Business #12 Legislative focus

During last week’s meeting, the Government reviewed in first reading a draft emergency ordinance that changes how foreign workers are hired in Romania. The new system introduces a digital platform (WorkinRomania.gov.ro), stricter rules for employers and recruitment agencies, financial guarantees, and updated visa and biometric requirements, replacing the current work permit system.

The transition is already creating friction: access to the existing immigration platform has been disrupted, delaying recruitment in sectors like construction, where labour shortages are already severe. Employers are pushing for a transition period until end-2026 to avoid further blockages.

The ordinance is expected to be amended before final adoption, with further negotiation likely involving employers’ associations.

In the current form, the reform would significantly affect how companies recruit and manage foreign labour, with major implications for staffing, compliance, and operational continuity across sectors dependent on external workers. In the short term, the transition may create administrative delays and labour shortages.

Employers should review their foreign hiring strategies, prepare for stricter documentation and guarantee requirements, and plan for potential delays during implementation. Businesses relying on foreign workers should monitor the evolution of this ordinance, in the first place.

USR MPs have proposed a new legislative initiative requiring companies to issue invoices to consumers in Romanian lei (RON), using only the official exchange rate published by the National Bank of Romania. Adding any extra margins, fees, or hidden costs to the exchange rate used for currency conversion will also be banned. Invoices may still be issued and paid in foreign currency (e.g., in euros), but only if both the price and payment are agreed in that currency by the consumer. Companies must also clearly inform consumers, before signing a contract, how invoicing and currency conversion will work.

With low chances of passing (with no additional political support), the initiative has just been registered in the Senate, with the first debate in Parliament set to begin in a month.

In practice, this means businesses will no longer be able to apply their own internal rates when billing consumers. Moreover, for existing contracts, businesses will need to update terms through addenda, without charging customers. This would directly affect pricing, billing systems, and commercial practices across multiple sectors.

Businesses are encouraged to closely monitor the legislative developments of this bill. If adopted, they should review their invoicing practices, contractual clauses, and pricing models, especially where foreign currency references are used.

The Competition Council has proposed new rules on economic concentrations (mergers and acquisitions) to simplify procedures, increase digital communication, and integrate foreign investment screening into merger control. Decisions would be communicated electronically, and documentation requirements for notifications would be reduced, while merger filings are linked with the Foreign Direct Investment screening process handled by CEISD. It also clarifies when a joint venture is considered fully functional, and introduces the possibility of suspending transactions that pose risks for national security.

The public debate window closes in 10 days, after which the order is expected to be signed and published in the Official Gazette.

This would mainly affect companies involved in mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures in Romania. Transactions could face additional review layers in sensitive sectors, even if administrative steps are simplified.

Companies planning mergers or acquisitions should review deal timelines, especially where foreign investors are involved, and factor in potential coordination between competition and investment screening authorities.