At a glance
- Romania has introduced temporary adjustments to the sick‑leave indemnity for medical certificates issued between 1 February 2026 and 31 December 2027.
- Under the new rules, the first day of sick leave will not be paid, with employers covering days two to six and the state covering the indemnity from day seven onward.
- These temporary provisions will be clarified further through secondary legislation expected to be issued in due course.
- Separately, from 31 December 2025, authorities have strengthened controls over sick‑leave certificates, enabling verification of both their merits and legality.
- If a certificate is found to have been issued in breach of legal requirements, the insured person will lose entitlement to the sick‑leave indemnity.
Romania has introduced temporary amendments to its sick‑leave framework, affecting both the calculation of the sick‑leave indemnity and the verification of medical certificates. For sick‑leave certificates issued between 1 February 2026 and 31 December 2027, a new set of temporary rules will apply. Under these provisions, the first day of sick leave will no longer be paid, while employers will remain responsible for covering the indemnity from days two to six of the medical leave, unless specific exceptions apply. From day seven onward, the indemnity will be covered by the state but continued to be paid by the employer, again subject to the exceptions provided by law. Additional secondary legislation is expected to clarify the implementation of these temporary measures.
Separately, as of 31 December 2025, the legislative framework governing sick‑leave certificates has been strengthened to enhance oversight. Competent authorities may now verify sick leaves both on the merits and for compliance with legal requirements, either at the employer’s request or on their own initiative. If, following such verification, the issuing of a medical certificate is found to be non‑compliant with legal provisions, the insured person will no longer be entitled to receive the related sick‑leave indemnity. Further guidance on the practical application of these control mechanisms is also expected.
