safety (SSM) training must be done in a language the worker understands, and protective equipment is provided by the employer. In practice, materials in English (or in the language of origin) and translated training sheets are used. Training records are kept in the same way as for any employee.
Not in the first 6 months from the start of the activity (registered in REGES-ONLINE). After 6 months and up to 2 years, a change of employer can only be made through the placement agency that is a party to the placement contract. Exception: serious breach of obligations by the employer (art. 40 of GEO 32/2026).
Update of 17 September 2026
Following the decision of the Bucharest Court of Appeal admitting the application, filed by the Employers' Association of Labour Importers (Patronatul Importatorilor de Forță de Muncă) in case no. 5633/2/2026, to suspend the enforcement of Order no. 1073/2026 of the Minister of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity approving the List of shortage occupations provided for in art. 1 para. (2) of Government Emergency Ordinance no. 32/2026 on the access of foreign nationals to the labour market in Romania, and amending and supplementing certain legal acts (Order no. 1073/2026), the WorkinRomania platform flows for employer registration, employer authorisation and filing the single application for D/AM2 long-stay visas are deactivated.
This information explains the law in plain language and is indicative only. Your specific situation must be checked against the legislation in force on the filing date.
Official sources: Ordinul MMFTSS nr. 1.073/2026 pentru aprobarea Listei ocupațiilor deficitare (289 ocupații) · OUG nr. 32/2026 privind accesul străinilor pe piața muncii din România, precum și pentru modificarea și completarea unor acte normative · OUG nr. 194/2002 privind regimul străinilor în România (forma consolidată)
Do you need people in construction?
Tell us how many and for which positions. We check the occupations against the list and send you the offer on the same working day.