The Most In-Demand Foreign Languages on the labour market in 2025
In Romania’s evolving job market, speaking a foreign language can open doors to international companies, higher salaries, and faster career growth. Whether you’re just entering the workforce, looking for a career change, or trying to future-proof your skills, foreign languages are no longer just a "nice to have", they’re an essential asset.
As of 2025, more and more employers in Romania are prioritizing multilingual talent, particularly in business services, customer support, tech, finance, and logistics. Here’s a closer look at the languages that are most sought-after and the types of opportunities they can unlock for you.
1. German
German remains one of the most popular foreign language options in the Romanian job market. With strong economic ties between Romania and German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria & Switzerland), it’s no surprise that demand for German-speaking professionals continues to grow.
Where it’s in demand:
- Shared service centers (SSC) and business process outsourcing (BPO)
- Automotive and manufacturing companies
- Finance and procurement
- Logistics and supply chain management
- Tech support and customer care roles
Why it matters: German is considered a "premium language" by many employers. Bilingual roles (German + English) often come with higher salaries, extra benefits, and fast-track career paths. Even intermediate speakers can find solid entry opportunities, with many companies offering language courses as part of their onboarding process.
2. French
French continues to be a staple in the multilingual job market. Thanks to the historical & cultural ties and the strong French business presence (especially in banking, insurance, telecom, and SSCs), demand for French remains consistent year after year.
Where it’s in demand:
- Customer support and client relations
- Banking and finance
- HR and recruitment
- IT helpdesk and technical support
- Consulting and back-office services
Good to know: Many companies opt for candidates with B2+ French knowledge and solid conversational skills in English. French speakers may also benefit from mentorship and training programs within multinational firms like Société Générale, Orange, Capgemini, or Teleperformance.
3. Italian & Spanish
Italian and Spanish are two of the easiest foreign languages for Romanians to learn, due to the linguistic similarities between them. While they don’t usually come with the same salary benefits as German or French, these languages still offer solid job opportunities, especially for entry-level candidates or students.
Where they’re used:
- Call centers and customer service roles
- Travel, tourism, and hospitality
- E-commerce and online retail
- HR and recruitment services
Tip: If you're fluent in both Spanish and English, or Italian and French, your value in the job market can double. Multilingual combinations are increasingly requested in regional support roles.
4. English
While English no longer guarantees a competitive branch on its own, it is still considered the universal business language in Romania. Proficiency in English is a minimum requirement for roles in IT, finance, marketing, HR, and most client-facing positions.
Where it’s a must:
- Tech and software development
- Marketing, PR, and content creation
- Sales and business development
- Start-ups and international companies
- Corporate training, learning & development
What to aim for: If your English is already strong, consider adding a second foreign language to your skill set. The most attractive combinations on the market right now are English + German/French/Dutch/Nordic. If you're a native Romanian Speaker and looking to learn a new language faster, consider opting for Spanish or Italian instead.
5. Nordic Languages
Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish & Danish are among the most in-demand niche languages in Romania. Not a lot of people speak them fluently, which means less competition and higher salaries for those who do.
Top industries hiring Nordic speakers:
- IT support and software troubleshooting
- Finance and compliance
- E-commerce platforms
- Business support centers (often in Bucharest, Timisoara, Cluj, Iasi)
Good to know: Nordic language speakers can earn 25–50% more than peers in the same roles with only English. One of the benefits of speaking a Nordic language is that many companies are willing to hire candidates with basic language skills and offer paid improvement courses.
6. Dutch, Polish, Czech & Other Niche Languages
Less common, but increasingly in demand, are languages like Dutch, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, and even Greek. These are often required in regional SSCs that manage clients across Central and Eastern Europe.
Why they’re valuable: Few speakers = high bargaining power. Companies are often willing to train hires with intermediate-level skills.
How to Stand Out as a Multilingual Candidate in 2025
- Certify your skills – Take language exams (DELF, Goethe, Cambridge, etc.) to prove your level of knowledge.
- Tailor your resume – Highlight not just language fluency, but where you’ve used it: in school, internships, travel, or volunteer work.
- Show cultural awareness – Employers value candidates who understand customer expectations in the country of the language they speak.
- Keep learning – Language platforms like Duolingo, Babbel, and online courses can help you stay sharp or take on a second language quickly.
Next steps for your career
Not sure where to begin? These simple steps can help you put this knowledge into practice:
Not sure where to begin? These simple steps can help you put this knowledge into practice:
- Identify what language you already know (or want to learn) – Think about what aligns with your interests or career goals.
- Browse job sites filtering by language – Use platforms like Hipo.ro and LinkedIn to explore professional opportunities where your foreign language can make you a star employee.
- Update your CV to highlight language proficiency – Include your level, certifications, and any experience using the language you speak.
- Certify your level of proficiency – Consider taking exams such as:
🇬🇧 English
- Cambridge English (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- Linguaskill (by Cambridge – often accepted by employers for fast results)
💡 Recommended for: Tech, business, multinational companies, academic purposes
🇩🇪 German
- Goethe-Zertifikat (A1 to C2 – globally accepted)
- TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache – often used for academic/professional contexts)
- telc Deutsch (popular across the EU, accepted in the workplace)
💡 Recommended for: SSCs, logistics, automotive, finance
🇫🇷 French
- DELF / DALF (official certificates by the French Ministry of Education – levels A1 to C2)
- TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français) – used for general or professional purposes
- TEF (Test d’évaluation de français) – often required for immigration or business purposes
💡 Recommended for: Banking, HR, customer support, corporate roles
🇮🇹 Italian
- CILS (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera) – by the University of Siena
- CELI (Certificato di Conoscenza della Lingua Italiana) – by the University of Perugia
- PLIDA (Progetto Lingua Italiana Dante Alighieri) – recognized by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
💡 Recommended for: Tourism, travel, BPO, entry-level multinational jobs
🇪🇸 Spanish
- DELE (Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera) – by Instituto Cervantes (levels A1 to C2)
- SIELE (Servicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española) – flexible and widely accepted
💡 Recommended for: Customer service, HR, tourism, online retail
🇸🇪 🇩🇰 🇳🇴 🇫🇮 Nordic Languages
(Note: Official testing is less common, and many companies will assess internally or sponsor learning.)
🇸🇪 🇩🇰 🇳🇴 🇫🇮 Nordic Languages
(Note: Official testing is less common, and many companies will assess internally or sponsor learning.)
- Swedish: Swedex (A2–C1), TISUS (Test in Swedish for University Studies)
- Danish: Studieprøven or Prøve i Dansk (PD1–PD3)
- Norwegian: Test i norsk – høyere nivå (Bergenstesten)
- Finnish: YKI (Yleinen kielitutkinto) – National Certificate of Language Proficiency
💡 Recommended for: Tech support, finance, BPO – companies often accept intermediate level plus interview
🇳🇱 Dutch
🇳🇱 Dutch
- CNaVT (Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal) – official test recognized in Belgium and the Netherlands
- NT2 (Staatsexamen Nederlands als tweede taal) – for professional/employment purposes in the Netherlands
🇵🇱 Polish
PaÅ„stwowy Egzamin Certyfikatowy z JÄ™zyka Polskiego jako Obcego – official state exam (B1–C2)
🇨🇿 Czech
CCE (Czech Language Certificate Exam) – provided by the Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies (levels A1–C1)
With the right combination of language skills and career focus, your next big opportunity might be just around the corner.
Final Thoughts
In 2025, speaking a foreign language in Romania doesn’t just improve your job prospects, but it can transform your career path for the better. Whether you're looking for stability, higher salary ranges, or international exposure, investing in language skills is one of the smartest moves you can make for your professional development.
From widely used languages like English and French to high-value options like German, Dutch, or Nordic tongues, the right language can open doors to opportunities that go far beyond borders.
