Minimum Wage 2025: Starting January 1, 2025, the gross minimum wage in the economy has increased significantly, bringing important changes for employees and employers. The increase affects both wage income and the total costs borne by companies. Here's everything you need to know about the 2025 minimum wage, wages in construction and agriculture, as well as other legislative implications.

Gross and net minimum wage in the economy in 2025

Conformable Government Decree 1505/2024, the guaranteed minimum gross salary in payment is:

  • 4,050 lei monthly, increasing by 9.4% compared to 3,700 lei in 2024.
  • 24,496 lei/hour, for a standard schedule of 165,334 hours per month.

The employee who receives this minimum gross salary benefits from a tax exemption of 300 lei of the salary, according to Government Emergency Ordinance 156/2024 ("the little train ordinance"). Thus, the net minimum wage (the amount actually received "in hand") is 2,574 lei, which represents an increase of 211 lei (+9%) compared to the net salary in 2024.

This increase affects approximately 1.82 million employees from Romania, especially from the private sector.

Total costs borne by firms

Employers must take into account all mandatory social contributions for minimum wages. In 2025, the total cost for an employee paid the minimum wage is 4,134 lei, 357 lei more than in 2024 (+9.4%).

Costs include:

  • Net salary: 2,574 lei;
  • Pension contribution (CAS): 25%;
  • Health contribution (CASS): 10%;
  • Labor insurance contribution (CAM): 2,25%;
  • Income tax: after applicable personal deduction.

Minimum wage in agriculture and the food industry in 2025

In 2025, the gross minimum wage in agriculture and the food industry was aligned with the general minimum wage, being set at 4,050 leiAlthough employees in this sector still benefit from the 300 lei deduction, they lost the tax exemptions applicable in 2024, including the pension contribution exemption (CAS).

Thus, the net minimum wage for employees in agriculture and the food industry is still 2,574 lei, representing an increase of 178 lei (+7.4%) compared to the previous year.

Minimum wage in construction in 2025

For the construction sector, the gross minimum wage remains at 4,582 lei, but the year 2025 brings important changes:

  • No tax exemptions: Employees no longer benefit from the income tax exemption and CAS contribution, facilities previously granted.
  • Without the 300 lei deduction: The gross minimum wage exceeds the threshold for the application of this measure.

Thus, the net salary of construction employees decreases to 2,739 lei, 457 lei less (-14.2%) than in 2024. At the same time, the cost borne by employers remains unchanged, at 4,685 lei per month.

Sanctions for failure to comply with minimum wage obligations

Employers who fail to comply with the obligation to ensure the legal minimum wage risk significant fines, according to art. 260 of the Labor Code:

  • Fines between 3,000 and 5,000 lei for each affected employee.
  • The total amount of fines cannot exceed 200,000 lei per company.

Employers' obligations: REVISAL procedure

To comply with the legislation, employers must update employment contracts and make changes to minimum wages in REVISAL:

  • Deadline: 20 working days from January 1, 2025.
  • Fines for failure to meet the deadline: Between 5,000 and 8,000 lei.

The impact of the minimum wage increase on traffic fines

The increase in the minimum wage also influences the value of traffic fines, since one fine point represents 5% of the gross minimum wage. From January 1, 2025, the fine point is 202.5 lei, an increase from the previous cap of 165 lei.

The penalty classes are updated as follows:

  • Class I: 405 – 607.5 lei (2-3 points).
  • Class II: 810 – 1,012.5 lei (4-5 points).
  • Third class: 1,215 – 1,620 lei (6-8 points).
  • Fourth grade: 1,822.5 – 4,050 lei (9-20 points).
  • Class V (legal entities): 4,455 – 20,250 lei (21-100 points).

Conclusion

The gross minimum wage in the economy in 2025 brings significant changes, directly affecting employee income and employer costs. The wage increase is beneficial for most employees, but some sectors, such as construction, are feeling the effects of the elimination of tax incentives.

For companies, it is essential to implement new salary values correctly and on time, avoiding legal sanctions. If you need support in managing salary changes, the team Accounting One is here to help you!