Romanians opt countries with labor market restrictions

Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden decided to forego labor market restrictions. However, some 31 percent of Romanians who have emigrated went to work in Italy, and a further 17 percent to Spain. Other destinations for Romanian migrant workers are Germany (8 percent), the US (5 percent), and France (4 percent), according to a study by EU-based NGO European Citizen Action Service (ECAS).

“Migration to those countries began 8-10 years ago and people have those destinations in mind. In addition, these pay better than other countries who offer the right to work,” according to the Managing Director of HR agency Royalty Jobs International, Isabella Berghoffer.

Some 2.5 million Romanians are currently working abroad, while about 11 percent of Romanians aged 18 to 59 are considering emigration.