The Romanian contract you’re signing, decoded

The CIM (individual employment contract), Revisal registration, probation and notice basics — what an English-speaking hire should understand before signing (2026).

The CIM and Revisal

Employment runs on the contract individual de muncă (CIM), which must be written and registered in the government registry (Revisal / REGES) before you start. If an "employer" wants you working without a registered CIM, walk away — unregistered work leaves you without insurance, contributions or proof of employment.

Probation, hours, leave

Typical shape under the Labour Code: full-time is 40h/week, probation for standard roles is capped (up to 90 calendar days for execution roles, longer for management), paid leave is a minimum of 20 working days/year (many employers give more), and resignation notice is capped (up to 20 working days for execution roles, 45 for management). The contract may be bilingual — the Romanian version is the binding one, so translate before signing.

Where to check

Official starting points: the Labour Inspectorate (inspectiamuncii.ro) and the Ministry of Labour. Your employer must give you a copy of the signed CIM and, on request, your Revisal extract.

Orientation, not legal advice: rules change and cases differ. Every section links the official source — always verify there or with a professional (gestor / consultant) before acting. Facts last verified July 2026.

FAQ

Is meal-ticket ("tichete de masă") income part of my salary?

It’s a common, tax-advantaged benefit on top of salary — nice to have, but negotiate the base salary first: benefits don’t count toward pension contributions the way salary does.

The rest of the library: the expat reference index · companies hiring right now. Compiled from official sources.