Minimum legal ages in Romania explained

As in most other countries, minimum ages apply in Romania for various activities involving minors.

General

The following minimum legal ages apply in Romania:

• Legal age to have sexual intercourse: 16+^{[1] [2]}
• Legal age of criminal responsibility: 14
• Legal age to buy tobacco products: 18
• Legal age for voting: 18
• Legal age to be elected in the Chamber of Deputies (lower house of Parliament): 23^[3]
• Legal age to be elected in the Senate (upper house of Parliament): 33
• Legal age to be elected to the office of President: 35
• Legal age for employment: 15
• Legal driving age: 16 (A1/AM & B1 licenses), 18 (All vehicles excluding some categories such as A for motorcycles)
• Conscription age (voluntary since 2007): 18

Minors

Under Romanian law, minors are people under 18.^[4] Nevertheless, civil law differentiates between minors under 14, who are completely devoid of legal capacity,^[5] and minors age 14-17, who have a limited form of legal capacity.^[6] Emancipation of minors under the law occurs either through marriage^[7] or by court order, if there are strong reasons, from age 16.^[8]

Marriageable age

The marriageable age is defined in Art 272 of the Civil Code of Romania. This article sets a minimum age of marriage of 18, which can, in special circumstances, be lowered to 16.^[9] The marriageable age is the same for boys and girls, as Law nr. 288/2007 equalized the marriageable age of the sexes.^{[10] [11]}

Minors and religious freedom

Minors can choose their own religion from age 14. (Art. 491, 2)^[12] Minors under 14 are guided religiously by their parents, however they can not be forcefully made to follow a religion.(Art. 491, 1)^[12]

Employment

Minors can work from age 15. Minors aged 15 need their parents' consent, while those aged 16–17 do not need their parents' consent. There are, however, restrictions on the type of jobs that minors under 18 can practice. (Art 13 of the Labour Code).^[13]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Modificări la Codul penal pentru violenţe sexuale şi în familie . 9 November 2020 .
2. Web site: 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Romania. state.gov. 29 March 2023. 30 March 2021.
3. Web site: CONSTITUTIA ROMÂNIEI. www.cdep.ro.
4. Web site: Art. 38 Noul cod civil Începutul capacităţii de exerciţiu Capacitatea de exerciţiu Capacitatea civilă a persoanei fizice. 15 March 2018.
5. Web site: Art. 43 Noul cod civil Lipsa capacităţii de exerciţiu Capacitatea de exerciţiu Capacitatea civilă a persoanei fizice. 15 March 2018.
6. Web site: Art. 41 Noul cod civil Capacitatea de exerciţiu restrânsă Capacitatea de exerciţiu Capacitatea civilă a persoanei fizice. 15 March 2018.
7. Web site: Art. 39 Noul cod civil Situaţia minorului căsătorit Capacitatea de exerciţiu Capacitatea civilă a persoanei fizice. 15 March 2018.
8. Web site: Art. 40 Noul cod civil Capacitatea de exerciţiu anticipată Capacitatea de exerciţiu Capacitatea civilă a persoanei fizice. 15 March 2018.
9. Web site: Art. 272 Noul cod civil Vârsta matrimonială Condiţiile de fond pentru încheierea căsătoriei Încheierea căsătoriei. 15 March 2018.
10. Web site: Drept OnLine:: Legea nr. 288/2007 pentru modificarea si completarea Legii nr. 4/1953 - Codul familiei. www.dreptonline.ro. 15 March 2018.
11. http://www.uniuneanotarilor.ro/files/1_articol%20codul%20familiei%20final.doc.
12. Web site: Art. 491 Noul cod civil Religia copilului Drepturile şi îndatoririle părinteşti. 15 March 2018.
13. Web site: Codul Muncii 2017 (Legea 53/2003 actualizata 2017. MCP Cabinet. avocati. www.avocat-dreptul-muncii.eu. 15 March 2018.