Romania continues to have opportunities for professional truck drivers, particularly in road freight, logistics, distribution and international transport. For non-EU nationals, however, getting a truck-driving job involves more than finding a vacancy: the worker must have the correct driving and professional qualifications, a Romanian employer willing to hire them, and the appropriate immigration authorization.
In 2026, Romania has also introduced important changes to the way foreign workers are processed, including a new digital WorkinRomania platform and two employment-visa categories, D/AM1 and D/AM2.
This guide explains the main requirements, potential salaries, professional-driver qualifications, work-permit process and Romanian work-visa procedure for international truck drivers.
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Are Truck Driver Jobs Available in Romania in 2026?
Yes. Current Romanian job listings show hundreds of truck-driver vacancies, including positions for C+E drivers, professional truck drivers and drivers working on domestic and international routes.
Examples of roles advertised in 2026 include:
- C+E truck driver
- TIR driver
- Professional truck driver
- Trailer driver
- International freight driver
- Distribution truck driver
- 7.5-tonne truck driver
- Community/international transport driver
- Crane-truck driver
- C-category driver
Some vacancies are based in Romania, while others advertised on Romanian job platforms involve driving routes in other European countries. Applicants should therefore check the actual country of employment and contract before applying.
What Is a C+E Truck Driver?
A C+E licence is commonly associated with heavy goods vehicles and articulated combinations.
For professional road freight work, drivers may need the appropriate driving licence category plus professional qualification.
The Romanian Road Transport Authority (ARR) states that drivers carrying goods or passengers using vehicles in categories including C1, C1E, C and CE must hold a professional qualification certificate.
This makes C+E experience particularly valuable for international freight positions.
Main Requirements for Truck Driver Jobs
Requirements vary between employers, but international applicants should generally expect to need several of the following:
- Valid passport
- Appropriate heavy-vehicle driving licence
- C or C+E category, depending on the job
- Professional driver qualification
- Code 95/CPC where applicable
- Valid medical fitness
- Driving experience
- Clean or acceptable driving record
- Tachograph card where required
- ADR certificate for certain dangerous-goods jobs
- Employment contract
- Romanian work authorization where required
- Appropriate Romanian long-stay work visa where required
The exact requirements depend on the type of transport and the vehicle being driven.
Code 95 and Professional Driver Qualification
One of the most important qualifications for professional truck drivers is the EU Code 95/CPC system.
Romania’s Road Transport Authority explains that professional drivers operating vehicles in categories C1, C1E, C and CE must hold a professional qualification certificate. EU/EEA/Swiss-issued qualifications meeting the applicable requirements can be recognized in Romania, including licences or driver qualification cards carrying the EU Code 95.
EU rules also require periodic professional training, generally involving 35 hours every five years for covered drivers.
For a non-EU driver, the exact process for obtaining or recognizing professional qualifications needs to be checked based on the driver’s country, employer and work authorization.
Tachograph Card
Professional truck drivers operating vehicles covered by tachograph rules generally need the appropriate driver card.
ARR’s current guidance says applications for a Romanian driver tachograph card can require:
- Application form
- Identity document or passport
- Valid driving licence
- Proof of the right to work in Romania for relevant non-EU foreign nationals
- Proof of current residence in Romania or qualifying employment relationship
- Photograph
- Applicable fee
ARR currently lists a 239 lei fee for issuing the driver card.
A foreign driver should therefore discuss tachograph-card arrangements with the employer before beginning professional driving.
ADR Qualification
Drivers transporting dangerous goods may need an ADR professional qualification in addition to their ordinary truck-driving credentials.
ADR is particularly relevant for jobs involving:
- Fuel
- Chemicals
- Gas
- Certain industrial materials
- Other regulated dangerous goods
Not every truck-driver position requires ADR certification, so applicants should check the job description.
Truck Driver Salaries in Romania in 2026
Salary varies significantly according to route, experience, vehicle category and whether the job is domestic or international.
A 2026 eJobs salary guide reports an average real net salary of about 5,500 lei per month for the occupation “Șofer TIR/camion,” while the average expected salary reported by candidates is approximately 7,500 lei net per month.
Current job advertisements illustrate the variation. For example, recent listings include Romanian positions offering around 5,400 lei net, 6,000–8,000 lei net, and 7,000–10,000 lei net per month, while some international/community positions advertise substantially higher packages.
These advertised figures should not be interpreted as a guaranteed national salary range.
Factors Affecting Salary
A truck driver’s earnings can depend on:
- C versus C+E qualification
- Domestic versus international routes
- Number of days away from home
- Experience
- ADR qualification
- Type of trailer
- Distance travelled
- Bonuses
- Per-diem allowances
- Overtime
- Night or weekend work
- Employer
- Destination countries
Always establish whether an advertised figure is gross salary, net salary, salary plus allowances, or a total package.
Romania’s Minimum Wage in 2026
The national minimum wage is another useful benchmark.
According to EURES, from July 1, 2026, Romania’s guaranteed national minimum gross basic salary is RON 4,325 per month for full-time work, excluding bonuses and other benefits. EURES gives an approximate equivalent of €850 gross.
A professional truck driver will not necessarily earn the minimum wage; many positions pay more because of professional qualifications, experience, allowances and the nature of the work.
Can Non-EU Truck Drivers Work in Romania?
Yes, provided they obtain the necessary authorization.
The European Commission’s EU Immigration Portal states that a non-EU employed worker generally needs a work authorization and long-stay visa to work in Romania. If the employment lasts more than 90 days, the worker must also obtain a temporary residence permit after arrival.
For the normal employment route, the future Romanian employer applies for the work authorization on behalf of the foreign worker, unless an exemption applies.
This is why genuine employer sponsorship is so important.
How Romanian Work Sponsorship Works
For a typical non-EU truck driver, the process can be summarized as:
Job offer → employer work authorization → long-stay work visa → entry into Romania → residence formalities → legal employment
The driver normally cannot simply arrive in Romania and begin working without the appropriate authorization.
Romania’s General Inspectorate for Immigration states that a non-EU citizen seeking employment must first find an employer; if the employer decides to hire the person, the employer obtains the work permit.
Romania’s 2026 D/AM Work Visa System
Romania’s official immigration information now distinguishes between D/AM1 and D/AM2 employment visas.
The official WorkinRomania information says D/AM1 is primarily for highly qualified workers and certain other categories, while D/AM2 covers permanent workers, seasonal workers and cross-border workers.
For an ordinary foreign truck driver hired as a permanent worker, the relevant route will generally be the D/AM2 employment visa, subject to the individual circumstances and applicable authorization.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs likewise identifies D/AM as the long-stay employment visa and explains that it is issued based on the relevant work authorization except where an exemption applies.
Step-by-Step Romania Truck Driver Work Visa Process
Step 1: Find a Genuine Employer
Start by finding a Romanian transport, logistics or freight company willing to hire foreign workers.
The job should clearly state:
- Employer name
- Job location
- Truck type
- Driving category
- Salary
- Working schedule
- Route
- Accommodation, if offered
- Contract duration
- Work-permit arrangements
Step 2: Employer Applies for Work Authorization
Where a work authorization is required, the employer submits the application to the Romanian immigration authorities.
Romania’s immigration system now uses digital procedures for employer applications, and the WorkinRomania platform was launched for foreign-worker employment processes.
Step 3: Receive the Work Authorization
Once approved, the relevant documentation allows the worker to proceed with the employment-visa process.
The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the D/AM employment visa application can be lodged within 180 days from the date the work permit is issued.
Step 4: Apply for the Long-Stay Work Visa
The applicant applies for the Romanian D/AM visa through the appropriate Romanian diplomatic mission or consular post.
The application normally requires supporting documentation.
Step 5: Travel to Romania
After receiving the appropriate visa, the worker can travel to Romania according to the conditions of the visa.
Step 6: Complete Residence Formalities
For employment exceeding 90 days, a temporary residence permit is generally required after arrival. (Migration and Home Affairs)
Step 7: Begin Authorized Employment
The driver should only begin work in accordance with the authorization and employment conditions.
Documents for a Romanian Truck Driver Visa
The exact document list depends on the applicant and visa category, but the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists supporting documents for employment visas.
For drivers, documentation can specifically include:
- Employment contract
- Medical/travel insurance
- Criminal-record certificate
- Valid travel document
- Proof of accommodation
- Evidence of means of support
- Driving licence and relevant transport documents
- Itinerary or travel documentation where applicable
Importantly, the official Romanian visa guidance specifically mentions a driving licence, Green Card, vehicle-registration documents and proof of itinerary in the case of drivers where applicable.
The consulate can require additional documents depending on the case.
How Long Does the Romanian Work Visa Take?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that D/AM visa decisions are generally taken by the National Visa Center within 20 days of submission for the relevant category, while the broader e-Visa guidance notes that long-stay visa applications can take up to 30 days from personal presentation at the diplomatic mission or consular post.
Applicants should therefore avoid booking non-refundable travel until their visa has been approved.
Processing times can also be affected by document verification, additional checks and consular procedures.
Does a Romanian Employer Pay for the Visa?
There is no universal rule that every cost associated with immigration must be paid by the employer.
The employment contract and recruitment arrangement should clearly identify which costs are paid by:
- Employer
- Worker
- Recruitment agency
Applicants should be especially cautious about large unexplained payments for “guaranteed sponsorship.”
A genuine employer should be identifiable and should provide verifiable employment documentation.
Can a Truck Driver Bring Family to Romania?
Family reunification may be possible for foreign workers who obtain an appropriate Romanian residence status, but it is not automatic simply because a person has a truck-driver job.
The worker’s residence permit, length and legal basis of stay, family relationship and other conditions can affect eligibility.
Applicants planning to relocate with spouses or children should check the family-reunification rules separately before making arrangements.
Can Truck Drivers Work Throughout the EU?
This is an important distinction.
A Romanian employment contract does not automatically give a non-EU national unrestricted permission to work in every EU country.
A driver employed by a Romanian transport company may operate international routes, but the legal rules governing third-country professional drivers, driver attestations, cabotage, posting and other cross-border operations can apply.
Therefore, an advertisement saying:
“Work in Romania and drive all over Europe”
does not necessarily mean that the worker has unrestricted employment rights in every country visited.
The employer should explain the routes and legal arrangements before the driver signs the contract.
Romanian Truck Driver Jobs: Domestic vs International
Domestic Driving
Domestic jobs keep the driver mainly within Romania.
Advantages can include:
- More predictable home time
- Less cross-border administration
- Familiar routes
- Potentially easier communication
International Driving
International drivers may travel across multiple European countries.
These jobs can offer higher total compensation but may involve:
- Longer periods away from home
- More complex schedules
- Cross-border documentation
- Different road regulations
- Greater responsibility
- More demanding working conditions
The salary should be evaluated together with the amount of time spent away from home.
What Skills Make a Truck Driver More Employable?
International employers may favor applicants with:
- C+E licence
- Code 95/CPC
- Several years of professional experience
- International driving experience
- ADR certification
- Tachograph experience
- Basic English
- Basic Romanian
- Good safety record
- Knowledge of EU road regulations
- Experience with refrigerated trailers or specialized equipment
For drivers targeting international routes, basic English can be particularly useful.
Is Romanian Language Required?
Not necessarily.
Some international transport companies operate in multilingual environments and may communicate with drivers in English or another language.
However, basic Romanian can make daily life easier and improve communication with employers, mechanics, authorities and local service providers.
For safety-critical instructions, drivers must be able to understand the information required to perform their work legally and safely.
How to Find Legitimate Truck Driver Jobs in Romania
Applicants can search:
- Romanian job websites
- Transport-company career pages
- EURES
- Licensed recruitment agencies
- Logistics companies
- Freight operators
- International transport companies
Current Romanian job boards show substantial demand for truck and professional-driver positions, although many listings are for workers already eligible to work in Romania.
When searching online, useful keywords include:
“Truck Driver Romania visa sponsorship”
“C+E driver Romania”
“TIR driver Romania”
“Romania truck driver work permit”
“Professional driver Romania foreign workers”
“International truck driver Romania”
“Romania logistics jobs visa sponsorship”
How to Avoid Fake Truck Driver Job Offers
International truck drivers should be particularly careful with recruitment scams.
Red flags include:
- Guaranteed visa
- Guaranteed job without an interview
- Extremely high salary with no experience required
- Requests for large upfront payments
- No identifiable Romanian employer
- Fake work-permit documents
- Requests to travel on a tourist visa and work illegally
- No written employment contract
- Salary advertised only through WhatsApp
- Pressure to send passport copies or money immediately
The Romanian immigration authorities emphasize legal employment, and employers have a formal role in obtaining the necessary work authorization.
Never pay for a “guaranteed Romanian visa.”
What Should Be Included in the Employment Offer?
Before accepting an offer, ask for written confirmation of:
| Item | What to Verify |
|---|---|
| Employer | Full legal company name |
| Job | Exact driver position |
| Licence | C, CE or other category |
| Qualification | CPC/Code 95 requirements |
| Salary | Gross or net |
| Allowances | Per diem and route allowances |
| Working hours | Normal schedule |
| Overtime | Payment arrangements |
| Routes | Romania or international |
| Accommodation | Free, paid or deducted |
| Transport | Airport/workplace arrangements |
| Work permit | Who handles it |
| Visa | Correct visa category |
| Contract | Duration and conditions |
| Insurance | Coverage provided |
Important 2026 Developments
Romania’s immigration framework is actively changing.
The Romanian General Inspectorate for Immigration reported in August 2026 that the WorkinRomania digital platform had already received nearly 350 applications during its first five days of operation.
Romania also adopted Government Emergency Ordinance No. 32/2026, addressing foreign nationals’ access to the labour market and related immigration legislation.
These developments mean that older online articles about Romanian work permits may no longer describe the complete current process.
Applicants should always check the latest information before submitting an application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners get truck-driver jobs in Romania in 2026?
Yes. Non-EU nationals can potentially work as truck drivers in Romania if they have a genuine employer, appropriate professional qualifications and the required work and immigration authorization.
Do I need a C+E licence?
For many heavy articulated-truck positions, yes. The exact licence category depends on the vehicle and job.
Do truck drivers need Code 95?
Professional drivers operating covered C/C1/CE-category vehicles generally need the appropriate professional qualification. Romania recognizes qualifying EU/EEA/Swiss professional qualifications carrying Code 95 under the applicable rules.
Can a Romanian company sponsor a non-EU truck driver?
Potentially. Where a work authorization is required, the employer generally applies for it on behalf of the worker.
What visa do truck drivers use?
For a typical non-EU permanent worker, the relevant route is generally the Romanian D/AM long-stay employment visa, with the current D/AM1 and D/AM2 framework determining the applicable category.
How much do truck drivers earn in Romania?
A 2026 eJobs salary guide reports an average real net salary of approximately 5,500 lei per month for TIR/truck drivers, while current job advertisements show considerable variation depending on the role and route.
Can I work in Romania without a work permit?
Some foreign nationals fall under exemptions, but a typical non-EU worker generally requires work authorization unless an exemption applies.
Can I drive internationally after getting a Romanian work visa?
Potentially, if your Romanian employer’s transport operation and your driver documentation permit it. International driving involves additional EU transport rules, so the employer should confirm the routes and documentation before employment begins.
Final Thoughts
Truck driver jobs in Romania can provide a potential employment route for qualified international drivers in 2026, especially candidates with C+E licences, professional-driver qualifications, Code 95/CPC and experience with international freight.
Current Romanian job listings demonstrate continued demand for professional truck drivers, while salary data shows that earnings vary significantly depending on the type of work.
For non-EU applicants, the key point is that the job comes first and the immigration process follows. A genuine Romanian employer normally plays the central role in obtaining the required work authorization, after which the worker can apply for the appropriate long-stay employment visa.
Before accepting any offer, verify the employer, salary, licence requirements, Code 95/CPC status, work-permit arrangements, accommodation and international-route conditions. Do not pay an intermediary for a supposedly guaranteed visa or work permit.
This article is for general informational purposes and is not legal or immigration advice. Romanian immigration, employment and road-transport rules can change. Applicants should verify the current requirements with the Romanian General Inspectorate for Immigration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Romanian Road Transport Authority before making an application or paying recruitment-related fees.