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Romania's annual leave
Parental leave in Romania
Adoption leave in Romania
Other types of leave in Romania
Public holidays in Romania
Employee's paid leave in Romania
Romania has well-defined policies on paid leave and time off that support employees during various life events. Each employee is entitled to a minimum of 20 working days of paid annual leave. On the other hand, the sick leave policy allows for up to 180 days of paid leave, with possible extensions under certain circumstances.
Public holidays play a significant role in Romanian labour law, with 15 recognised holidays throughout the year. During these days, employees typically receive paid time off. For those who may need to work on public holidays, compensation options include additional time off or enhanced pay.
Romania also recognises the importance of personal life events by providing options like unpaid leave for various personal matters. Employees can take marriage leave for about 5 days and bereavement leave of 3 days in the event of an immediate family member’s passing.
In this guide, we will provide everything you need to know about leave entitlement in Romania, including the statutory leave benefits, maternity and parental leave, public holidays and more.
Romania's annual leave
Paid time off policy in Romania
The minimum legal entitlement for annual leave is 20 working days per year, as established by the Romanian Labour Code. Employers must provide this time off to full-time employees, although in many cases, companies may offer additional vacation days as part of their benefits package.
If employees cannot take their full entitlement within a calendar year, employers must carry over unused leave into the first six months of the following year. In cases where employees are unable to take this leave due to long-term sickness, the unused leave can be deferred for up to 18 months. However, this must be agreed upon between the employee and the employer. Employees receive a vacation allowance instead of their regular salary during this leave period.
The right to Romania annual leave cannot be waived or replaced by monetary compensation, except in cases where the employment relationship is terminated.
Sick days in Romania
Employees in Romania are also entitled to paid sick leave if they are unable to work due to illness or injury. The Romanian Labour Code grants sick leave for employees with a medical certificate, and the payment is covered partly by the employer for the first five (5) days and thereafter by the state’s social health insurance system.
The duration of sick leave can vary depending on the severity of the illness, but it can be granted for up to 180 days in one year, with possible extensions of up to 90 days in the case of chronic or serious illnesses.
During sick leave, employees receive a benefit amounting to 75% to 100% of their average gross earnings in the previous six months, depending on the nature of the illness or injury.
Public Holidays in Romania
Romania observes a number of public holidays, during which employees are entitled to paid time off. The country currently recognises 15 national public holidays, including religious and national celebrations such as New Year’s Day, Easter, Labor Day, and Romania’s National Day on December 1st.
If employees are required to work on a public holiday, they are entitled to compensatory time off or, in some cases, additional pay.
When public holidays fall on weekends, they usually do not entail any time off for employees.
Parental leave in Romania
There are various leave benefits intended for employees who become parents, helping them balance their family and professional responsibilities. These benefits include maternity leave, paternity leave, and parental leave to provide parents with time off to care for their newborns or young children.
Maternity leave in Romania
To provide support for expectant mothers, Romania grants female employees 126 days of maternity leave, which can be divided into 63 days of prenatal leave and 63 days of postnatal leave. While this period is mandatory to ensure the health and safety of both the mother and the baby, mothers can choose to take more postnatal leave if they did not use the full 63 days of prenatal leave.
The local labour law requires that maternity leave be fully paid. The maternity allowance amounts to 85% of the mother’s average gross monthly income over the last six months before taking leave. The Unique National Fund of Health Insurances or FUNASS covers this payment.
In addition, Romania offers the option of two years of maternity leave for child-rearing purposes (for a third year if the child has a disability), allowing mothers more flexibility to balance work and family life.
Mothers can also take a maternal risk leave to supplement their maternity time off. Also funded by FUNASS, the benefit amounts to 75% of the employee’s average gross earnings over the past six months. This type of leave is different from maternity leave and is specifically available when health risks arise. To apply, employees must submit a formal request to their employer, along with a medical certificate from a doctor confirming the child’s illness.
Paternity leave in Romania
Paternity leave in Romania provides new fathers the opportunity to be present in the early days following their child’s birth. Fathers are entitled to 10 days of paid paternity leave, which can be extended to 15 days if they participate in an infant care course. This benefit ensures that fathers can support their partners and bond with their newborns during the critical initial stages of life.
The paternity leave is paid by the employer at the employee’s regular wage. To qualify for this benefit, the father must take the leave within the first eight weeks after the birth and provide the employer with a birth certificate.
Parental leave in Romania
Parental leave in Romania is available for either parent, providing extended time off for child-rearing. After the maternity leave period ends, either parent can take up to two years of paid parental leave to care for a child until they turn two years old. If the child has a disability, this period can be extended to three years.
The monthly parental leave benefit amounts to 85% of the parent’s average income over the last 12 months, but it is capped at a maximum of 8,500 RON per month, or 1,710 EUR. Parental leave can be taken by either the mother or father. The law encourages both parents to share this time, mandating the second parent to take at least one month of the total parental leave period.
Other protections for parents in Romania
Beyond maternity, paternity, and parental leave, Romanian law provides additional protections and arrangements for parents in the workplace. Parents returning to work after parental leave, for example, have the right to request reduced working hours or flexible working arrangements until the child reaches a certain age. This helps parents adjust to the transition back to work while still attending to their young children’s needs.
In addition, employers in Romania cannot terminate an employee during maternity or parental leave or within six months after the employee returns to work, providing job security during this critical period.
Adoption leave in Romania
In Romania, employees who adopt a child are entitled to adoption leave, similar to the parental leave available for biological parents. This leave allows adoptive parents to take time off work to bond with their new family member and ensure a smooth transition into family life.
Adoption leave requirements in Romania
To qualify for adoption leave, adoptive parents must meet certain conditions set by Romanian labour laws. The key requirement is that the adoption process must be completed and recognised by law. Employees who have adopted a child are entitled to 90 days of adoption leave, which can be taken by either parent. In addition to leave, parents may also request flexible working arrangements to accommodate the child’s needs during the adaptation period.
The adoption process in Romania involves several legal steps, including obtaining court approval, which finalises the adoption and allows parents to claim their rights to leave benefits. This process must comply with Romania’s adoption laws to ensure that the adoption is legally recognised.
Adoption leave pay in Romania
During the adoption leave, adoptive parents are entitled to financial support from the state. The adoption leave benefit amounts to 85% of the employee’s average gross income over the last 12 months.
The benefit is funded through the national social security system, providing peace of mind to parents as they navigate the initial stages of the adoption process.
Other types of leave in Romania
As an employer in Romania, you need to be aware of various leave types available to employees beyond standard vacation and sick leave. Understanding these supplementary leave benefits can help in creating a fair and supportive work environment while remaining compliant with Romanian labour laws.
Unpaid leave in Romania
In addition to paid annual leave, employees in Romania may request unpaid leave for personal reasons. This type of leave is generally granted at the discretion of the employer and is not mandated by law unless otherwise stipulated in the employment contract or collective labour agreement. Unpaid leave allows employees to take time off for extended personal needs without the entitlement to their regular salary during that period.
Employers should carefully review requests for unpaid leave and ensure that clear terms are set in terms of the duration and agreement between both parties. While unpaid leave does not affect an employee’s right to sick leave in Romania, it is important to ensure proper documentation and mutual understanding of leave terms.
Marriage leave in Romania
Marriage leave is another important benefit under Romanian labour law. Employees are entitled to five days of paid leave to celebrate their wedding. This time allows employees to take care of personal matters related to the wedding and enjoy their special occasion without losing their regular income during this period. Additionally, marriage leave is often explicitly included in employment contracts or collective agreements to ensure employees are aware of their entitlements.
Bereavement leave in Romania
In the unfortunate event of a death in the family, employees are granted paid bereavement leave. Romanian labour law generally provides 3 days of leave for the death of immediate family members. This leave allows employees to attend funerals and handle associated arrangements.
Other leave types in Romania
There are other types of leave available in Romania, such ass leave for blood donation, carer’s leave (to assist sick relatives), and judicial leave (to attend legal proceedings). The conditions for these leave types can vary based on individual company policies or collective
Public holidays in Romania
Companies looking to hire workers in Romania must be aware of the country’s public holidays, which are mandated by law. Currently, Romania recognises 15 public holidays during which employees are generally entitled to paid time off. These holidays include major national and religious celebrations, such as:
January 1 and 2
New Year’s Day
May 1
Labor Day
date varies
Easter
June 1
Children's Day
December 1
National Day
December 25 and 26
Christmas
When employees work on a public holiday in Romania, they are entitled to either paid time off or an increased salary, as specified in Romanian labour law.
Some key things to remember for employers include the following:
- Employees are entitled to paid time off on public holidays.
- Compensation applies for those required to work on these days.
- Public holidays that fall on weekends usually do not require time off.
January 1
New Year’s Day
January 2
New Year Holiday
January 6
Epiphany
January 7
Synaxis of St. John the Baptist
January 24
Union of the Romanian Principalities
May 1
Labor Day
May 3
Orthodox Good Friday
May 5
Orthodox Easter Sunday
May 6
Orthodox Easter Monday
June 1
Children’s Day
June 23
Orthodox Whit Sunday
June 24
Orthodox Whit Monday
August 15
Assumption Day
November 30
Feast of Saint Andrew
December 1
Great Union Day
December 25
Christmas Day
December 26
Second Day of Christmas
Protect your employees and your business
As an employer in Romania, you need to understand your employees’ rights and entitlements. But keeping up with them can be a lot of work.
When you hire workers with CXC, we’ll ensure your engagements are in line with all local and national labour laws and regulations. That way, your workers will get their benefits they’re entitled to, and your business will be protected from risks.
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