Until now, the law provided that upon reaching the age of 63, civil servants could be appointed to a position for a fixed term (not exceeding one year), with the total duration not exceeding 5 years. The new rules extend this cumulative period to a maximum of 7 years.
Under the new provisions, a civil servant may be appointed to a position by decision of an authorized person or body and only with their written consent. They will be able to continue working in the same position, in an equivalent position, or at a lower grade. During this period, employees will receive both a pension and a salary in accordance with the law.
“Given our main argument—low employment rates—we aim to expand institutional capacity, including so that experienced employees can pass on their professional knowledge and legacy to their colleagues,” said Deputy Secretary-General of the Government Alexandru Jakub while presenting the draft to parliamentary committees.
This change is part of a broader public administration reform, which Logos Press has previously reported on. It calls for a review of the rules governing recruitment, professional ethics, and integrity. The amendments were proposed because, at the beginning of 2026, nearly 20% of government positions in central government agencies remained vacant. The current system of competitive exams, which each agency organizes separately, allowed only 49.5% of the positions open for competition in 2025 to be filled.
