Romania implements minimum wage increase and salary transparency rules

The Romanian government has approved an increase in the gross monthly minimum wage, effective July 1, 2026. According to Government Decision HG 146/2026, the gross minimum wage will rise from 4,050 lei to 4,325 lei, representing a 6.8% increase. This adjustment results in a net income increase of 125 lei for employees, while the total labor cost for employers rises by 284 lei.

In addition to wage adjustments, new EU transparency regulations are impacting Romanian businesses. Under Directive (EU) 2023/970, companies with 150 to 249 employees must report gender pay gaps by June 7, 2027, based on 2026 data. Larger companies with over 250 employees are required to report these figures annually.

These transparency mandates require firms to disclose average and median pay gaps, variable component differences, and salary distributions across quartiles. If an unjustified pay gap of at least 5% is identified and not corrected within six months, companies must conduct a joint evaluation with employee representatives. Furthermore, job advertisements must now include salary ranges, and employers are prohibited from inquiring about a candidate's previous salary.