I hate to tell you, but when it comes to the European labour market, South Asians are no longer just passing through – they are here, they are working, they are changing the face of Romania’s workforce. Yes. Really. Whether it’s on construction sites in Bucharest or logistics centres in Iasi, workers from countries like Nepal, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are increasingly appearing. No, most of them never dreamed of moving to Romania. But here they are.
In 2020, Romania issued around 20,000 work permits to non-EU nationals. By 2024? Over 150,000 – and guess who the majority are? South Asians. According to the General Inspectorate for Immigration, this group is now the largest group of foreign workers. That’s not just an increase – it’s a shift. Why? Romania needs workers. After joining the EU, millions of citizens were lost to Western Europe, and local companies are scrambling to fill vacancies.
I hate to tell you, but when it comes to the European labour market, South Asians are no longer just passing through – they are here, they are working, they are changing the face of Romania’s workforce. Yes. Really. Whether it’s on construction sites in Bucharest or logistics centres in Iasi, workers from countries like Nepal, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are increasingly appearing. No, most of them never dreamed of moving to Romania. But here they are.
In 2020, Romania issued around 20,000 work permits to non-EU nationals. By 2024? Over 150,000 – and guess who the majority are? South Asians. According to the General Inspectorate for Immigration, this group is now the largest group of foreign workers. That’s not just an increase – it’s a shift. Why? Romania needs workers. After joining the EU, millions of citizens were lost to Western Europe, and local companies are scrambling to fill vacancies.
Romania is facing one of its worst labour shortages in decades—across sectors like hospitality, construction, logistics, and healthcare. The demographic decline and mass emigration intensify the crisis. While hiring foreign workers has helped, retention is poor, and bureaucracy creates friction. A sustainable solution requires a combination of upskilling locals, reforming laws to allow flexible work, improving migrant integration, and encouraging diaspora to return.
So how did South Asia become Romania’s recruitment gold mine? In a global job market where the Gulf or Europe are the options, Romania’s open labor policy, easy visa process, and EU benefits make it very attractive. However, don’t confuse “legal migration” with “easy migration.” Many workers come thinking they are heading for a better life, only to find harsh conditions, broken promises, or reduced wages. As one worker told me, “I came for €800 a month. If I see €500, I’m lucky.”
Socially, Romania is struggling to adapt to its role as a host country for non-EU migrants. Politically, there’s a tension between the economic necessity of importing labor and the cultural resistance to diversity. Without serious investment in integration, education, and anti-discrimination measures, these issues may deepen—potentially undermining both social cohesion and long-term labor stability.
But it’s not just about hardship—it’s also about resilience. Many migrants stay, some returning home with savings, while others use Romania as a stepping stone to Western Europe. Let’s not forget the recruiters.
Look at the numbers in Cluj, Brasov, Timisoara and especially Bucharest – counties that now have thousands of foreign workers. According to Interior Ministry data, in 2024, Romania had more than 150,000 foreign workers, many of them from South Asia.
The Romanian government continues to expand its annual quota of foreign workers. In 2024, the limit was increased again to keep up with demand. So, the question is not whether more South Asians will come. The real question is: how will Romania support them?
With integration programs still minimal, language barriers high, and some employers taking advantage of workers’ legal vulnerabilities, this trend is about more than labor. It’s about people – and the systems built (or not built) around them.
What we are seeing now is just the beginning. The data shows that this migration pattern will continue to grow. Whether Romania is ready or not, its workforce – and perhaps even its culture – is changing.
Source: General Inspectorate for Immigration Letter (13.06.2025)
| Year | Bangladesh | India | Nepal | Sri Lanka | Total |
| 2020 | 451 | 2248 | 2893 | 2647 | 8239 |
| 2021 | 1069 | 3322 | 4849 | 3378 | 12618 |
| 2022 | 2892 | 4871 | 10232 | 7374 | 25369 |
| 2023 | 4697 | 8106 | 18757 | 14806 | 46366 |
| 2024 | 7346 | 9734 | 30578 | 18505 | 66163 |
Trends and Insights
In 2020, only 8,239 South Asians had obtained Romanian residence permits for work. By 2024, that number had exceeded 66,000. The highest growth was seen among Nepalese and Sri Lankan workers. The year-on-year increase was more dramatic after 2021, reflecting the sudden labor demand in Romania following COVID-19.
Impact of COVID-19
COVID-19 disrupted migration in 2020 and 2021. Lockdowns, travel bans, and visa delays contributed to reduced recruitment. But as restrictions eased, Romania expanded its quotas for foreign labor, particularly in the construction, manufacturing, and logistics sectors.
Country-by-country breakdown
🇧🇩 Bangladesh: From 451 in 2020 to 7,346 in 2024. Bangladeshi migrants in Romania are often employed in textiles, logistics, and agriculture. They typically arrive through recruitment agents and are particularly vulnerable to labor exploitation. Reports of contract substitution (where terms promised at home differ from reality in Romania) are not uncommon. Unlike other groups, Bangladeshi workers often face language barriers and isolation, as there are fewer community structures in place. Many express frustration over Romania’s lack of migrant support systems, though some are beginning to organize informally to demand better treatment.
🇮🇳 India: 2,248 to 9,734.India is one of the largest sources of migrant workers in Romania, particularly in sectors such as construction, hospitality, and manufacturing. Indian workers are often recruited through private agencies and arrive with high hopes for better wages and job security. While many find relatively stable work, there have been reports of long hours, underpayment, and poor living conditions. Cultural and language differences pose challenges, but Indian communities have begun to form informal support networks, including places of worship and food shops in cities like Bucharest and Cluj. Despite this, many Indian workers still see Romania as a stepping stone to Western Europe.
🇳🇵 Nepal: Highest growth – from 2,893 in 2020 to 30,578 in 2024.Nepalese workers are highly visible in Romania’s construction and service industries. Employers value their discipline and work ethic, which has led to a steady increase in Nepalese migration in recent years. Most are young men who send remittances home to support their families. Many face overcrowded housing and poor access to medical care, but instances of protest or advocacy are rare due to fear of job loss or deportation. Nepali workers have a growing online presence where they share information and warn others about exploitative employers.
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka: 2,647 to 18,505. Sri Lankan migrants, though smaller in number, often find employment in caregiving, hospitality, and cleaning services. Many are women, a unique demographic compared to male-dominated groups like Nepalis or Bangladeshis. This adds another layer of vulnerability, particularly regarding labor rights and protection from abuse. Despite these challenges, Sri Lankan workers are generally seen as adaptable and reliable, which has prompted employers to increase recruitment from the country. Some have integrated relatively well, especially in urban areas.
Human stories from the ground
“I came here thinking I could earn 800 euros. If I see 500 euros, I’ll be lucky.” — Ali R., delivery driver in Bangladesh
“I taught in Sri Lanka. Now I clean rooms in Romania. It’s hard, but I send money home.” — Nadeesha F., Housekeeper
“Nobody tells you the truth. You pay the agency, you come here, and you survive.” — Birendra, delivery driver in Nepal
Expert views
“South Asian migration to Romania is now structural, not seasonal. We need policies, not improvements.” — Iona B., Project Coordinator – IOM Romania, Cluj-Napoca
Conclusion
These are no longer temporary guest workers – they are working in Romania’s construction industry, cleaning hotels and premises, stocking its warehouses and delivering their favourite food. If Romania wants a sustainable workforce, it must offer more than contracts. It must offer a future. It is the Romanian government’s responsibility to ensure the job security of the innocent foreigners it trusts to bring in.
Resources
By -: Chathurika Jayangani Kasthuriarachchi & Islam Sobuj
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