Romanian opposition MPs propose rent and transport support for young workers

The initiative, signed by USR deputies Alin Stoica and Diana Stoica alongside parliamentarians from other parties, aims to reduce housing and commuting costs for people aged 18 to 29 as they move from education into employment and independent living.

“Because the transition from school to a job and an independent life is one of the most difficult stages, USR proposes a set of measures to help young people who work: help with paying rent and half-price transportation,” the party said in a statement cited by News.ro.

Under the draft law, which would amend Law No. 76/2002 on unemployment insurance and employment stimulation, eligible employees would receive monthly rent support based on the location of their rented home. The proposed ceilings are RON 600 for Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca, RON 500 for Constanța, Brașov, Sibiu, Craiova, Târgu Mureș, Iași, Timișoara and Oradea, and RON 400 for other localities.

Applicants would need to work full-time under an individual employment contract, service relationship or similar arrangement, earn no more than RON 4,000 net per month and have a rental contract valid for at least six months.

Beneficiaries must not own a home or occupy social, emergency, service or youth housing. They would also be excluded from the scheme if renting from a relative up to and including the fourth degree.

The bill also proposes a 50% discount on local, metropolitan and integrated public transport services, as well as nominal commuter rail passes, for young workers meeting the income threshold.

Part-time employees could qualify if they are enrolled in courses at an accredited educational institution. The proposed support would be available for a maximum of 36 months, regardless of whether the beneficiary works full-time or part-time.

USR deputy Alin Stoica said consultations with young people had identified rent and transport costs as significant barriers to financial independence.

“We want young people to be able to afford to live in the cities where they work,” he said.