The Ministry of Finance is launching the „Diaspora Invests at Home” program, with a total budget of 100 million euros, aimed at Romanians living abroad who wish to invest in Romania through newly established companies, with grants covering up to 60% of the value of investment loans, up to a limit of 200,000 euros for each eligible beneficiary.
According to an institutional statement, financial support will be provided between 2026 and 2029 through the Investment and Development Bank, and investment loans can range from 5,000 to 500,000 euros.
„The Ministry of Finance is making 100 million euros available for Romanians in the diaspora who wish to invest in Romania and develop local businesses. Through „Diaspora Invests Back Home,” the first program aimed at Romanians in the diaspora, newly established companies by Romanian citizens living abroad will be eligible for grants of up to 200,000 euros through the Investment and Development Bank, the institution responsible for granting, monitoring, and disbursing the funds.”, reads the press release.
Through this program, newly established companies, whose share capital is majority-owned by Romanian citizens with domicile or residence abroad, will be able to access grants to support loans intended for investments, the cited source mentions.
„Through this program, we aim to transform the professional experience, skills, and resources of Romanians in the diaspora into an engine for Romania's economic development. We thus send a signal that we support entrepreneurial initiatives and investments made by Romanians who wish to actively contribute to the development of the national economy. The program means sustainable investments, new opportunities for local communities, and job creation.” declared Alexandru Nazare, the Minister of Finance, quoted by Agerpres.
Grants may cover up to 60% of the investment loan amount, not to exceed €200,000 per eligible beneficiary. Financial support will be provided between 2026 and 2029, subject to available funding.
„The program is aimed at start-ups founded by Romanians from the diaspora who meet the eligibility conditions provided for in the de minimis aid scheme. Among the main criteria are: majority ownership of the share capital by Romanian citizens who have had their domicile or residence abroad for a period of at least 12 consecutive months in the last 18 months; existence of professional experience or relevant studies of at least one year in the field for which funding is requested; maintenance of the investment and shareholding structure for a period of at least 3 years from the completion of the investment.”, the document also states.
At the same time, beneficiaries will be required to provide a minimum contribution of 10% of the investment project’s total value. For entrepreneurs under the age of 35, the minimum contribution will be reduced to 5%.
According to the cited source, the minimum value of an investment loan is 5,000 euros, and the maximum value is 500,000 euros. The maximum loan term will be 10 years, with the final maturity date not exceeding December 31, 2037.
The „Diaspora Invests at Home” program, the first dedicated to Romanians from the diaspora, is part of the Ministry of Finance's objectives regarding supporting investments, stimulating entrepreneurship, and strengthening economic ties between Romania and Romanian communities outside the country's borders.