Romania has become a destination for thousands of non-EU workers, especially in construction, hospitality, manufacturing, and transport. But many workers worry: What happens if I quit, get fired, or my contract ends early? Can I stay in Romania? Will I be deported?
This article breaks it all down—clearly and honestly—so you know your rights and what steps to take to avoid legal trouble or being forced to return home.
🔑 1. Your Right to Stay Depends on Your Work and Residence Permit
If you’re a non-EU citizen working in Romania, you probably hold a single permit (permis de ședere în scop de muncă). This permit links your legal stay to a specific job with a specific employer.
Important: If that job ends—whether you quit, get fired, or the contract is interrupted—your legal right to stay in Romania is not automatically valid anymore.
🛑 What Happens When Your Job Ends?
➤ If You Resign or Are Fired
Your employer is legally required to notify the Immigration Office (IGI) that your work contract has ended. Once that happens, the IGI may withdraw your right to stay, unless you take action quickly.
➤ If Your Contract Expires or Is Interrupted
Same as above: unless you’re hired elsewhere and legal steps are taken, your right to stay expires.
⏰ You Have 60 Days to Find a New Employer
Under Romanian law, you have a 60-day window after your contract ends to find another job and start the process to transfer your work permit to the new employer.
This 60-day rule is a lifeline. But it only helps if you act fast.
✅ How to Stay Legal: Step-by-Step if You Change Jobs
🧭 Example 1: You Quit Your Job for a Better Offer
Let’s say you resign from a job in Brașov to take a better offer in Cluj.
Steps:
- Get a new job offer with a valid contract.
- Your new employer must apply for a new work authorization (aviz de muncă) for you.
- Once approved, you apply at the IGI to change your residence permit to the new employer.
- This must all happen within 60 days from your last day at the old job.
Tip: Don’t wait too long. The new employer needs time to handle bureaucracy.
🧭 Example 2: Your Employer Goes Bankrupt
If your job ends through no fault of your own, like the company closing, the 60-day clock still applies.
Best move: Contact the IGI right away. Let them know your situation and ask what documents you’ll need to transition to a new job.
🧭 Example 3: You’re Fired After 3 Months
If you’re fired during your probation or after a short period, you still have 60 days. It doesn’t matter why the job ended—you can still find a new employer and transfer your permit.
❗ What Happens If You Don’t Find a New Job?
If the 60 days pass and you haven’t secured a new contract or work permit:
- The IGI may cancel your residence permit.
- You could be considered irregular (illegal) and face deportation.
- You might be banned from reentering Romania or the Schengen area for a period.
🧠 Pro Tips to Avoid Problems
- Keep all documents. Always keep copies of your work contract, salary slips, and residence card.
- Don’t work illegally. If you work without proper documents, you risk deportation and future visa bans.
- Use a lawyer or legal NGO. If you’re unsure what to do, contact legal support or an NGO that works with migrant workers in Romania.
- Inform the IGI proactively. If your job ends, let the IGI know and ask for advice. Staying silent may hurt your chances later.
📘 Bonus: Can You Switch to a Different Type of Permit?
If you can’t find another job quickly, you might consider applying for a different type of residence permit, like:
- Permit for looking for work (rare, but possible in special cases)
- Permit for studies (if enrolling in a Romanian university or school)
- Permit for family reunification (if married to a Romanian or EU citizen)
These require different documents and conditions, but they can be alternatives to going home.
Final Thoughts
Losing your job in Romania as a non-EU worker doesn’t mean immediate deportation—but it does mean you need to move fast, get informed, and follow the right steps.
The key is knowing your 60-day window and how to use it wisely. Keep communication open with your new employer, the IGI, and legal advisors.
Your future in Romania depends on how quickly and correctly you act.