Embassy of Romania · Investor Briefing 2025
Invest in Romania.
A gateway market of 450M consumers.
A practical guide to investing in Romania — opportunities, incentives, and regional profiles
GDP 2024
€353.8B
Population
19M
Corporate tax
16%
FDI stock
€126B
Avg internet
248 Mbps
Schengen
2025
A €354B economy at the crossroads of Europe.
EU/NATO/Schengen member state at the crossroads of Europe, CIS, and the Middle East. Gateway to a market of 450M consumers with a dynamic €354B economy.
Why Romania
EU, NATO, and Schengen member. A market of 19M domestic consumers with direct access to the EU single market — competitive labour costs, top-tier digital infrastructure, and a flat 16% corporate tax.
2nd
lowest hourly labour cost in EU-27
3rd
fastest fixed internet in EU
118
industrial parks countrywide
Memberships
EU
since 2007
NATO
since 2004
Schengen
since 2025
Strategic position
450M consumers
19M domestic
Border access
- Located at the junction of EU, CIS, and Middle East
- Direct access to ~450 million consumers via EU single market
- Schengen entry (2025) unlocks full freedom of movement for people and goods
Peak sectors
2024 figures
Automotive
560,000+ vehicles/year, 13% of GDP
IT & Business Services
€15.8B turnover, 6.9% of GDP
Agrifood & Green Energy
118 industrial parks, cost cuts up to 70% in Just Transition counties
Renewables & Energy Storage
major EU-funded incentives
A resilient economy with a competitive tax regime.
Post-pandemic soft landing with GDP growth of 2–3% projected 2025–2028. Competitive tax regime with 16% CIT and 10% dividend tax (rising to 16% in 2026).
GDP growth
1.6%
→ 2.8%
2025 → 2026+
Inflation
5.1%
→ 3.1%
2024 → 2026
Unemployment
5.4%
→ Below EU avg
Structurally low
Corporate tax
16%
→ 2nd lowest EU
Flat rate
EU tax comparison · 2025
Romania vs EU-27 average
67%
of multinationals plan to expand their Romanian presence in the next 3 years — up from 41% in 2023.
- 70% of local companies consider investment level 'adequate'
- OECD accession process brings new anti-corruption legislation (end 2024)
- Resilient domestic demand: EU funds + private investment sustaining fixed capital growth
One of the most attractive cost profiles in the EU.
One of the most attractive cost profiles in the EU — combining low-cost workforce, cheap utilities, top-tier internet, and significantly lower real estate vs Western Europe.
Labour
Labour Market Costs
90% of university graduates speak English; 97% of high school students master 2+ foreign languages
Digital connectivity
Avg download speed (Mbps) · 3rd in EU
€8
1Gbps plan / month
90%
graduates speak English
Utilities
Utilities
Office real estate · index
Bucharest is 4.6× cheaper than London
Rent index, London = 459 baseline.
Digital infrastructure detail
Digital Connectivity
Real Estate (vs Western Europe)
Real Estate (vs Western Europe)
Over €70B in EU & state aid available through 2027.
Romania offers one of the most comprehensive financing ecosystems in Central & Eastern Europe: €44B+ in EU cohesion funds, €28.5B NRRP, and multiple state aid schemes covering manufacturing, agrifood, energy, and SMEs.
How funding flows
EU & State sources
€44B cohesion · €28.5B NRRP · GD aid schemes
Programmes
10 active schemes
Your project
Grants up to 70% of eligible costs
€44.43B cohesion + €28.5B NRRP + sector-specific grants
EU Cohesion Policy Funds (€44.43B, 2021–2027)
16 programmes (8 national + 8 regional) managed by Ministry of Investment and European Projects.
National Recovery & Resilience Plan (NRRP) — €28.5B
Romania's largest post-accession reform + investment programme. 66 reforms, 113 investments across 16 strategic sectors. 44% green transition + 22% digitalisation.
State Aid — Regional Development (GD 300/2024)
For large projects (€10M–€100M eligible costs) in manufacturing and waste management. Competitive, transparent grants up to €49.5M per project.
State Aid — Manufacturing Grants (GD 702/2024)
For multinationals, large companies, and innovative SMEs targeting manufacturing development, expansion, and modernisation. One of the most competitive schemes in the region.
INVESTALIM — Agrifood State Aid
Dedicated to the food industry. €600M total (2023–2026), up to 500,000 lei per beneficiary. Supports digital automation and new capacity in food processing.
Energy-Intensive Industry Exemption (GEO 20/2025)
Reduces green certificate costs by up to 85% for large industrial energy consumers competing globally. Provides long-term cost predictability through 2031.
Advanced Biofuels Investment Aid
Supports bioethanol, HVO, and SAF plant investors. €500M budget, open until end of 2025. Government target: biofuels ≥5% of transport energy by 2030.
Start-Up Nation Romania 2025
4th edition. ~€450M in grants for new entrepreneurs. Up to 250,000 lei / SME, covering 90% of eligible costs. Mandatory entrepreneurship training prerequisite.
Women Entrepreneur Programme 2024
€200M lei dedicated budget for women-led businesses. Grants up to 200,000 lei covering 90% of eligible costs. Focus on production, digital, and creative industries.
National Microindustrialisation Programme (2023 Edition)
Supports SME scale-up with non-refundable grants up to 50% of costs (max 500,000 lei), linked to a mandatory investment loan with a partner bank.
From name reservation to live trading — typically under 2 weeks.
Romania's online Trade Register (ONRC) keeps the process fast and predictable.
- 1
Reserve Company Name
Submit 3 hierarchical name options to Trade Register (ONRC). Done online at portal.onrc.ro.
- 2
Draft Articles of Incorporation
For SRL/SA: Company Statute or Constitutive Act (SRL with sole shareholder). Use standard ONRC forms (Order 5307/C/2022).
- 3
Establish Registered Office
Submit proof of right to use: lease, title, or virtual office document. EU/EEA citizens can purchase real estate same as Romanian citizens.
- 4
Open Bank Account & Deposit Capital
Deposit minimum capital in a Romanian bank. Obtain bank confirmation letter.
- 5
Submit Registration Dossier to ONRC
Apply online or in person. Docs required: registration application, name reservation, articles of incorporation, bank confirmation, proof of HQ, administrator details, tax confirmations, self-declarations.
- 6
Fiscal & Statistical Registration
Tax ID (CIF/VAT) and statistical code automatically issued by ONRC and transmitted to ANAF.
- 7
Start Activity
Notify ANAF of accounting method, VAT option, and any sector-specific authorisations.
Choose a legal form
Limited Liability Company (SRL)
Recommended- Min Capital
- 1 leu
- Associates
- 1–50 individuals or legal entities
- Liability
- Limited to capital contributions
- Governance
- One or more directors; no mandatory financial publication
- Best For
- Most common form; ideal for SMEs and foreign subsidiaries
Joint Stock Company (SA)
- Min Capital
- 90,000 RON
- Associates
- Minimum 2; no maximum
- Liability
- Limited to capital contribution
- Governance
- Board of Directors + mandatory auditor; public financial reporting; freely transferable shares; stock exchange listing possible
- Best For
- Larger companies; companies seeking public listing
Authorised Natural Person (PFA)
- Min Capital
- None
- Liability
- Unlimited personal liability
- Taxation
- 10% income tax + social contributions
- Best For
- Solo freelancers and micro-businesses with low turnover
Branch of a Foreign Company
- Min Capital
- None (governed by parent capital)
- Liability
- Parent company liable for branch debts
- Note
- Considered Romanian legal entity for tax and reporting purposes
- Best For
- Fast market entry for foreign companies
8 regions. Each with its own profile.
Romania's NUTS-2 development regions group counties for EU funding and state aid. Switch the metric to re-rank the country at a glance — the map and card list always stay in sync.
Color by
Leader
Bucharest-Ilfov Region
€95.5B
Trailing
South-West Oltenia Region
€25.1B
Bucharest-Ilfov
GDP
€95.5B
Unemp.
0.8%
FDI stock
€75.4kM
North-West
GDP
€39.21B
Unemp.
2.26%
FDI stock
€7.4kM
South-Muntenia
GDP
€37B
Unemp.
3.71%
FDI stock
€7.4kM
Centre
GDP
€34.28B
Unemp.
3.16%
FDI stock
€9.8kM
North-East
GDP
€32.8B
Unemp.
4.17%
FDI stock
€3.0kM
South-East
GDP
€31.4B
Unemp.
3.57%
FDI stock
€4.3kM
West
GDP
€28.42B
Unemp.
1.88%
FDI stock
€8.7kM
South-West Oltenia
GDP
€25.1B
Unemp.
5.43%
FDI stock
€2.3kM
Source · Investors-Handbook-2025_EN.pdf
Ready to proceed?
The full 2025 Investor's Handbook (70 pages) covers every programme, region, and incentive in detail. For tailored introductions, the Embassy of Romania can connect you with national and regional investment authorities.