Amid a major labor shortage, estimated at over 300,000 people, the market for premium domestic services in Romania is growing rapidly. In 2025, over 100,000 foreign workers were legally brought into the country, and by 2026, a real need of at least double this quota is estimated. Among the most sought-after workers now are personal chefs from Asia, who turn Romanians' homes into veritable private restaurants.
The Romanian labor market is changing visibly, and in the last year there has been an interesting trend in the premium services segment: More and more wealthy families are choosing to hire personal chefs from Asiaknown internationally as personal chefs.
Recruitment agency, Work from Asia, reports a significant increase in applications for Asian staff specializing in fine dining and luxury domestic services. These professionals provide families in Romania with personalized menus and bring the restaurant experience straight home.
Romanians with financial means increasingly want comfort and authentic culinary experiences right in their own home. Asian personal chefs are highly trained, disciplined and have a vast culinary culture, even if they come from Philippines, Indonesia or NepalMost have international experience and know how to prepare both Asian and European dishes. They adapt quickly to the tastes and lifestyles of the families they work with.
Yosef Gavriel PeisakhGeneral Manager Work from Asia
The agency's leader adds that Asian chefs are distinguished by a high level of professionalism, discipline and a culinary culture shaped by years of study and experience in international kitchens.
"These professionals have often worked in top restaurants, luxury hotels or private residences in the Middle East, Europe and Southeast Asia. For many of our clients, having a personal chef is no longer a luxury, but a form of work-life balance," emphasizes Peisakh.
These employees are carefully and rigorously selected based on their skills, experience and ability to work in demanding environments.
"In the area of domestic staff, we frequently recruit maids, nannies, carers for the elderly and personal drivers, discreet, responsible and dedicated people. In parallel, more and more requests are coming in for skilled workers: cooks, kitchen helpers, pastry chefs, confectioners, jewelers, chef staff and truck drivers. Each candidate goes through a comprehensive assessment process, which includes testing practical skills and checking previous experience," says Peisakh.
According to official data, in 2025 the quota of foreign workers approved for Romania was 100,000 people, but the applications submitted to the General Inspectorate for Immigration exceeded 230,000, a sign that the real market need is much higher. The HoReCa sector, construction and domestic services remain among the hardest hit.
Romania will have a smaller quota of foreign workers admitted in Romania in 2026
Recall that the Romanian Government has decided to decrease the quota of newly admitted foreign workers from non-EU markets in 2026. The Minister of Labor justified this decision on the grounds that a wave of layoffs is coming in 2026 and jobs are needed for Romanians who remain unemployed.
"I am not an opponent of those people because they pay taxes and work honestly in this country. At the same time, however, given that the National Institute of Statistics has told us, among other things, that there is a possibility of a certain number of layoffs next year, I thought it appropriate to anticipate these social problems, in anticipation of these problems, in the end, to have as many jobs as possible available for Romanian citizens", said Petre Florin Manole, Minister of Labor, at the Digi24.
