What is Cass in Romania?
CASS, the Social Health Insurance Contribution, is a compulsory contribution that employers and employees must pay monthly to the budget of the Single National Health Insurance Fund in Romania. Its purpose is to finance the healthcare system and ensure access to quality medical services for all citizens.
According to Article 156 of the Tax Code, the social health insurance contribution is mandatory for individuals who are employees or for whom there is a legal obligation to pay this contribution. A tax regulation lawyer in Romania can provide legal guidance on the specific obligations and exemptions applicable under the law.
This contribution is payable by individuals generating income in the following categories:
- income from wages and salary-like income;
- income from pensions, defined according to Article 99 of the Tax Code, for the part exceeding the monthly amount of 4,000 lei;
- income from self-employment;
- income from intellectual property rights;
- income from association with a legal entity;
- income from the disposal of property;
- income from agricultural, forestry and fish farming activities;
- investment income;
- income from other sources.
Who pays CASS – CASS 2025 ceilings in Romania
The person who actually pays the health insurance contribution differs depending on the category of income.
Thus, in the case of natural persons who earn income from wages and salaries, employers (natural or legal persons) or persons treated as such, as well as income payers, are required to calculate and withhold social security contributions at source, and to submit a declaration on social security contributions by the 25th day of the month following the month for which the income is paid, and at the latest on the 25th day of the month following the month for which the income is paid. The health insurance contribution is calculated by applying the 10% rate to the monthly calculation basis established in accordance with Articles 157-1575 of the Tax Code.
On the other hand, in the case of persons realizing income from self-employment, as defined by the provisions of the Tax Code, as well as in the case of those realizing income from the other categories of income listed above, the social security contribution is calculated and paid by the taxpayers. The persons concerned establish and declare the contribution by submitting a declaration on social security contributions by May 25 of the year following the year in which the income is earned.
The legislation in force provides for a new annual basis of calculation, so the health insurance contribution rate must be applied in relation to new ceilings. However, the health insurance contribution is applied separately to income from self-employed activities (PFA, PFI) and income from other sources. In the case of self-employed persons, the ceilings are as follows:
- minimum ceiling of 6 gross minimum salaries;
- a maximum ceiling of 60 gross minimum wages.
In the case of other types of income, the health insurance contribution is calculated in relation to three ceilings:
- if the cumulated income from other sources is between 6 and 12 gross minimum wages, the CASS is 10% of the 6 wages ceiling;
- if the combined income from other sources is between 12 and 24 gross minimum salaries, the CASS is 10% of the 12 salary ceiling;
- if the accumulated income from other sources is more than 24 gross minimum wages, the CASS is 10% of the 24-salary ceiling.
How much is CASS in 2025?
The social health insurance contribution rate is 10% and is payable by individuals who are employees or for whom there is an obligation to pay social health insurance contributions, according to the Tax Code.
As for the exact amount of the health insurance contribution, it varies according to the category of income the taxpayer earns and the amount of income actually earned by the person concerned. For example, if a self-employed person earns less than 6 gross minimum wages (the minimum ceiling set by law), he/she will still owe CASS of 1 980 lei (10% of 6 x 3 300 lei). Also by way of example, if a person realizes an annual income of 49,500 lei from the transfer of the use of goods, he/she will owe CASS of 3,960 lei (10% of 12 x 3,300 lei), because his/her income is within the threshold between 12 and 24 gross minimum wages.
