The Government has drafted a Government Decision amending and supplementing the methodological rules for applying Law no. 76/2002 on the unemployment insurance system and the promotion of employment, with a view to implementing Government Emergency Ordinance no. 11/2026. The key change is the introduction of the stability bonus, a monthly benefit that is tax-free and exempt from social contributions, granted to young people registered with employment agencies who are entering the workforce for the first time in a full-time, permanent position, in the amount of RON 1,000/month for the first 12 months, and RON 1,250/month for the following 12 months. This benefit must be claimed within 60 days of the hire date (statute of limitations) and is suspended during periods when the employment relationship is terminated or suspended, although it may be continued if the individual is rehired by another employer within 60 days.
The draft also expands the list of categories of unemployed persons for whom employers can receive hiring subsidies, by adding two new categories, namely (i) mothers with at least three dependent children (aged up to 18), and (ii) individuals who have served custodial sentences or have been sentenced to educational or non-custodial measures.
The draft Government Decision is currently undergoing public consultation, with the deadline for submitting comments and proposals set for 2 May 2026.