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How to Move to the UK from Romania in 2026: The Complete Guide
Visas, timelines, costs, admin, and what to expect. The full picture — written from lived experience, not a checklist.
Romanians who want to move to the UK in 2026 must apply for a visa before arriving, as free movement between Romania and the UK ended on 31 December 2020, with the new points-based immigration system taking full effect from 1 January 2021.
This guide is the starting point for anyone planning the move. It covers every stage — from choosing the right visa route to what to do in your first week after arriving. Each section links out to the detailed guide for that topic; this page gives you the full picture so you can plan with confidence before you go deeper.
If you are already in the UK and looking for help settling in, see our guide for Romanians living in the UK.
What Changed After Brexit
Before 31 December 2020, Romanians — like all EU citizens — had the right to live and work in the UK without a visa. That right ended with the Brexit transition period. From 1 January 2021, the UK introduced a points-based immigration system that applies equally to all nationalities, including EU citizens.
In practice this means three things for Romanians planning to move:
- You need a visa that matches your purpose — work, study, family, or business
- You must apply before travelling, not on arrival
- Your employer (if you are moving for work) must hold a Home Office sponsor licence
Romanians who were living in the UK before 31 December 2020 and applied for the EU Settlement Scheme are in a different position — they hold settled or pre-settled status and are not affected by the new visa requirements.
If you are visiting the UK for tourism, family visits, or short business trips rather than moving, you need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) costing £20, not a visa. The ETA has been mandatory since 25 February 2026.
Visa Routes Available to Romanians in 2026
There is no single "Romanian moving to the UK" visa — the right route depends entirely on your circumstances. Here are the main options:
For a side-by-side comparison of all routes, see our complete visa options overview for Romanians.
The Skilled Worker visa now requires roles at RQF Level 6 (graduate level) or above for new applications, and the standard salary threshold rose to £41,700 from 22 July 2025. If you are planning a move, check the current requirements at gov.uk before applying — these figures will be reviewed again and may change.
The Skilled Worker Visa — What Most Romanians Use
The Skilled Worker visa is the main route for employed professionals moving to the UK. To qualify, you need three things: a confirmed job offer from a UK employer with a Home Office sponsor licence, a role coded at RQF Level 6 or above, and a salary meeting both the general threshold (£41,700 from 22 July 2025) and the specific going rate for your occupation code — whichever is higher.
Your employer must be on the government's list of licensed sponsors. Not every UK employer is licensed — the list has around 90,000 sponsors but many smaller businesses are not on it. If a UK company wants to hire you and is not currently licensed, they can apply, but this takes time and adds cost to the process.
Once your employer confirms a role, they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which you include in your visa application. The visa application fee for most Skilled Worker cases is £719 for up to three years, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 per year). See our detailed Skilled Worker visa guide for Romanians for the full application process.
How Long Does the Process Take?
Realistically, budget 8 to 20 weeks from deciding to move to arriving in the UK. The visa application itself takes 3 to 8 weeks once you have a Certificate of Sponsorship. What takes the most time in practice is finding a licensed sponsor and securing a confirmed job offer.
- Research and job search — 4 to 12 weeks. Finding a role at a licensed sponsor paying the threshold salary is the longest stage for most people.
- Certificate of Sponsorship issued — 1 to 2 weeks after your employer confirms the offer and assigns the CoS from their Home Office allocation.
- Gather supporting documents — 1 to 2 weeks. English language proof, qualifications, financial evidence, TB test results if required.
- Submit visa application — 1 day. Online application + biometrics appointment at a Visa Application Centre in Romania.
- Decision received — typically 3 to 8 weeks for standard processing; priority service (additional cost) typically 5 working days.
- Travel and arrival — collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from a Post Office within 10 days of arriving.
For a month-by-month breakdown, see our guide on how long it realistically takes to move to the UK from Romania.
How Much Does It Cost?
The honest answer is: more than most people budget for. Beyond the visa fee, there is the Immigration Health Surcharge, flights, the first month's rent deposit, and setup costs. Many employers cover some or all of the visa fee — always ask before applying, especially for senior roles.
| Cost item | Approximate amount |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker visa fee (up to 3 years) | £719 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (3 years) | £3,105 (£1,035/year) |
| Biometrics and application centre fee | ~£80–£120 |
| Flights (Bucharest–London one-way) | £80–£300 |
| Rental deposit (typically 5 weeks' rent) | £1,500–£3,500 |
| First month's living costs | £800–£1,500 |
| Minimum bank savings required by UKVI | £1,270 (held for 28 days) |
| Realistic total range | £5,000–£12,000 |
For a detailed breakdown including costs for dependants, see our full cost guide for Romanians moving to the UK.
Bringing Family With You
If you are moving on a Skilled Worker visa, your partner and children under 18 can apply as dependants. There is a salary threshold for bringing a partner: you must earn at least £29,000 per year (rising incrementally — check current rules at gov.uk before applying). Each dependant pays their own visa fee and IHS.
Romanians in roles on the Temporary Shortage List (which replaced the Immigration Salary List from July 2025 for most shortage occupations) face additional restrictions — dependants are generally not permitted for new entrants on that list. This is a significant practical constraint if your route relies on a shortage occupation below RQF Level 6.
For the full picture on partner and child visas alongside a Skilled Worker visa, see our family visa guide for Romanians.
What to Do After You Arrive
The first two weeks after arriving are admin-heavy. The order matters — some tasks depend on others being done first. The key priorities are:
- Collect your BRP from the Post Office named in your visa approval letter — you have 10 days from arrival
- Register with a GP — do this immediately, you do not need a permanent address or NHS number to register
- Apply for a National Insurance number online at gov.uk — free, and you need it before your employer can process payroll correctly
- Open a UK bank account — most banks require proof of address, which can be a challenge before you have settled. See our guide for accounts that accept new arrivals
- Register with your local council for Council Tax once you have a settled address
Our post-move cluster covers all of this in detail, starting with the first 30 days in the UK guide for Romanians.
Qualifications and Professional Recognition
Romanian university degrees and professional qualifications are not automatically recognised in the UK after Brexit. For regulated professions — doctors, nurses, architects, lawyers, engineers — you must apply to the relevant UK regulatory body before you can practise. Each body has its own process, timeline, and fees.
For most non-regulated roles, a degree from a Romanian university is accepted by UK employers without a formal recognition process, though it may need to be accompanied by an English translation and an Ecctis statement of comparability for visa purposes.
See our profession-by-profession guide: Romanian qualifications recognition in the UK.
Do You Need an ETA Before Your Visa?
If you are coming to the UK for a job interview, to sign a contract, or to scout locations before your visa is granted, you will need an ETA — not a visa — for that visit, as long as the trip is under six months. The ETA costs £20, is linked to your passport, and is usually approved within hours of applying through the official UK ETA app or gov.uk.
Once your Skilled Worker visa is granted and you travel on it, the ETA is no longer relevant — your visa covers your entry. See our full UK ETA guide for Romanian citizens for details on who needs one and who is exempt.
Making the Move
Moving to the UK from Romania in 2026 is more structured than it was before Brexit, but it is entirely manageable with the right information. The points-based system is rules-driven and transparent — if your circumstances meet the requirements, the visa will be granted. The most common reasons applications fail are mismatched salary figures, unlicensed sponsors, and incomplete supporting documents, not immigration policy itself.
The process is also longer and more expensive than many people expect when they first look into it. The salary thresholds have risen substantially in the past two years, and the minimum skill level requirement now excludes some roles that were previously eligible. These are genuine constraints, and it is worth being honest about your specific situation before committing to the process.
Use the guides linked throughout this page to go as deep as you need on each topic — and always verify the current requirements at gov.uk/check-uk-visa before making any application, because immigration rules change and what was true last year may not be true today.
Disclaimer: This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. UK immigration rules change frequently — always verify current requirements at gov.uk before making any application. Last reviewed April 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Romanians can move to the UK but must apply for a visa before arriving. Free movement ended on 31 December 2020. The most common route for employed professionals is the Skilled Worker visa, which requires a job offer from a licensed UK sponsor paying at least £41,700 per year (from 22 July 2025) in a role at RQF Level 6 or above.
The right visa depends on your circumstances. Employed professionals typically apply for the Skilled Worker visa. Healthcare workers have access to the Health and Care Worker visa. Family members of people already in the UK can apply for a Family visa. Students apply for the Student visa. Each route has different eligibility requirements, salary thresholds, and costs — check gov.uk before applying.
Realistically, 8 to 20 weeks from deciding to move to arriving in the UK, depending on your visa route and how quickly you secure a job offer. The Skilled Worker visa application itself typically takes 3 to 8 weeks once a Certificate of Sponsorship is issued. Finding a sponsored employer is usually what takes the most time.
Total costs typically range from £5,000 to £12,000, covering visa fees (£719 for most Skilled Worker applications), the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 per year), flights, and the first month's rental deposit and living costs. Some employers cover part or all of the visa fees — always ask before applying.
Yes, for short visits of up to six months. The UK ETA costs £20 (from 8 April 2026), is valid for two years, and has been mandatory since 25 February 2026. Romanians with settled or pre-settled status, a UK visa, or Indefinite Leave to Remain do not need an ETA. Apply only through gov.uk or the official UK ETA app.
The first priorities are: collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from a Post Office within 10 days, register with a GP, open a UK bank account, and apply for a National Insurance number online at gov.uk. The NI number application is free. Your employer needs it before they can process payroll correctly.
Yes, in most cases. Partners and children under 18 can join you as dependants on a Skilled Worker visa, provided your salary meets the dependant threshold (at least £29,000 per year for a partner). Romanians on Temporary Shortage List roles may face restrictions on bringing dependants. Check the current rules at gov.uk before applying.
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