Romania could join the EU as early as January 2007

The British government has hinted it may restrict Romanians' and Bulgarians' right to work in the UK once the two nations join the EU.

Critics have warned that too many migrants from those countries, coming to seek a higher standard of living would put pressure on services in the UK such as housing and welfare.

The BBC asked three Romanians about the potential restrictions on working abroad.

They admit working in Britain would be financially beneficial, but suggest that many Romanians may follow a long trodden path to Italy or Spain rather than go to the UK.

Dan Grigorescu, 21, who is studying marketing and international relationships, is keen to sample life abroad.

For most people working abroad in London would represent a huge opportunity because you could earn a lot more money than here in Romania Elvis Oltean, Romanian businessman

He said: "In order to achieve, you have to start from the bottom. The thing that worries me is that the people who don't deserve it get to go."

Mr Grigorescu also explained why people wanted to come to the UK.

He said: "The basic reason is because of the larger salary."

He believed that those who did leave Romania would possibly return if they left family behind.

British nationalism

He said: "The British are nationalistic as we all know. They [employers] might have problems employing Romanian, Polish or Bulgarian people. And, if they employ them, their skills may not fit the job. Probably people think it is OK to give them a lower wage than normal UK citizens."

But Mr Grigorescu said that he was ready to face discrimination.

"I am prepared, I am expecting it," he said.

However, he expressed sympathy with those in the UK who feared large numbers of people arriving following any potential accession.

'Better lifestyle'

"I think it is understandable if a lot of refugees or immigrants would come to Romania. I myself would have a thing to say in regard of this."

Mr Grigorescu said that, in such a situation, he would expect limits to be brought in.

Emil Barbulescu, a 34 year old from Bucharest who is currently unemployed, said that even if he was paid less than a Briton it would still give him "a better lifestyle" if he lived in the UK.

Mr Barbulescu, who speaks four languages, said: "I would be prepared to accept any job that I would be able to do."

Cost of living

Describing the situation in Romania, he said: "It is catastrophic. The cost of living goes up and up. I am poor. I have no chance, no chance at all. Unless I am related to someone important I have no chance of getting a good job (in Romania)."

On the possibility of restrictions, he said: "I am not happy. I do not see the logic.

"The worst thing I can do is not get a job and come home."

Mr Barbulescu said he understood the concerns of British people and knew that not everyone would be welcoming.

He suggested that some would stay in Romania because of nationalist pride in their country.

Elvis Oltean, a 32-year-old businessman from Bucharest, is another Romanian considering foreign fields.

'Huge opportunity'

He said: "If I am offered a job, it is a possibility. I would like to work abroad.

"For most people working abroad in London would represent a huge opportunity because you could earn a lot more money than here in Romania."

But he said many Romanians worked in Italy and Spain. Romanian, he explained, was a Latin language, which had similarities with Italian and Spanish.

Mr Oltean added: "The people are alike too. People in Romania perceive German and English as a little bit more cold."

However, Mr Oltean was also against the idea of restricting the movement of Romanian workers to the UK.

He said: "It is against the spirit of the European Union. If the British really want the European Union they should accept both the disadvantages and advantages."

Romanians are particularly skilled in maths, physics and IT programming, he added.