Business Travel to Romania vs Work Permit: When Do You Need a Visa?
Not every trip to Romania for work requires a work permit. Here is where the line sits between business travel and employment.
Nestlers Group Editorial Team
Global Mobility Team
One of the most common compliance questions HR managers face is: does this trip require a work permit? Getting this wrong has real consequences. Under GEO 32/2026, engaging a non-EU national in work activity without authorisation exposes the employer to fines of up to RON 20,000 per worker.
The Starting Point: Visa-Free vs Visa-Required Countries
Romania is a Schengen Area member as of January 2024. Citizens with Schengen visa-free access (US, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea) may enter without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Citizens of countries including India, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nigeria must obtain a type C visa before travel. The 90-day limit is cumulative across the entire Schengen Area.
What Counts as Business Travel (No Work Permit Required)?
Permitted business travel activities include:
- Attending meetings, conferences, trade fairs, or seminars
- Negotiating and signing contracts on behalf of a foreign employer
- Conducting market research or due diligence visits
- Visiting clients or business partners
- Receiving incidental training
- Attending board or shareholder meetings
The common thread: the economic value generated is not being produced in Romania.
What Requires a Work Permit?
A D/AM1 or D/AM2 visa under GEO 32/2026 is required when the non-EU national carries out activity directly generating economic value for a Romanian entity. This includes:
- Software development or technical work delivered to a Romanian client
- On-site project management or supervision of Romanian employees
- Professional services billed to a Romanian entity
- Construction or installation work on a Romanian site
- Teaching or training delivered as the primary contracted service
- Any activity under the direction of a Romanian employer
The ICT (Intra-Company Transfer) Route
For employees needing to work in Romania for more than 90 days but not hired locally, the ICT permit under EU Directive 2014/66/EU allows managers, specialists, and trainees to be seconded from a non-EU group entity to a Romanian affiliate for up to three years (managers/specialists) or one year (trainees). Requirements:
- Employed by the sending company for at least three months before transfer
- Sending and receiving entities must be part of the same corporate group
- Salary must meet or exceed the Romanian average gross wage for the sector
- Assignment must be temporary
ICT permits are processed by IGI without ANOFM authorisation or quota allocation.
The Posted Worker Framework
Where the traveller is an EU-based employee posted by an EU employer to Romania, the Posted Workers Directive (2018/957/EU) applies. The posting employer must:
- Notify the Romanian Labour Inspectorate (ITM) before the posting begins
- Ensure Romanian mandatory working conditions apply
- Designate a contact person in Romania for ITM communications
Practical Compliance Steps for HR Teams
For each international assignment to Romania:
- Confirm the traveller's citizenship and Schengen visa requirement
- Identify whether the work is business travel or work activity requiring a permit
- Check the 90-day Schengen count for the individual
- If the assignment exceeds 90 days or involves direct service delivery, determine whether D/AM1, D/AM2, or ICT applies
- If an EU-employed posted worker, file the ITM notification before travel
- Document the assessment and retain records
How Nestlers Group Supports Assignment Compliance
Nestlers Group works with global mobility teams to assess each international assignment to Romania and determine the correct immigration route. Our Work Permit and Visa Support team handles D/AM1 and D/AM2 applications through WorkinRomania.gov.ro, ICT permit submissions, and posted worker ITM notifications. Our HR Compliance team tracks Schengen day counts, permit expiry dates, and posting notification obligations.
Sources: GEO 32/2026 (Official Gazette No. 335, 27 April 2026); EU Short-Stay Visa Code (Regulation 810/2009); EU ICT Directive 2014/66/EU; EU Posted Workers Directive 2018/957/EU; Schengen Borders Code (Regulation 2016/399); ITM 2026; IGI 2026.
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