Law No. 106/2025: New protections for individuals with oncological, disabling and chronic diseases

News No. 18/2025

With Official Gazette No. 171/2025, Law No. 106/2025 - "Provisions concerning job retention and paid leave for medical examinations and treatment in favor of workers suffering from oncological, disabling and chronic diseases."

The long-awaited law took effect last Aug. 09, 2025 (except for some measures whose applicability will only take effect on Jan. 1, 2026).

The measure introduces new protections for employees (public and private sector) suffering from oncological, disabling or chronic diseases, including rare diseases, with a degree of disability of 74 percent or more. New protections, have also been introduced for self-employed workers.

Some of the main changes are summarized below.

Article 1 of Law No. 106/2025 recognizes employees of public and private employers, suffering from oncological diseases, as well as disabling or chronic diseases, including rare diseases, which result in a degree of disability of 74% or more, a period of leave lasting 24 months (continuous or fractional). During the leave period, the employee retains his or her job, is not entitled to pay, and may not engage in any type of work activity.

The text of the law specifies that, in order to take the "new" leave, it will first be necessary to have "exhausted" the periods of leave recognized by collective bargaining or by legal regulations. Specifically, in fact, Article 1 of Law No. 106/2025 provides that the leave is compatible with the concurrent enjoyment of any other economic or legal benefits, and its enjoyment runs from the exhaustion of other periods of justified absence, with or without pay, due to the employee for any reason.

The period of leave is not counted in seniority nor for social security purposes but the possibility of redemption through voluntary contributions remains.

Lastly, again Article 1(1) is without prejudice to any more favorable provisions provided by collective bargaining or by the regulations applicable to the employment relationship.

Regarding the documentation useful for applying for leave, the worker concerned must submit certification issued by the general practitioner or specialist doctor of an accredited public or private health facility.

Want to know more?

Subscribe to studiopiceci.com to continue reading these exclusive posts.

Sign up now