Increase in the minimum wage in agriculture and the food industry, and maintenance of the minimum wage in construction

Starting from July 1, 2026, the guaranteed minimum base salary for the agricultural and food industry sectors increases from 4,050 lei/month to 4,325 lei/month.

This increase was adopted through the repeal of Article LXX of Emergency Ordinance (OUG) no. 156/2024, which had established, for the agricultural and food sectors starting July 1, 2025, a guaranteed minimum base salary of 4,050 lei/month. Through this measure, wage incomes in the agricultural and food sectors are removed from the scope of special provisions and are aligned with the measures set out in Government Decision (HG) no. 146/2026, published in the Official Gazette of Romania no. 196 of March 13, 2026.

The increase of the guaranteed gross minimum wage is a measure taken periodically, in line with economic developments. This change eliminates the wage disparity that would have existed for employees in the agricultural and food sectors compared to the national guaranteed gross minimum wage, set at 4,325 lei/month starting July 1, 2026.

Employers in the agricultural and food sectors will need to update the salaries of employees who are below the new minimum level by concluding addenda to individual employment contracts and registering the changes in Revisal within the legal deadlines.

Regarding the construction sector, the minimum wage remains set by OUG no. 156/2024, Article LXIX, at 4,582 lei/month, as this level is already higher than the nationally established guaranteed minimum base salary