Parental leave in Romania (2026)

Last reviewed: 7 November 2026

In short: Maternity leave is 126 days (63 before and 63 after the birth), paid at 85% of the calculation base. Fathers have 10 working days of paid leave. Dismissal is barred during pregnancy and during maternity, childcare and paternal leave.

RuleWhat applies
Maternity leaveTaking parental leaveInsured women have 126 calendar days of pregnancy and confinement leave: 63 days before and 63 days after the birth. The two parts can be offset against each other on medical advice, but at least 42 calendar days after the birth are compulsory. [1]
Paternity leaveTaking parental leaveAn employed father has 10 working days of paid paternity leave, requested in the first 8 weeks after the birth. It rises by 5 working days if he has a childcare (puericultură) course certificate. [2]
Parental leaveTaking parental leavePeople with at least 12 months of taxable income in the 2 years before the birth are entitled to leave to raise a child up to 2 years old (3 years for a child with a disability). The consolidated text reserves at least one month of the leave to the parent who did not ask for it first. [3]
Pay during leaveTaking parental leaveMaternity allowance is 85% of the calculation base set in Article 10, paid from the health insurance fund. Paternity leave is paid at the salary for that period from the employer's salary fund. The child-raising allowance is 85% of average net income over 12 months of the last 2 years before the birth, with a minimum of 2.5 times the social reference indicator and a maximum of 8,500 lei. [1]
Job protectionTaking parental leaveAn employee cannot be dismissed while pregnant (if the employer knew before issuing the dismissal), during maternity leave, during leave to raise a child up to 2 years (3 for a child with a disability), or during paternal leave. The ban does not apply to dismissal on reorganisation, bankruptcy or dissolution of the employer. [4]

Notes

  • The one-month reserved period is as worded in the consolidated text dated 19 September 2023, the latest version on the portal when read.
  • The amount limits can change with the national minimum wage and social indicators, so they are quoted as in the consolidated text on the portal.

Sources

  1. Ministerul Justiției (Portal Legislativ): ORD DE URGENTA (A) 158 17/11/2005 - Portal Legislativ (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  2. Ministerul Justiției (Portal Legislativ): LEGE (A) 210 31/12/1999 - Portal Legislativ (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  3. Ministerul Justiției (Portal Legislativ): ORD DE URGENTA (A) 111 08/12/2010 - Portal Legislativ (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  4. Ministerul Justiției (Portal Legislativ): CODUL MUNCII 24/01/2003 - Portal Legislativ (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.