Welders in Romania join metal parts for ships, steel structures, pipelines, vehicles and machines. The work is found in shipyards on the Danube and the Black Sea, in factories and on building sites. It is skilled manual work, and employers usually test your welding before they hire you.
Demand has been steady for several years. Many Romanian welders have moved to other European countries, so local companies often struggle to fill their workshops. Some of them now hire workers from outside the European Union, inside a yearly limit on new work permits that the government sets.
Pay depends on your welding process, your certificates and the industry. A new welder earns a little above the legal minimum wage, while a certified pipe or shipyard welder can earn much more. Some employers also add meal vouchers, overtime pay or shared housing.
This guide gives an indicative pay range in Romanian lei, the skills and documents employers ask for, and the regions with the most work. It also explains the work permit and visa route in simple steps, and how to apply without being cheated.
Welder Jobs · Romania 2026
🔧 Welding Work in Romania’s Shipyards, Factories and Building Sites
MIG/MAG · TIG · Stick welding roles in Constanța, Galați, Tulcea, Ploiești and Timișoara
See how to apply, step by step ↓
📋 Quick Job Summary
| Job Title | Welder (MIG/MAG, TIG, Stick / Pipe / Structural) |
| Industry | Shipbuilding, Metal Fabrication, Construction, Manufacturing |
| Location | Romania (Constanța, Galați, Tulcea, Ploiești, Timișoara, Bucharest) |
| Experience Required | Usually 1–3 years, proven in a practical welding test |
| Contract Type | Full-Time, fixed-term or permanent |
| Visa Sponsorship | Possible; the employer must obtain a work permit first |
💰 Salary & Benefits Breakdown
| Experience Level | Indicative Gross Pay |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-1 yr) | RON 4,600 – 6,000/month |
| Experienced (2-4 yrs) | RON 6,000 – 8,500/month |
| Senior / Certified Pipe Welder (5+ yrs) | RON 8,500 – 12,000/month |
👔 Top Hiring Employers
- Shipyards and ship repair yards on the Danube and the Black Sea
- Steel structure and metal fabrication workshops
- Pipeline, refinery and energy contractors
- Automotive parts and machinery factories
- Construction and bridge-building companies
- Rail vehicle and heavy equipment makers
🛠️ A Typical Role Involves
- Reading drawings and welding symbols
- Cutting, grinding and preparing metal edges
- Setting up the welding machine, wire and gas
- Welding plates, pipes or frames in different positions
- Checking welds by eye and repairing defects
- Keeping tools and the work area clean and safe
- Following fire, fume and height safety rules
✅ Who Can Apply
- Adults aged 18 or above with trade training or real workshop experience
- Welders skilled in at least one process: MIG/MAG, TIG or stick
- Holders of a welder qualification to a recognised standard, such as ISO 9606, are preferred
- People fit for physical work, sometimes at height or in tight spaces
- Workers with basic English; simple Romanian is a strong advantage
- Non-EU applicants whose employer obtains a Romanian work permit
📄 Documents Required
- Valid passport
- CV listing welding processes, materials and positions
- Trade certificate and any welder qualification certificates
- Experience letters from past employers
- Police clearance certificate from your home country
- Medical certificate showing you are fit for work
- Signed job offer or employment contract
- Passport-size photographs
🎁 Employee Benefits
- Meal Vouchers (many employers)
- Paid Annual Leave
- Social and Health Insurance
- Overtime Pay
- Safety Gear Provided
- Shared Housing (some employers)
📍 Regional Demand Snapshot
| Region | Demand |
|---|---|
| Constanța and Mangalia (Black Sea) | Very High — shipyards and port work |
| Galați, Brăila and Tulcea (Danube) | Very High — shipbuilding and steel |
| Ploiești and Prahova | High — refinery and pipe work |
| Timișoara and Arad | High — automotive and machinery |
| Bucharest and Ilfov | High — construction and fabrication |
| Brașov, Sibiu and Cluj-Napoca | Moderate to High |
📝 How to Apply, Step by Step
- Prepare a skills-based CV List each welding process, the materials and thicknesses you have welded, and the positions you can weld in. Add clear copies of your certificates.
- Search real vacancies Use large Romanian job portals and company careers pages. Search for “sudor”, the Romanian word for welder, to see more results.
- Apply and send proof of work Send your CV with photos or a short video of your welds if the advert asks for them. Give honest details, because they will be tested.
- Take the welding test Employers often ask for a practical trade test, sometimes at a test centre in your own country. An interview about safety and experience may follow.
- Check the written offer Read the gross pay, working hours, overtime rate, housing terms, deductions and contract length. Ask for a copy in a language you understand.
- Work permit, visa and residence The employer applies for your work permit in Romania. You then apply for a long-stay employment visa at a Romanian consulate, and for a residence permit after arrival.
🧭 Life and Work as a Welder in Romania
⏰ Working Hours and Overtime
The standard working week in Romania is 40 hours, usually eight hours a day over five days. Shipyards and factories may run two or three shifts. Overtime must be paid at a higher rate or given back as free time. Your contract should show your shift pattern and your pay rate.
🦺 Safety on the Job
Welding brings risks from heat, sparks, fumes and bright light. Employers must give safety training and protective gear such as a helmet, gloves, boots and a flame-resistant jacket. In shipyards you may work inside closed sections, where ventilation matters a lot. Never start a job if the area looks unsafe.
📜 Certificates and Welding Tests
Many employers ask for a welder qualification to a European standard, and some jobs on pressure pipes or boilers need extra Romanian authorisation. A certificate from another country may not be accepted as it is. In that case the employer usually arranges a new test, and passing it can raise your pay.
🏠 Housing and Cost of Living
Some employers give shared housing near the site, either free or for a fixed deduction from pay. Ask for the amount in writing. Rent and food cost more in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca and Timișoara than in smaller towns such as Tulcea or Brăila, where the same wage goes further.
🗣️ Language at Work
Romanian is the working language in most workshops. Supervisors in larger companies may speak English, and some yards use team leaders who translate. Learning numbers, tool names and safety words in Romanian makes daily work easier and safer. It also helps with shopping, transport and visits to public offices.
📈 Career Growth
Welders who add a second process, learn pipe welding or pass higher qualification tests usually move to better-paid work. With experience, some become team leaders, quality inspectors or welding coordinators. Keep every certificate and test record safe, because they are the main proof of your skill when you change jobs.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can non-EU welders work in Romania?
Yes, if a Romanian employer obtains a work permit for you. Permits are limited by a yearly quota, so approval is not guaranteed.
Do I need a welding certificate?
Most employers prefer one, and almost all will test your welding in practice. A valid qualification to a recognised standard makes your application stronger.
Is Romanian language required?
Not always at the start. Basic English is often accepted, but simple Romanian helps a lot with safety and daily life.
Who applies for the work permit?
The employer applies to the Romanian immigration authority. You apply for the long-stay visa yourself, after the permit is issued.
Is the salary shown gross or net?
Romanian adverts may show either. Always ask which one it is, because net pay is clearly lower than gross pay.
Does a Romanian work permit let me work in other EU countries?
No. It allows work in Romania for the employer named on it. Working in another country needs that country’s own permission.
🔗 Official Sources and Job Portals
- General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI) →
- ANOFM — National Employment Agency →
- Labour Inspection (Inspecția Muncii) →
- eVisa Portal — Ministry of Foreign Affairs →
- eJobs →
- BestJobs →
✍️ Conclusion
Romania offers steady welding work in shipyards, factories and construction, with pay that rises clearly with skill and certificates. The route for non-EU workers is legal but takes time, because it depends on an employer, a work permit and a visa. Prepare your documents well, be ready for a practical test, and confirm every step with official sources.
