Working in Romania

Romania's entry into NATO in 2004 is boosted its economy after restrictive communist rule for a long time. It is now one of Europe's most active and flourishing financial centres and one of the fastest-growing economic hubs in the region.

The ‘Tiger of Eastern Europe’ has indeed recuperated from the 2009 global financial crises and is now again one of the strongest countries in the EU. Romania possesses an upper middle-income economy with an outstanding Gross Domestic Product of USD 435.5 billion which is the 13th largest in the European Union and 41st highest in the world regarding Purchasing Power Parity. The influx of expatriates from around the world has transformed the country into a vibrant and dynamic business population, making it an attractive prospect for expat workers seeking a quiet yet spirited and rewarding life while immersing themselves in its culture. This makes migrating to the country an exciting prospect - the proverbial promise of a good life as it is in Romania today.

Top Industries

The leading industries in Romania include services which represent 42.8% of the workforce, agriculture which employs 28.3% of the Romanian population, oil and gas, construction, engineering pharmaceuticals, metallurgy and Information Technology. Recently, there has been upward movement in the automobile, manufacturing, tourism, real estate and furniture sectors along with some promising employment prospects in the financial industry as foreign retail banks open branches locally.

Expats who have professional experience in healthcare, agriculture and construction are at a great advantage. The growing foreign investment sector has also opened doors for native English speakers who'll find expanding opportunities in communication jobs such as English teaching and journalism.

Average Salary and Work Hours

The national minimum wage remains fixed at EUR 320 per month or EUR 3,840 per year while the average monthly salary is RON 5,580 or EUR 1,230. Like most expat destinations, salaries in Romania also vary based on one's qualification and occupation. The personal tax rate is 16% of a worker's gross income and goes towards the social security system, an unemployment benefit scheme and social health insurance.

On average, work in Romania amounts to 8 hours a day for five days a week, usually from 9 am to 6 pm. Romanian law dictates that workers cannot exceed 48 hours of weekly work except in extraordinary circumstances. Paid vacation may extend up to twenty days plus eight public holidays.

The Romanian Work Culture

The Romanian workplace is still beholden to traditional business practices such as the executive department being solely responsible for making important decisions while employees follow without question. The common greeting in this country is a firm handshake with direct eye contact and appropriate greeting for the time of day. Titles are significant in Romania and expats must remember to address someone by their honorific titles such as ‘Domnul’ for men and ‘Doamna’ for women followed by the person’s last name.

When it comes to day-to-day work activities, however, things can get rather informal as Romanians value the opportunity to cultivate personal relationships with co-workers. Romanians may be free-spirited, but they are diligent workers who are conscious of deadlines and daily objectives.