Romania struggles to keep foreign workers as Europe lures them away

Employers warn of worsening shortages as Romania fails to retain foreign talent. Will tracking systems alone fix the exodus to Germany and Spain?

, and Administrator

2026 March 2 . 10:01 AM

1 min read

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Romania struggles to keep foreign workers as Europe lures them away

Romania is facing a growing challenge in retaining foreign workers as many leave for better opportunities elsewhere in Europe. Despite setting an official quota of around 90,000 newly admitted workers for 2026, demand from employers far exceeds this number. The issue has become more urgent as sectors like construction, hospitality, and manufacturing struggle with worsening labour shortages.

The problem stems from foreign workers, once in Romania, often moving on to other European countries. Higher wages, better working conditions, and stronger social benefits in nations like Germany and Spain make them more attractive destinations. Bucharest, in particular, has seen a rising number of foreign nationals, but many do not stay long-term.

To manage short-stay movement, Romania is using the Entry/Exit System (EES) and plans to introduce the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). However, these measures focus on tracking rather than improving retention. Employers warn that without better conditions, Romania risks becoming a transit country rather than a stable workplace for foreign labour.

No European country has yet announced specific policies to improve wages or working conditions for foreign workers to encourage them to stay. While Germany and Spain have eased immigration processes and qualification recognition, these steps do not directly address retention challenges.

Romania's labour market continues to lose foreign workers to other European states in 2026. Without stronger efforts to improve living and working conditions, the country may struggle to fill critical gaps in key industries. The current quota system and tracking tools alone are unlikely to solve the underlying issue of worker retention.