Moving to the UK from Romania: Complete Guide 2026
What you need to know
- •Free movement ended 31 December 2020. New Romanian arrivals need a visa.
- •Large existing Romanian community — one of the biggest EU national groups in the UK.
- •Skilled Worker visa is the main work route for new arrivals.
- •No TB test required, but English language test IS required.
- •Budget 15,000 to 35,000 RON for visa fees, IHS, and related costs.
Romania has one of the largest national communities in the UK, with approximately 400,000 to 500,000 Romanian-born residents. Before Brexit, Romanian citizens could live and work in the UK under EU free movement (though Romania was subject to transitional work restrictions until 2014). Since 1 January 2021, new Romanian arrivals need a visa. This guide explains the current routes, the EUSS legacy, and the practical steps for moving from Romania to the UK.
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The Romanian Community in the UK
Romania has one of the largest national communities in the United Kingdom. Romanian migration to the UK accelerated significantly after 2014, when transitional work restrictions on Romanian (and Bulgarian) citizens were lifted. By 2020, the Romanian-born population in the UK was estimated at 400,000 to 500,000, making it the second-largest EU national group after Poland.
Romanian communities are spread across the UK, with significant populations in London (particularly East London — Barking and Dagenham, Newham, Redbridge), as well as Birmingham, Manchester, Southampton, Northampton, and many smaller towns in Eastern England. The community is supported by Romanian Orthodox churches, cultural associations, Romanian-language media, and an extensive network of Romanian shops and businesses.
Brexit and the End of Free Movement
Romania's relationship with UK immigration has been uniquely complex. After joining the EU in 2007, Romanian citizens had theoretical free movement rights but faced transitional restrictions on employment in the UK until 1 January 2014. This meant Romanians could only work in the UK under specific schemes (such as the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme) or as self-employed workers. The lifting of restrictions in 2014 led to a surge in Romanian migration.
Brexit ended this free movement:
- EU Settlement Scheme. Romanians in the UK before 31 December 2020 could apply for settled status (after 5 years) or pre-settled status (under 5 years). Over 1 million Romanian and Bulgarian citizens applied to the EUSS.
- New arrivals need a visa. Since 1 January 2021, Romanian citizens must use the standard UK immigration system — Skilled Worker visa, student visa, family visa, or other qualifying routes.
Visa Routes for Romanian Citizens (New Arrivals)
Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker visa is the primary work route. You need a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence at the minimum salary of £38,700. Romanian professionals in healthcare, IT, engineering, and construction are well represented. The visa leads to ILR after 5 years.
Health and Care Worker Visa
Romanian nurses, doctors, and care workers can use the Health and Care Worker visa, a sub-category of the Skilled Worker visa with reduced fees and no IHS requirement. Given the UK's significant healthcare staffing needs, this is an increasingly important route for Romanian health professionals.
Family Visas
If your spouse, partner, or parent has British citizenship or EUSS settled status, you can apply for a spouse visa. The financial requirement is £29,000 annual income. This route is particularly relevant for Romanians joining family members who settled in the UK before Brexit.
Student Visa
The Student visa requires a CAS from a licensed UK institution. Like Polish students, Romanians now pay international tuition fees, which are significantly higher than pre-Brexit home fees. The Graduate route provides 2 years of post-study work permission.
EU Settlement Scheme: Legacy Issues
The EUSS remains highly relevant for Romanians already in the UK:
- Late applications. The Home Office continues to accept late EUSS applications where reasonable grounds exist. Romanian community organisations report that some individuals, particularly those with limited English or digital literacy, missed the deadline and should apply as soon as possible.
- Pre-settled to settled conversion. If you hold pre-settled status, apply for settled status as soon as you complete 5 years' continuous residence. Pre-settled status expires and is not automatically converted.
- CSI (Comprehensive Sickness Insurance) issue. Some Romanians who were self-sufficient (not working) before Brexit were refused settled status because they lacked CSI. Legal challenges have addressed many of these cases, but if you were affected, seek specialist legal advice.
Document Requirements for Romanian Applicants
- Valid Romanian passport. A carte de identitate (Romanian ID card) is no longer sufficient for UK immigration purposes.
- Cazier Judiciar. Criminal record certificate from the Romanian police. Apply at your local secția de poliție or through the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Cost is approximately 2 RON. Issued within 3 to 5 working days.
- Certified English translation. All Romanian-language documents must be translated by a certified translator (traducător autorizat).
- No apostille typically required. Romanian documents are generally accepted without apostille for UK visa applications.
- No TB test. Romania is not on the UK's designated list.
English Language Requirement
Romanian citizens must prove English language ability:
- Skilled Worker: CEFR B1
- Spouse visa (initial): CEFR A1
- Spouse visa (extension): CEFR A2
- ILR: CEFR B1
IELTS for UKVI and LanguageCert tests are available in Bucharest. If you hold a degree taught entirely in English, this may satisfy the requirement.
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Processing Times
Many applicants can use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to submit biometrics digitally. Check your application instructions for whether a VAC visit is required.
- Skilled Worker: 3 to 8 weeks
- Spouse visa: 8 to 24 weeks
- Student visa: 3 to 4 weeks
Financial Evidence in Romanian Leu
- Bank statements. Provide 6 months of statements from Romanian banks (Banca Transilvania, BRD, BCR, ING Romania, Raiffeisen). The Home Office converts RON to GBP at the prevailing rate.
- Spouse visa savings. £16,000 above any income shortfall — approximately 90,000 to 95,000 RON at 2026 exchange rates.
- Student maintenance. £1,334/month (London) or £1,023/month (outside London) for 9 months — approximately 55,000 to 70,000 RON.
- Currency note. The Romanian leu has been relatively stable against the euro (as Romania aims for eurozone accession), which also helps with GBP conversion stability.
Costs for Romanian Applicants
- Skilled Worker visa fee: £719 to £1,500 (approximately 4,000 to 8,500 RON)
- IHS (per year): £1,035 (approximately 5,800 RON)
- English language test: approximately 1,000 to 1,300 RON
- Cazier Judiciar: 2 RON
- Certified translations: approximately 300 to 600 RON
- No TB test cost
For a 3-year Skilled Worker visa with IHS, the total is approximately 22,000 to 35,000 RON. Including budget flights (300 to 2,000 RON) and initial settling costs, budget 30,000 to 50,000 RON. See our UK visa fees guide.
Common Issues for Romanian Applicants
- EUSS confusion. Many Romanians are unsure of their status. If you were in the UK before 31 December 2020 and applied to the EUSS, check your status online using your passport or national identity card. If you did not apply, seek legal advice about a late application.
- Employer sponsorship gap. Romanians working in sectors like agriculture, food processing, and warehousing often find their employers have not obtained sponsor licences. Without sponsorship, you cannot get a Skilled Worker visa for these roles.
- English test preparation. While many younger Romanians speak good English, the formal SELT test requires specific preparation. Focus on the test format and timing, not just general English ability.
- International tuition fees. Romanian students now pay international fees at UK universities — typically £15,000 to £30,000 per year for undergraduate courses, compared to approximately £9,250 when paying home fees before Brexit.
- Pre-settled status management. If you have pre-settled status, track your continuous residence carefully. Absences of more than 6 months in a single 12-month period can break your continuous residence and affect your eligibility for settled status.
Practical Tips for Moving from Romania to the UK
Flights and Arrival
Direct flights from Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, and Iași to London take approximately 3 to 3.5 hours. Wizz Air, Ryanair, TAROM, and Blue Air operate frequent services. Budget airlines make this one of the most affordable routes to the UK, with one-way fares starting from 100 to 200 RON during sales and typically costing 500 to 2,000 RON. London Luton and London Stansted are the most common arrival airports for Romanian budget flights.
Romanian Community in the UK
The Romanian community in the UK is large and growing. East London boroughs (Barking and Dagenham, Newham, Redbridge) have the highest concentrations of Romanian residents. Romanian Orthodox churches across the UK provide both spiritual and community services. Romanian shops, restaurants, and businesses are common in areas with significant Romanian populations. Community organisations like the Romanian Cultural Centre and various regional associations (Transylvanian, Moldovan, etc.) organise events and provide support.
Cultural Adjustment
Romanians generally adapt well to UK life, aided by the large existing community. The weather is milder than Romanian winters but wetter and greyer. Housing costs, especially in London, are the biggest shock — rents in London can consume a very large proportion of income. Many Romanian newcomers initially share accommodation to manage costs. The workplace culture in the UK tends to be less hierarchical than in Romania, which most arrivals welcome.
After Arrival
- Collect your BRP within 10 days
- Apply for a National Insurance number
- Open a UK bank account
- Register with a GP
- Understand your employment rights
Path to Settlement and Citizenship
After 5 years on a qualifying visa, apply for ILR. Meet the continuous residence requirement, pass the Life in the UK test, and demonstrate CEFR B1 English.
After 12 months with ILR, you can apply for British citizenship. Romania permits dual citizenship, so you can hold both Romanian and British passports.
Next Steps
If you are a new arrival seeking work, explore the Skilled Worker visa. If you are joining a partner with EUSS settled status, read the spouse visa guide. If you were in the UK before Brexit, check your immigration status online.
For official information, visit the GOV.UK EU Settlement Scheme page and the GOV.UK Skilled Worker visa page.
This guide is general information, not immigration advice. Immigration rules change frequently. For advice on your specific situation, consult an OISC-registered adviser or immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the latest rules.
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