Resignation and notice period in Romania: how to resign correctly
In short
Resignation is your right to end your employment contract, without having to justify it. It must be given in writing and takes effect after a notice period, which cannot exceed 20 working days for execution roles and 45 working days for management roles. During the notice period the contract continues normally, and the employer may waive the notice, fully or partially.
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You have decided to leave your job and want to do it correctly, without later headaches — blocked certificates, notice-period disputes, departures treated as “job abandonment”. The good news: resignation is a clear right of yours, and the procedure is simple, as long as you respect two things — the written form and the notice period.
The two rules that matter
- Resignation is given in writing. It is a condition of validity — a verbal notice has no effect. You do not have to justify it, and the employer cannot refuse it.
- The notice has a legal cap. Whatever the contract says, the notice period cannot exceed 20 working days for execution roles and 45 working days for management roles. During it, the contract runs normally: you work, you are paid, your seniority accrues.
How you can leave sooner
The notice period is not set in stone in every situation:
- The employer can waive the notice, fully or partially — if they agree to let you leave earlier, the contract ends on the date of the waiver;
- Termination by mutual agreement — if you both want it, you can end the contract immediately, without notice;
- Resignation without notice is allowed only if the employer failed to meet their contractual obligations (for example, not paying your salary).
The mistake to avoid: the “silent exit”
Do not simply stop coming to work without a written resignation and without notice — this can be treated as unjustified absence and lead to disciplinary dismissal, recorded in your documents. Even if the relationship with the employer is tense, submit the resignation in writing and ask for proof of registration. It is the only way that protects both your seniority and your professional reputation.
Steps to follow
- Check the notice period in your contract. The notice period is the one set in your individual employment contract or the applicable collective agreement, but the law caps it: at most 20 working days for execution roles and at most 45 working days for management roles. If your contract states a longer term, the legal cap applies.
- Write the resignation. The resignation must be made in writing — it is a condition of validity. You do not have to justify it. State that you are resigning, from what date the notice period runs and, if you wish, ask the employer to waive the notice.
- Submit it and get proof of registration. Hand the resignation to your employer (the HR department) and ask for the registration number. The employer is obliged to register it; if they refuse, you can prove the resignation by any means (e-mail, witnesses, delivery confirmation).
- Work the notice period. During the notice period the contract continues to produce all its effects: you go to work, you are paid, seniority accrues. The notice runs in working days from the date the resignation is communicated.
- End the contract at the end of the notice. The contract ends when the notice period expires or, if the employer waives it, on the date of the waiver. On leaving, request the seniority certificate and, if needed, the documents for a new employer.
Required documents
- The resignation request, in written and signed form
- Proof of the resignation's registration with the employer (the registration number)
Costs
| What you pay | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resignation | Free | It is an employee right; it involves no cost |
Fees change over time. Always check the current amounts on the official websites listed under “Official sources”.
How long it takes
The contract ends after the notice period: at most 20 working days for execution roles, at most 45 working days for management roles. If the employer waives the notice, the contract can end sooner, even immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to justify my resignation?
No. Resignation is a unilateral act of the employee and does not have to be justified. The employer cannot refuse it and cannot demand explanations — the only conditions are the written form and observing the notice period.
Can I leave earlier, without working the whole notice?
Yes, in two situations: if the employer waives (fully or partially) the notice period, or if you resign without notice because the employer failed to meet their contractual obligations (for example, not paying your salary). Otherwise, the notice period must be observed.
What happens if I fall ill during the notice period?
If the contract is suspended during the notice period — for example by medical leave — the notice period is also suspended, and the remaining days resume after the suspension ends.
The employer refuses to register my resignation. What do I do?
A refusal to register does not block the resignation. You can send it by e-mail or registered post with delivery confirmation, and the notice period runs from the date of communication. You can prove the resignation by any means of evidence.
Is resignation different from dismissal or mutual agreement?
Yes. Resignation comes from you, unilaterally. Dismissal comes from the employer and has strict protective rules. Termination by mutual agreement means you both agree to end the contract, usually without notice — useful when you want to leave immediately and the employer accepts.