Understanding Employee Leave Entitlements in Romania

Romanian labor law provides comprehensive leave benefits for employees, balancing statutory requirements with practical workforce needs. As an international HR professional, understanding these regulations is crucial for maintaining compliance and supporting employee well-being.

Annual Leave Provisions

Romanian employees are entitled to a minimum of 20 working days of paid annual leave, with specific provisions for various employment circumstances. The legal framework ensures adequate rest periods while maintaining operational continuity.

Employees on temporary disability leave receive 18 months of annual leave entitlement following their sick leave period
Cash compensation for unused leave is permitted only upon contract termination
Additional three-day leave benefits apply to workers in hazardous conditions, visually impaired individuals, persons with disabilities, and employees under 18
Leave allowances must equal or exceed regular compensation and be paid at least five working days before vacation commencement

Maternity Leave Framework

Pregnant employees can access up to 126 calendar days of maternity leave, with 63 days allocated pre-delivery and 63 days post-delivery. Medical certification determines the exact start date, with 42 days preceding birth being mandatory.

Eligibility requirements for maternity benefits include:

Legal residency in Romania
Co-habitation with the child/children for whom benefits are claimed
Minimum six months of social security contributions within the 12 months preceding leave

Benefits equal 85% of the mother's average monthly income from the six months before leave, with provisions applying even in cases of stillbirth. These allowances are tax-exempt.

Maternity Risk Leave

This specialized leave category protects pregnant or postpartum employees when workplace conditions pose health risks. Based on medical recommendation, employees can access up to 120 days of maternity risk leave with 75% salary compensation.

Parental Leave Regulations

Employees with 12 months of taxable income and social security contributions preceding childbirth qualify for two years of parental leave. For children with severe disabilities, this extends to three years. Benefits include 85% of average monthly salary or minimum 600 Romanian Leu social security payments.

Paternity Leave Benefits

Fathers receive 10 working days of paternity leave, extendable to 15 days upon completion of childcare courses. Compensation matches regular salary and is social security-funded, with no limitations based on number of children.

Sick Leave Provisions

Employees with social security coverage can access up to 183 days of sick leave annually, extendable by 90 days. Employers cover the first five days, with social security assuming subsequent payments. Medical certification within five days of illness onset is mandatory.

Additional Leave Categories

Romanian labor law provides several specialized leave types:

Care leave: Five working days annually for serious family medical needs
Bereavement leave: Two unpaid days for immediate family loss
Marriage leave: Five days for personal marriage, two days for child's marriage
Blood donation leave: One paid day per donation
Emergency leave: Up to 10 working days annually with mutual employer-employee agreement on time compensation

Public Holidays in Romania

Romania observes 17 national holidays totaling 19 days in 2025. Employees receive paid time off unless operational requirements mandate work, in which case compensatory leave or 100% premium pay applies within 30 days.

Holiday	2025 Date
New Year's Day	January 1-2
Epiphany	January 6
Orthodox Christmas	January 7
Unification Day	January 24
Orthodox Easter	April 18-21
Labor Day	May 1
Children's Day	June 1
Orthodox Pentecost	June 8-9
Assumption Day	August 15
St. Andrew's Day	November 30
National Day	December 1
Christmas	December 25-26

SailGlobal provides comprehensive leave management solutions for businesses operating in Romania, ensuring accurate calculation of entitlements and full regulatory compliance.

Romania Employee Leave Guide 2025: Annual, Maternity & Sick Leave Regulations