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Romania has a relatively low unemployment rate, with an official unemployment of 4,6% at the end of 2017. As the country's main economic hub, Bucharest boasts an even lower rate, of 1,1%.

The National Agency for the Occupation of the Workforce (Agenția Națională pentru Ocuparea Forței de Muncă - ANOFM) is the institution in charge with assisting the unemployed find work.

Unemployment Benefits in Romania

The unemployment benefits (indemnizația de șomaj) is provided by the social security insurance, mandatory for all employees. The amount of the benefit and the period during which it is granted depend on the individual circumstances of the claimer.

The unemployment benefits are given for a period of:

• 6 months, if the employee has made payments to the social security fund for at least 1 year
• 9 months, if the employee has made payments to the social security fund for at least 5 years
• 12 months, if the employee has made payments to the social security fund for at least 10 years

The amount of the unemployment benefit is computed based on the Social Reference Indicator, which has been set at 500 RON/month (approximately 110 euros) as of 2017. The basic unemployment benefit is 75% of the Social Reference Indicator if the person has made contributions to the social security fund for at least 1 year. This percentage is increased by:

• 3% if the employee has contributed at least 3 years to the social security fund
• 5% if the employee has contributed at least 5 years
• 7% if the employee has contributed at least 10 years
• 10% if the employee has contributed at least 20 years

Who is Eligible?

In order to qualify for unemployment benefits in Romania, claimers must meet a series of requirements:

• Be without work or other sources of income, or their income must be  lower than the Social Reference Indicator
• Be without employment for involuntary reasons (i.e. Must not have left work of their own free will)
• Be over 18, but below the legal retirement age
• Must have made contributions to the social security fund for a period of at least 12 months during the previous 24 months
• Actively search for work, by being registered at the local National Agency for the Occupation of the Workforce branch.

EU nationals can automatically claim Romanian employment benefits if they reside in Romania. Non-EU citizens must make the proof that they are legally allowed to work in Romania.

How to Claim a Benefit

In order to claim a benefit, the person must file a formal application with the National Agency for the Occupation of Workforce. The application must include supporting documentation for the claimant's studies, reasons for the termination of the previous employment, and income.

Anyone who receives a monthly unemployment benefit is required to show they are actively searching for work, by attending the monthly job search trainings and free job fairs organized by ANOFM.