This page explains the restrictions on Bulgarian and Romanian nationals taking employment in the United Kingdom.

If you are a Bulgarian or Romanian national you are free to come to the United Kingdom to live. You will need to be able to support yourself and your family in the United Kingdom without becoming an unreasonable burden on public funds.

If you want to work as an employee in the United Kingdom you will need permission from the Home Office before you start work. Details of the type of work you can take and how to apply for permission to work can be found in the Bulgarian and Romanian nationals section.

Once you have been working legally as an employee in the United Kingdom for 12 months without a break you will have full rights of free movement and will no longer need permission from the Home Office to take work. You can then get a registration certificate confirming your right to live and work in the United Kingdom, although you are not obliged to do so. You do not need permission from the Home Office if you are working in a self-employed capacity. However, you can apply for a registration certificate to confirm your right to work as a self-employed person in the United Kingdom if you wish.

If you are a student in the United Kingdom, you may take employment for up to 20 hours a week during term time and full-time work during vacation periods from your course but you must first obtain a registration certificate confirming that you are a student.