Consequences for travelling, work permits etc.
From August 2007 it has become easier for Romanian citizens to apply for Norwegian work permits etc. At the same time it has become easier for Norwegian citizens to work and reside in Romania.
For Romanian citizens
Romanian citizens may apply for a residence permit (i.e. on the basis of taking up a job in Norway or for family reasons) under the rules applicable to EEA-citizens, but there are some transitional rules which apply to Romanian and Bulgarian citizens: http://www.udi.no/Norwegian-Directorate-of-Immigration/Central-topics/Work-and-residence/Work-and-residence-EUEEAEFTA-citizens/Employees-from-new-EU-countries-transitional-rules/ .
In practical terms that implies that Romanian citizens are allowed to stay, without working, in Norway for up to 3 months without any permit, or up to 6 months if searching for a job. Before taking up any job, it is necessary to obtain a residence permit (i.e. on the basis of a job). Romanian citizens may apply for such a permit at the police station in Norway in the district where the employer is located. Alternatively the application may be delivered to the Norwegian Embassy in Bucharest (which will forward it to Norway for processing). It is necessary to have a work contract/job offer to obtain a permit that allows you to work in Norway. Such a work permit qualifies for earning time with a view to apply for a permanent residence permit. Further information, application forms etc are available on the pages of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), please follow links for EEA citizens, transitional rules for Romanian and Bulgarian citizens http://www.udi.no/Norwegian-Directorate-of-Immigration/Central-topics/Work-and-residence/Work-and-residence-EUEEAEFTA-citizens/Employees-from-new-EU-countries-transitional-rules/ .
For Norwegian citizens
Norwegian citizens in Romania are to be treated according to the conditions applicable to EU/EEA citizens. Norwegian citizens may stay and work in Romanian for up to 3 months without any permits or registrations. For stays longer than 3 months, there is no longer a need for applying for a work/residence permit, but it is required to register with the Authority for Aliens (Oficiul Român pentru Imigrări). For further information, please consult the web pages of Authority for Aliens.