Last updated: 3 November 2016
The Romanian Parliament decided to add two new public holidays to the 12 already existing ones, as well as to change the amount of a meal ticket. Such amendments are presented to you hereinafter…
NEW PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Until now, Romanians had 12 public holidays, as follows: 1st and 2nd of January, Easter Monday, 1st of May, Pentecost, the Feast of the Ascension (15th of August), Saint Andrew (30th of November), the National Day of Romania (1st of December) and the first and second Christmas days (the 25th and the 26th of December).
The Romanian Parliament recently passed Law no. 179/2016 (published in Official Journal no. 808 of the 13th of October 2016), which became effective on the 16th of October. This law provides that, from now on, the 24th of January will be a public holiday in Romania. On such day, Romanians celebrate the Union of the Romanian Principalities, the first stage of the creation of the Romanian State.
Furthermore, the Parliament passed a law (not yet effective) that also declares the 1st of June as a public holiday. This day marks, in Europe, the International Children’s Day. In fact, following the experts’ and psychologists’ advice, the Parliament decided that it is only parents who will benefit from such a holiday and spend it with their children…
Thus, in 2017, Romanian employees will have 14 days off. In accordance with the Labor Code, public holidays are non-working days (except for the exceptions provided by the Labor Code).
CHANGES IN THE AMOUNT OF MEAL TICKETS
As for meal tickets (payment documents issued to employees for purchasing a hot meal at work every day), the Parliament decided that employees can increase the value of a meal ticket up to 15 Lei/ticket/day.
Such tickets are granted to employees for each day worked and can be used in cafeterias, fast food restaurants or markets/supermarkets, for the sole purpose of purchasing food products.
At present, the amount of a meal ticket is 9.57 Lei – the minimum compulsory amount. Thus, employers can, but are not required to increase this value up to 15 Lei. Furthermore, employers can choose an intermediary amount, in order to cover the daily meal of their employees more efficiently.
Please be reminded that employers’ expenses for meal tickets have a limited deductibility, as per the Tax Code. Nevertheless, such tickets are exempt from the payment of compulsory social security contributions.
We hope you found this information useful!