Abiotic stress, particularly drought stress is a common problem occurring all over the world and a serious limiting factor for global crop production, the yield losses accounting more than 50% for many crops. The plants can be affected by drought at any time of their life, but the critical stages are the germination and seedling growth. Being an oil seed crop sunflower is particularly susceptible to water shortage at germination stage and the exposure of seeds to water stress may compromise the seedlings establishment. The aim of this study was the evaluation of seed germination related to drought tolerance. The response to drought stress on germination was investigated on twenty sunflower genotypes (noted conventionally HM 1-20), using 2 concentrations of PEG 6000 (10% and 20%) to induced artificial water stress. Final germination percentage (FGP, %) was used to evaluate the plant response to drought. Under no water stress (control) seed germination is the highest and range between 80,0-100,0%. Germination was significantly affected by the osmotic potential and decreased with the increase in PEG 6000 concentration in all the hybrids. The minimum FGP values (28,3; 36,7; 43,3; 46,7 and 48,3%) were established at the highest 20% PEG in hybrids HM18, HM5, HM2, HM3 and HM12, respectively, the decrease ranged between 31,7-51,7% comparative to control. This trend was similar under 10% PEG concentrations, water stress reducing seed germination percentage with 10,0-21,7% in the same samples, with small exceptions. The highest germination percentage was observed at the 10% PEG concentration (91,7-98,3%) in hybrids HM8-HM11, HM14, HM15 and HM17, with maximal value in HM14, HM15 and HM17. The sunflower hybrid HM2, HM3, HM12 and HM18 showed minimal value of FGP under both PEG concentrations. The hybrids HM1, HM8, HM9, HM10, HM13, HM14 and HM15 had the highest germination stress tolerance (FGP˃80%) under both tested PEG concentrations and could be considered tolerant to drought stress at this stage of development. Thus, on the basis of the results of this study, 7 tolerant sunflower hybrids were selected. The germination test may be useful for rapid identifying, in a controlled experimental assay, of drought tolerant sunflower cultivars which could be used in further breeding programs.