The Romanian government has approved the “Diaspora Investește Acasă” programme, a EUR 100 million financing scheme designed to support Romanians living abroad who want to establish and develop businesses in Romania.
The programme, implemented by the Investment and Development Bank (BID) on behalf of the Finance Ministry, will run between 2026 and 2029 and is expected to support around 1,000 newly established companies.
Eligible beneficiaries are companies established for no more than three years, including micro-enterprises and SMEs, majority-owned by Romanian citizens who have lived abroad for at least 12 of the 18 months preceding the financing application and intend to invest in Romania.
The programme combines grants, investment loans and guarantees. Eligible companies will be able to access non-reimbursable grants covering up to 60% of the value of an investment loan, capped at EUR 200,000 per beneficiary. Investment loans will range between EUR 5,000 and EUR 500,000 and may have maturities of up to ten years. BID will also provide guarantees through partner credit institutions.
Financing can be used for equipment, machinery, technology, software and licences, as well as the construction or acquisition of business premises and expansion, modernisation or renovation works. Up to 15% of the project value may also cover salary costs related to implementing the investment.
Beneficiaries must demonstrate at least nine months of professional experience or training in the relevant field or in management and provide their own financial contribution.
For projects worth up to EUR 400,000, the required own contribution is 10% of the investment, falling to 5% where at least one majority shareholder is a diaspora entrepreneur under the age of 35. Projects above EUR 400,000 require a 15% contribution.
The government decision also mandates BID to administer, monitor and pay the grant component in partnership with participating banks.
The next stage will involve the conclusion of an implementation agreement between the Finance Ministry and BID and the preparation of operational documentation, after which partner banks will be able to accept financing applications.