Medical leave 2026-2027

Starting February 1, 2026, and until the end of 2027, an important change regarding sick leave will come into force in Romania, through Government Emergency Ordinance No. 91/2025. This ordinance changes the rules for paying sick leave benefits, with the stated aim of reducing abuse and “fictitious” sick leave.

The most noticeable change is that the first day of sick leave will no longer be paid at all. If you receive a medical certificate for a common illness, the benefit will be calculated and paid minus one day. This “lost” day does not affect your seniority or your status as an insured person in the health system, but it means that you will receive money for one day less than the days spent on sick leave.

In addition, there is a clear division of costs for common sick leave (not for work accidents, occupational diseases, or certain exceptions):

• The employer (company) pays the allowance for days 2–6 of illness.
• From the 7th day onwards, payment is transferred to the National Health Insurance House (from the social health insurance fund). For those who are fully covered by the National Single Social Health Insurance Fund (FNUASS) budget, the first day is not paid.
• Important exception: people in isolation (e.g., for epidemiological reasons) are not subject to the first day unpaid rule.

To combat possible abuse, the authorities have introduced stricter controls. The Health Insurance House can verify the legality and validity of any sick leave—either ex officio or at the employer’s request. Medical documents are analyzed to determine whether the duration of the leave is justified and whether the certificate has been completed correctly. If serious irregularities are found, the person may lose their right to compensation for that leave, and the doctor who issued it risks disciplinary sanctions from the Medical Association.