Unemployment benefit in Romania: conditions, documents, amounts
In short
The unemployment benefit goes to people who lost their job through no fault of their own, with at least 12 months of contributions in the last 24, who register with the county employment agency (AJOFM). The monthly amount is the social reference indicator (ISR, 660 lei) plus 3–10% of your average income over the last 12 months, depending on total contribution history; payment lasts 6, 9 or 12 months. Registering within 10 days of the contract ending brings payment retroactively from that date.
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Losing a job brings enough stress without paperwork — and Romania’s unemployment system has one short deadline that forgives nothing: 10 days from the contract ending to register with AJOFM if you want retroactive payment. The rest of the procedure is simple, provided you leave your employer with the right documents.
Who qualifies, in short
The conditions apply cumulatively:
- Contribution record: at least 12 months within the last 24 (the unemployment contribution is paid automatically from salaries);
- No-fault termination: dismissal, restructuring, contract expiry — not resignation or disciplinary dismissal;
- No income, or income below the ISR;
- Not eligible for a pension;
- Registered with AJOFM in your county of domicile.
Recent graduates have a separate regime (a smaller benefit, own registration rules after finishing studies) — details on the ANOFM website.
The classic mistake: “I’ll rest a month first”
Postponing AJOFM registration is the most expensive break you can take: past the 10 days you lose retroactivity, and past 12 months from termination you lose the right entirely. Register immediately, even if you plan to find work fast — the file commits you to nothing, and the money runs from the day your contract ended.
Steps to follow
- Get the documents from your employer. When the contract ends, request the length-of-service/contribution certificate and the document attesting the termination (dismissal decision, contract expiry notice). The reason matters: resignation and disciplinary dismissal generally do not qualify.
- Register with AJOFM within 10 days. Go to the county employment agency of your domicile and register as a jobseeker. The 10-day term from contract termination is critical: met, the benefit is granted retroactively from the termination date; missed, only from the request date (and after 12 months the right lapses entirely).
- Submit the benefit file. The standard application plus the documents: ID, education certificates, the contribution certificate, the termination document, the health and income declarations. The AJOFM counsellor checks the file on the spot.
- Receive the decision and monthly payments. AJOFM issues the benefit decision with the amount and duration computed from your contribution history. Payment is monthly, into a bank account or by postal order.
- Meet the obligations during payment. Report monthly for the AJOFM stamp (or per schedule), respond to job and training call-ups, and report any change (employment, income, relocation) within 3 days. Unjustified refusal of a suitable job or training ends the payments.
Required documents
- Identity document
- Education and qualification certificates
- Length-of-service / contribution certificate from the employer
- The document attesting the termination and its reason (dismissal decision etc.)
- Health declaration (fit for work) and medical certificate where applicable
- Bank statement for payment into an account
Costs
| What you pay | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Registration and the AJOFM file | Free | — |
| The benefit — base component | 660 lei/month (the ISR) | For at least 1 year of contributions |
| The supplement, from your 12-month average income | 3% / 5% / 7% / 10% | For at least 3 / 5 / 10 / 20 years of contributions |
Fees change over time. Always check the current amounts on the official websites listed under “Official sources”.
How long it takes
The benefit is paid for 6 months (1–5 years of contributions), 9 months (5–10 years) or 12 months (over 10 years). The file is decided at AJOFM, and payment runs retroactively from the contract termination if you registered within the 10-day term.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get unemployment benefit if I resign?
As a rule, no — the benefit covers terminations not imputable to you: dismissal for reasons unrelated to your person, expiry of a fixed-term contract, restructuring. Resignation and disciplinary dismissal do not qualify, apart from the exceptions in the law.
How much do I get, concretely?
The base is the ISR — 660 lei per month. On top comes the share of your average gross salary over the last 12 months: 3% at over 3 years of contributions, 5% over 5, 7% over 10, 10% over 20. Example: with 12 years of contributions and a 6,000 lei average, you get 660 + 7% × 6,000 = 1,080 lei/month.
Can I refuse a job offered by AJOFM?
Only with justification. Unjustified refusal of a job suited to your training, or of training courses, ends the benefit. 'Suited' accounts for training, health and distance — if the offer fails those criteria, refusal is justified.
What if I find a job before the period ends?
Benefit payments stop on employment — but the law rewards you: taking a full-time job during the payment period can bring a re-employment allowance (a share of the remaining benefit), under Law 76/2002. Ask AJOFM before signing.
Am I health-insured while on unemployment benefit?
Yes, during payment you are insured in the public health system without paying CASS, and the period counts as assimilated contribution time for your pension.