Can I take on a foreign worker who is already working for another company in Romania?

Yes, if at least 6 months have passed since they started work with their current employer (the date in REGES-ONLINE) or if there is a serious breach by the old employer. For up to 2 years from the start of work, the change is made only through the placement agency that is a party to their placement contract. The new employer must be registered on the platform.

Is a new visa needed?

No. The change of employer is made through a single application for extension of the right of residence, filed on the platform by the agency or by the new employer, without a new visa. After approval, the worker books an appointment at IGI within 10 days for biometric data capture and the issue of the new single permit.

How long can the worker stay without a job?

If the contract ends, the right of residence is maintained for at most 90 days from the registration of the termination (or for as long as the worker receives unemployment benefit). Within this period the agency must present them with at least two job offers from the shortage list.

What happens if the worker leaves before 6 months?

They cannot lawfully initiate a change of employer, except in the case of a serious breach by the employer. If they leave anyway, the employer may recover from them the amounts invested in Romanian courses, accommodation and transport (art. 40 para. (9) GEO 32/2026).

Can workers who came with a work authorisation (old law) change employer?

Yes. From 8 August 2026, foreign nationals with a right of residence obtained under the old legislation change employer under the conditions of art. 56 para. (9)–(12) GEO 194/2002 (art. 51 GEO 32/2026). Within one year, the new employer may file single applications directly for a number of foreign nationals at most equal to its average headcount in the previous year.

Can they work for two companies?

A foreign national with a full-time contract may work for another employer only under a part-time contract of a maximum of 4 hours per day, and for the D/AM2 categories only in shortage occupations (art. 132^1 para. (3)–(4) GEO 194/2002).

Changing employer

Who can change employer, when and how

The rules of (art. 40) and GEO 194/2002 (art. 56), explained for the worker, for the new employer and for the old employer.

The first 6 months

The worker cannot initiate a change of employer for 6 months from the start of work (the date in ). Exception: a serious breach of the contract by the employer.

art. 40 para. (2)–(3) GEO 32/2026; art. 56 para. (13)–(14) GEO 194/2002

Between 6 months and 2 years

They may change employer (including by resigning after 6 months), but only through the placement agency that is a party to the placement contract. The new employer must be registered on the platform, and the occupation must be on the shortage list.

art. 40 para. (4) GEO 32/2026

After 2 years

The change is made under the general conditions of GEO 194/2002 (art. 56 para. (9)–(12)): a single application for extension, without a new visa, on the valid single permit (permisul unic).

art. 40 para. (5) GEO 32/2026

Who does what

THE WORKER DOESChecks whether 6 months have passed; resigns lawfully (or documents the serious breach); keeps the permit valid; books an appointment at IGI within 10 days after the extension application is approved.

THE EMPLOYER DOESThe old employer: registers the termination in REGES and notifies IGI and the agency within 5 working days. The new employer: is registered on the platform, declares the vacancy to ANOFM (National Employment Agency), signs the bilingual employment contract (occupation on the shortage list, salary ≥ minimum).

CADIMA DOESWe check the deadlines (6 months / 2 years) and the new employer's eligibility; within the 90-day period we present the worker with at least two offers; we file the single application for extension on the platform; we accompany the worker to IGI.

THE AUTHORITY DOES checks the single application for extension and issues the new single permit (with the new employer's CUI entered). The platform automatically unlocks the change-of-employer functions depending on the penalties applied (art. 16 GD 602/2026).

What happens to the right of residence

As long as the is valid, the is maintained; the change of employer is made through a single application for extension, without a new visa (art. 56 para. (9) let. e) GEO 194/2002).
If the contract ends, the right of residence remains valid for at most 90 days from the registration of the termination or for as long as the worker receives unemployment benefit (art. 56 para. (6)).
If no new employer is found within 90 days, the agency (or the authorised employer) bears the cost of the return to the country of origin (art. 40 para. (6)–(7) GEO 32/2026).
The single permit may be revoked if the contract has been suspended for more than 3 consecutive months or 6 months in total (art. 77 para. (3) let. i) GEO 194/2002).

Documents required

The full list, grouped by stage, in the document centre → “I want to change employer”: the valid permit, proof of the 6 months (REGES extract) or of the serious breach, proof of termination of the contract with the old employer, the bilingual employment contract with the new employer, proof of accommodation, the single application for extension.

Situations checked case by case

A serious breach by the employer, seasonal workers (they may change employer only if they have not used up the 180 days), workers with authorisations from the old regime and those whose initial agency has lost its licence have special rules. We check them against the legislation in force on the date of the application.

Frequently asked questions

Timeline update

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.

See the OUG 32/2026 implementation timeline →

Updated on 17 September 2026

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: 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) · HG nr. 602/2026 privind platforma electronică WorkinRomania.gov.ro · IGI, Înregistrarea cererilor de aviz în procedura schimbării angajatorului (regim tranzitoriu, până la 7.08.2026)