The Romanian paperwork, in the order you actually need it

1. Your status document

EU citizens staying past 90 days: the certificat de înregistrare from IGI (bring passport, proof of work or means, address). Non-EU: the residence permit (permis de ședere) at IGI within the window after arrival on your long-stay visa — for employment permits it authorizes work for the sponsoring employer.

2. CNP — the number everything asks for

The CNP (cod numeric personal) comes with your registration certificate / residence permit. Payroll, banks, clinics, utilities and ANAF all key on it — until you have it, half of Romanian admin is blocked, so registering early is the single best move.

3. Health insurance (CASS)

Employees are insured through payroll contributions; your CNP connects you to the system (CNAS). Many internationals also carry private clinic subscriptions (common employer perk) for English-speaking care — a complement, not a legal replacement.

Orientation, not legal advice: rules change and cases differ. Every section links the official source — always verify there or with a professional (gestor / consultant) before acting. Facts last verified July 2026.

Common questions

Do I need to speak Romanian at IGI?

Counters vary; big-city IGI offices handle internationals daily but bringing a Romanian-speaking colleague or your employer’s HR helps. Employers sponsoring non-EU hires typically run the process for you — a good sign of a serious employer.

The rest of the toolkit: the expat reference library · the live Working in Romania report · companies hiring right now. Compiled from official sources; corrections welcome.