How does EU Blue Card (Highly Qualified Workers) work in Romania, and who qualifies?

The EU Blue Card is Romania's route for highly qualified third-country professionals who have a qualifying job offer. Its key advantages over the standard employment route are that it skips the labour-market test and offers a combined work-and-residence permit with enhanced rights.

To qualify you generally need an employment contract or binding job offer for at least the minimum qualifying period, higher education qualifications (or, where allowed, sufficient relevant professional experience), and a gross salary meeting or exceeding the national Blue Card threshold, which is set annually. You will also need a valid travel document and sickness insurance. The application is processed through IGI, with a decision generally within about 30 days.

Because the salary threshold changes each year, it is worth confirming the current figure and checking whether the Blue Card or the standard employment route fits you better. ACME can compare your offer and qualifications against both, and we suggest verifying the current threshold on igi.mai.gov.ro first.