European mobility managers and corporate compliance officers must immediately audit documentation for foreign assignees in Central and Eastern Europe. Over the past 24 hours, regulatory updates from Hungary’s National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing (OIF) and Romania’s Ministry of Labour have established mandatory new digital portal filings and physical document replacement deadlines.
Hungary Mandates Physical Replacement for Legacy EU Residence Cards
In accordance with EU-wide biometric security alignment standards, Hungary’s OIF announced that permanent residence cards issued between August 3, 2016, and August 2, 2021, to family members of EEA citizens and third-country family members of Hungarian citizens will officially cease to be valid on August 3, 2026.
Holders of these cards will not receive automatic rollover validity. Instead, affected foreign nationals must submit formal applications for a newly formatted Hungarian residence permit prior to the August 3 cut-off date to avoid gaps in lawful residence, employment authorization, and Schengen travel rights.
Romania Activates WorkInRomania Portal for Shortage Verification
Concurrently, the Romanian Ministry of Labour published operational methodologies under Government Emergency Ordinance (GEO) 32/2026. Employers seeking to sponsor non-EU foreign nationals under the 90,000 annual worker quota must now submit vacancy and recruitment verification evidence through the official WorkInRomania digital platform.
The platform introduces an updated Shortage Occupations List covering critical roles—including cooks, electricians, mechanics, professional drivers, welders, and masons—ensuring that D/AM2 work visa processing is tied directly to verified domestic labor deficits.
Documentation & Compliance Matrix
| Jurisdiction | Legacy Documentation Standard | Mandatory 2026 Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Hungary (OIF) | 2016–2021 issued permanent residence cards. | Must re-apply for new residence title before August 3, 2026. |
| Romania (Labour) | Paper-based local agency filing proofs. | Digital verification via WorkInRomania portal. |
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