Romania is Europe’s best-kept business secret
I am writing this article because Romania is still a good destination for the next 10 years. I started in 2003 in Romania and even today it is for me the number one destination in Europe for Belgian and Dutch investors.
A growing number of Belgian and Dutch entrepreneurs are looking beyond their home markets to stay competitive. In 2026, Romania continues to stand out as one of the most attractive destinations for companies seeking growth, talent, and operational efficiency.
What started years ago as a destination primarily associated with outsourcing has evolved into something much bigger. Today, Romania is becoming a strategic hub for international businesses that want to scale without compromising on quality.
For many SMEs in Belgium and the Netherlands, the decision is driven by a simple reality: finding qualified employees has become increasingly difficult, while labor costs continue to rise. Romania offers a practical solution that combines affordability with access to highly skilled professionals.
A cost advantage that makes a real difference
Let’s face it: employing staff in Western Europe has become expensive.
Between wage indexation, social security contributions, employee benefits, company cars, and increasing salary expectations, the total cost of employment in Belgium and the Netherlands has risen significantly over the past few years.
A qualified administrative employee in Belgium can easily cost an employer more than €4,500 per month. In Romania, a professional with similar qualifications and experience may cost between €1,500 and €2,500 per month, depending on the role, location, and language requirements.
The difference becomes even more substantial when building larger teams in areas such as customer service, accounting, recruitment, IT support, engineering, or back-office administration.
Romanian employment packages are generally simpler as well. Benefits remain attractive but are typically less extensive than those offered in Western Europe, and company cars are usually reserved for specific management or sales functions.
For SMEs, these savings can be reinvested directly into growth, innovation, marketing, and business development.
Skilled people are Romania’s greatest asset
Cost is often the initial reason companies explore Romania, but it is rarely the reason they stay.
What truly surprises many Belgian and Dutch business owners is the quality of the Romanian workforce.
Every year, Romanian universities produce thousands of graduates in engineering, IT, finance, business administration, logistics, and foreign languages. The country’s education system has built a strong reputation for producing technically skilled and adaptable professionals.
Language skills are another major advantage. Many Romanians speak English fluently, while French, German, Italian, Spanish, and even Dutch speakers can often be found in larger cities and international business environments.
Companies are frequently impressed by the professionalism, commitment, and flexibility of Romanian employees. The talent available today is one of the main reasons international organizations continue to expand their presence in the country.
An ideal location for shared service centers
Romania has become one of Europe’s leading destinations for shared services and business support operations.
Finance departments, HR teams, customer support centers, recruitment hubs, procurement functions, and IT service desks are now successfully operating from Romanian cities and supporting businesses across Europe.
For SMEs, this presents a significant opportunity.
Rather than struggling to recruit expensive and hard-to-find talent locally, companies can establish dedicated teams in Romania that seamlessly support their Belgian or Dutch operations.
At PBS Worldwide, we have been helping international companies achieve exactly this since 2003. We assist clients with company formation, recruitment, staffing solutions, payroll, and complete HR support services, allowing them to build successful teams in Romania without unnecessary complexity.
As an EU member state, Romania also offers the reassurance of regulatory alignment, GDPR compliance, and a familiar legal framework. Combined with excellent internet infrastructure and widespread adoption of remote working, managing Romanian teams has never been easier.
Strategic location, easy access
Romania’s geographical position offers another important advantage.
Situated at the crossroads of Central and Eastern Europe, the country provides easy access to both Western European and regional markets.
Major cities such as Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, Iasi, Brasov, and Craiova are well connected through international airports, while ongoing infrastructure investments continue to improve road and rail connections.
Direct flights between Romania, Belgium, and the Netherlands operate several times each week, making business travel simple and efficient.
Management teams can visit their Romanian operations regularly while maintaining close contact with local staff and partners.
A growing economy with long-term potential
Despite economic challenges across Europe, Romania continues to demonstrate impressive resilience and growth.
The country remains one of the European Union’s fastest-growing economies and continues to attract significant foreign investment. Major projects in technology, manufacturing, renewable energy, logistics, and infrastructure are helping to strengthen Romania’s position as a regional business hub.
For investors and entrepreneurs, Romania offers something increasingly valuable: growth opportunities combined with stability.
EU membership provides confidence, legal certainty, and access to the world’s largest single market, making Romania an attractive long-term business destination.
More than cost savings: Building for the future
The companies achieving the greatest success in Romania are not simply chasing lower costs.
They view Romania as a long-term strategic partner.
Many Belgian and Dutch SMEs start by hiring one or two employees to support specific business functions. As confidence grows, these small teams often expand into larger operations that become an integral part of the company’s future growth.
This gradual approach reduces risk while allowing businesses to experience the benefits of the Romanian market firsthand.
Conclusion
Romania has evolved far beyond its reputation as an outsourcing destination.
Today, it offers Belgian and Dutch SMEs a powerful combination of affordability, talent, stability, and growth potential. Competitive employment costs, multilingual professionals, strong educational institutions, modern infrastructure, and EU membership continue to make Romania one of Europe’s most attractive business destinations.
As labor shortages and operational costs continue to challenge businesses across Western Europe, more companies are discovering that Romania provides a practical and sustainable path to expansion.
For entrepreneurs looking ahead, establishing a presence in Romania may well be one of the smartest business decisions they make in 2026 and beyond.
Interested in exploring Romania?
Whether you’re considering hiring your first Romanian employee, opening a shared service center, or establishing a local company, expert guidance can save time, reduce risks, and accelerate results.
The opportunities are there for companies willing to seize them.
Contact PBS Worldwide today:
+32 478 331 799
frjacobs@telenet.be
SOME INTERESTING LINKS:
My Vlog on Romania Website on investment in Romania
Quick guide on company incorporation in Romania 2025
Vlog for entrepreneurs in Romania – subscribe please YOUTUBE CHANNEL of Freddy Jacobs
Romania’s Fiscal Changes for 2026