Romania | EU Blue Card updates and work permit changes

The Romanian government announced updates to its EU Blue Card regulations, as well as changes to work permits, including extending validity periods.

‌Key Points:

• The European Union issued a directive in 2021 that updated the existing EU Blue Card process, and Romania’s new regulations are intended to comply with that directive.
• The new rules update key provisions, including:
  • Wider eligibility. Foreign nationals with eligible professional experience may now qualify for an EU Blue Card; previously, all applicants required relevant academic experience.
  • The validity period for an EU Blue Card permit increased to three years.
  • Other key updates include facilitating greater family reunification, improved long-term mobility options and increased short-term mobility options.

Additional Information: As BAL previously reported, the Romanian government recently published its annual quota for workers from outside the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland. Authorities issued 100,000 non-EU national work authorization quota spots for 2024 for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals, which is the same amount set in 2022 and 2023.

BAL Analysis: The Romanian government is implementing the requirements of Directive (EU) 2021/1883 to restructure and widen the migration possibilities with an EU Blue Card. The complete list of countries that have updated their requirements can be found here. The new immigration initiatives are designed to make it easier for skilled workers to live and work in Romania and will take immediate effect.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

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