The Niculescu Government proposes exempting mothers from paying CASS and maintaining the child-rearing allowance after returning to work

The 2026–2028 governing program of designated Prime Minister Luca Niculescu proposes that parents who voluntarily return to work keep their child-rearing allowance for an additional three or six months, depending on the child’s age. The measure would be implemented by amending Emergency Ordinance 111/2010 and would not be combined with the return-to-work incentive during that period.

Parents who return to work when the child is between six and 12 months old could keep the allowance for six months, while those who return after the child reaches 12 months could keep it for three months. The program also provides for employed grandparents to take parental leave, with the parents’ consent. The monthly subsidy of 2,250 lei for employers hiring parents with at least three children would be maintained, subject to the obligation to retain the employment relationship for a minimum of 12 months.

The document also includes an exemption from the health insurance contribution for mothers with children under two and for war veterans, under certain conditions. The development of a strategy for family, birth rates and demographics is proposed by September 2027.

Other measures include continuing the in vitro fertilization program for 10,000 beneficiaries annually, with a ceiling of 15,000 lei per person, reforming disability assessment and providing vouchers of up to 8,000 euros for assistive technologies. The program also provides for expanding community services, simplifying access to the minimum inclusion income and developing social housing.