Non-EU Driver at Romanian Company: International Routes in EU

Non-EU Driver at Romanian Company: International Routes in EU

The shortage of professional drivers in Romania is pushing more transport companies to recruit citizens from outside the European Union: Republic of Moldova, Turkey, Central or South Asia. The good news is that a non-EU citizen employed under an employment contract at a Romanian company can legally perform international routes on EU territory, including circuit routes (for example RO → DE → IT → FR), provided they correctly follow two parallel processes: immigration (right to work and residence) and professional certification in road transport. Below you will find the steps, applicable regulations, and a checklist of mandatory documents on board the truck.

Step 1: Right to Work and Residence in Romania

Before any discussion about transport licenses, the driver must have a legal work status in Romania:

1. Employment authorization – requested by the employer at the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI – Inspectoratul General pentru Imigrări), for the occupation of driver/road transport operator.
2. Long-stay visa for employment (type D/AM) – obtained by the worker at Romania's diplomatic mission in the country of origin, based on the employment authorization.
3. Individual employment contract – concluded and registered in REVISAL before starting work, in accordance with the Labor Code (Codul muncii).
4. Single residence permit – requested at IGI after entry; this simultaneously certifies the right of residence and the right to work.

Also note the integration obligations introduced by OUG no. 32/2026 (Emergency Ordinance), including the 156-hour integration course for foreign workers, detailed in Order no. 655/26.05.2026 – a compliance element that employers must plan during the recruitment phase.

Step 2: Professional Certification in Transport (EU Requirement)

Immigration status is not sufficient to put the driver in the truck on community routes. Three distinct components are needed:

• Valid driving license, categories C and CE – exchanged or recognized in Romania, according to driving license regulations. Check in advance whether the country of origin has an exchange agreement with Romania; otherwise, the driver will need to take an exam.
• Professional Qualification Certificate (Code 95 / CPC) – required by Directive 2003/59/EC and transposed through OMT no. 1214/2015. A non-EU driver cannot perform professional road transport in the community without Code 95 obtained or recognized in a member state.
• Attestation for drivers from third countries – issued by the Romanian Road Authority (ARR – Autoritatea Rutieră Română) under Regulation (EC) no. 1072/2009. This document proves, at any EU checkpoint, that the driver is legally employed at a licensed transport operator in Romania and meets professional training conditions. The attestation is personal, linked to the company, and must be kept in original form on board the vehicle.

Step 3: Mandatory Documents on Board for Circuit Routes (RO → DE → IT → FR)

Practical checklist for the transport manager, before each route departure:

• Driving license (C/CE) + driver's tachograph card;
• Single residence permit in Romania (or valid D visa) + passport;
• Certified copy of the company's community transport license;
• Driver attestation (ARR) in original, in the driver's and operator's name;
• IMI Posted Worker Declaration – mandatory for cross-trade operations and cabotage, in accordance with Directive (EU) 2020/1057 from Mobility Package I; filed through the IMI portal before the operation begins;
• Form A1 (or proof of application submission to CNPP) – certifies that the driver is insured under Romania's social security system;
• Employment contract or an extract thereof, recommended in copy, for labor authority checks in transit countries.

Golden rule: transit and bilateral transport have a more relaxed regime, but cross-trade (e.g., DE → IT) and cabotage trigger posting obligations from the Mobility Package, including the minimum wage applicable in the host country for those periods.

Why Compliance Matters: EU Controls

Authorities in Germany (BALM/BAG), France, and Italy systematically inspect East European trucks. Absence of the ARR attestation, IMI declaration, or Form A1 can result in significant fines, amounting to thousands or tens of thousands of euros, vehicle immobilization, and risk of damage to the operator's reputation. In Romania, ISCTR and the Labor Inspectorate (Inspecția Muncii) sanction undeclared work by foreigners and posting violations. The cost of compliance is always less than the cost of a single major fine.

For employers managing multiple foreign drivers, the WantJOB platform automates the hiring file for non-EU workers – from documents for work authorization to tracking permit and attestation validity dates – significantly reducing compliance risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Moldovan driver employed in Romania perform a Germany → France route?

Yes, if he has the driver attestation issued by ARR, a valid Code 95, a residence permit in Romania, and the operator has filed the IMI posting declaration for the cross-trade operation.

Is Code 95 obtained in the country of origin (non-EU) sufficient?

Not automatically. Code 95 must be obtained or recognized in an EU member state, in accordance with Directive 2003/59/EC. In practice, most non-EU drivers complete CPC training in Romania.

Does the ARR attestation remain valid if the driver changes employers?

No. The driver attestation is issued in the driver's and transport operator's names; upon changing employers, a new attestation must be requested.

Is the IMI declaration necessary for all international routes?

No. Bilateral transport (RO → member state and return) and transit are generally exempt. The IMI declaration becomes mandatory for cross-trade and cabotage, under Directive (EU) 2020/1057.

How long does the entire non-EU driver hiring process take?

Duration varies depending on the country of origin, IGI and diplomatic mission workload, plus time for license exchange and obtaining Code 95. Realistically, plan for several months and check updated deadlines on the IGI and ARR websites.