Increase to the national minimum wage in Romania

At a glance

• The Romanian government recently announced that it has approved an increase to the national minimum wage from RON3,300 to RON3,700 (per month).
• Employers should also be aware of a related measure which is now applicable, requiring employers to increase an employee’s pay to more than the national minimum wage, after two years of service. 

The Romanian government recently announced that it has approved an increase to the national minimum wage from RON3,300 to RON3,700 (approx. EUR750 per month). For full-time employees, who work for an average of 168 hours per month, this equates to RON22.024 per hour (exclusive of any other bonuses). This new minimum wage will apply from 1 July 2024. 

Employers should also consider a related measure which was approved by the government at the end of 2021. Since 1 January 2024, employees have had to receive an increase to their salary if they were only being paid the national minimum wage for the previous 24 months (ie from 1 January 2022).  However, the amount of the increase has not been regulated by law. These employees will also be entitled to the July 2024 increases.