1980–81 Divizia B

The 1980–81 Divizia B was the 41st season of the second tier of the Romanian football league system.

The format has been maintained to three series, each of them having 18 teams. At the end of the season the winners of the series promoted to Divizia A and the last four places from each series relegated to Divizia C.

To Divizia B
Promoted from Divizia C
 * Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț
 * Borzești
 * CSU Galați
 * IMU Medgidia
 * Sirena București
 * ROVA Roșiori
 * Minerul Lupeni
 * CFR Timișoara
 * Rapid Arad
 * CIL Sighetu Marmației
 * Metalul Aiud
 * Oltul Sfântu Gheorghe

Relegated from Divizia A
 * CS Târgoviște
 * Olimpia Satu Mare
 * Gloria Buzău

From Divizia B
Relegated to Divizia C
 * Muscelul Câmpulung
 * Energia Slatina
 * Unirea Alba Iulia
 * ICIM Brașov
 * Carpați Mârșa
 * Industria Sârmei Câmpia Turzii
 * Energia Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej
 * Chimia Turnu Magurele
 * Someșul Satu Mare
 * Portul Constanța
 * FCM Giurgiu
 * Strungul Arad

Promoted to Divizia A
 * FCM Brașov
 * Progresul Vulcan București
 * Corvinul Hunedoara

Other teams
FC Brăila and Progresul Brăila merged, the second one being absorbed by the first one. FC Brăila was renamed as FCM Progresul Brăila.

Progresul Brăila's vacant place was occupied by Chimia Brăila.

Unirea Focșani and Dinamo Focșani merged, the second one being absorbed by the first one. After the merge, Unirea Focșani was renamed as Unirea Dinamo Focșani.