Romania has seen a significant increase in migrant workers, with the number of work permits given to non-EU citizens increasing threefold over the last ten years! This trend prompts thought-provoking queries regarding the nation’s upcoming immigration strategies.
Main highlights:
A significant increase in work permits: Romania granted 31,000 work permits in the year 2022, with the primary sources of migrant workers being Sri Lanka and Nepal.
Restricted Long-Term Residency: Despite the rise, the majority of migrant workers do not remain for an extended period. The proportion of immigrants in Romania continues to be small. The potential membership of Romania in the Schengen Area could lead to a reassessment of its open borders policy regarding migrant workers.
Possible Effect on EU Immigration: The increase of migrant workers in Romania may impact broader EU immigration policies, such as visa programs and long-term residency regulations.
Romania’s Plan:
Romania appears to be relying on work permits to tackle labor shortages instead of significantly raising the number of permanent residents. This enables them to advantage from the expertise of foreign workers without experiencing a significant change in demographics.
Romania’s handling of migrant workers may shift with entrance into the Schengen Area. The European Union could push Romania to strengthen regulations, which could affect other immigration policies within the EU.
What comes after this?
Although it is uncertain how Romania will manage its requirements for migrant workers while fulfilling its obligations in the Schengen Area. This scenario is expected to prompt debates on immigration policies across the EU in the coming days.
