Diaspora Investește Acasă: grant of up to €200,000 for new companies of Romanians in the diaspora

On 6 August 2026 the Government approved the "Diaspora Investește Acasă" (Diaspora Invests at Home) programme, which has a budget of 506 million lei (the equivalent of 100 million euro). The programme is aimed at newly established companies majority-owned by Romanian citizens who have lived abroad. A non-refundable grant covers up to 60% of the value of the investment loan, without exceeding 200,000 euro per beneficiary. As of 26 September 2026, the Investment and Development Bank (BID) states that the programme is still "being made operational". Applications cannot be submitted yet, and the list of partner banks has not been published.

In brief

• Programme: Diaspora Investește Acasă, de minimis aid in the form of a grant and guarantee for investment loans
• Authority: Ministry of Finance. Implementation is carried out by the Investment and Development Bank (BID), through partner credit institutions
• Beneficiaries: micro-enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises established no more than 3 years ago and majority-owned by Romanians from the diaspora
• Total budget: 506 million lei (100 million euro), for approximately 1,000 enterprises
• Value per project / intensity: loan between 5,000 and 500,000 euro, for up to 10 years. The grant covers up to 60% of the loan, to a maximum of 200,000 euro. The BID guarantee covers up to 80% of the loan
• Submission period: not yet announced. The programme runs from 2026 to 2029
• Status: Government decision adopted, programme being made operational at BID

Who can apply?

According to BID, the applicant company must meet all of the conditions below:

• it was established less than 3 years before the application;
• it is majority-owned by Romanian citizens who had their domicile or residence abroad for at least 12 of the 18 months preceding the application;
• it qualifies as a micro-enterprise or a small or medium-sized enterprise;
• the majority shareholders or the administrators have at least 9 months of professional experience or studies relevant to the investment;
• it has the required own contribution;
• the activity is carried out in Romania.

To be able to apply for the grant, the company must obtain an investment loan from a partner bank. The grant is calculated as a percentage of this loan. The application therefore first goes through the bank's credit assessment.

Which costs are eligible?

BID lists the following eligible investments:

• purchase of equipment and machinery;
• technology, software and licences;
• construction or purchase of business premises;
• extension, modernisation or renovation works;
• employee salary costs during implementation, up to a maximum of 15% of the project value.

The loan may be granted for up to 10 years, with final maturity no later than 31 December 2037. BID states that the interest rate is reduced thanks to its guarantee.

How much must the entrepreneur contribute?

The BID press release sets the own contribution as follows:

• 10% of the value of projects of up to 400,000 euro;
• 5% for projects of up to 400,000 euro, if at least one of the majority shareholders is a diaspora entrepreneur under the age of 35;
• 15% for projects of over 400,000 euro.

After funding, the company has a few obligations. The financed assets must remain in its ownership for at least 3 years from completion of the investment. The diaspora shareholders must also keep their majority for at least 3 years. If the company attracts investment funds, local strategic partners or business angels, their stake may reduce the diaspora holding to 25%.

How and when do you apply?

Applications cannot be submitted yet. According to BID, several steps remain to be completed:

1. conclusion of the Implementation Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and BID;
2. updating of the programme's operational documents;
3. opening of the programme for applications submitted by partner credit institutions.

The start date and the list of partner banks have not been announced yet. The application will be made through the partner bank, not directly to the ministry.

What this means for your business

The recommendations below are from our consultants and are not official conditions.

The programme does not work like a classic grant, with submission on a platform and scoring-based evaluation. Everything starts with a bank loan. Preparation therefore resembles a credit application file:

• Proof of residence abroad. Start gathering now the documents showing the 12 months out of the last 18 spent outside the country, for example residence certificates, employment contracts or tax documents. This is the condition most easily lost if you returned a long time ago.
• Timing of the company's establishment. The company must be less than 3 years old. If you are planning a new company, make sure the shareholding structure respects the diaspora majority from the start.
• Business plan and price quotes. The bank will assess your repayment capacity. A budget backed by real quotes shortens the assessment.
• Own contribution in your account. For projects of over 400,000 euro the contribution is 15%. Work out whether a somewhat smaller project would be more advantageous.
• The de minimis ceiling. The grant counts towards the company's de minimis ceiling. Check the aid previously received by the company and by its linked enterprises.

We believe the programme suits returnees best if they already have experience in the field and a concrete plan for equipment or premises. It is not suitable for ideas still at the testing stage. If you are not sure whether you qualify, you can start with the eligibility check. The programme's status is updated on the Diaspora Investește Acasă page.

Frequently asked questions

Can applications be submitted now under the Diaspora Investește Acasă programme?

No. As of 26 September 2026, BID states that the programme is being made operational. The Implementation Agreement and the list of partner banks have not been published, and the start date for applications has not been announced.

How large can the grant be?

The grant covers up to 60% of the value of the investment loan, but no more than 200,000 euro per beneficiary. The loan may be between 5,000 and 500,000 euro.

Who counts as a Romanian from the diaspora under this programme?

A Romanian citizen who had their domicile or residence abroad for at least 12 of the 18 months preceding the application. These citizens must hold a majority stake in the applicant company.

Can I apply if my company is 4 years old?

No. The programme is intended for companies established less than 3 years before the application.

What own contribution do I need?

The contribution is 10% for projects of up to 400,000 euro. For these projects it falls to 5% if at least one of the majority shareholders is a diaspora entrepreneur under 35. For projects above 400,000 euro it rises to 15%.

Official sources

• BID – Press release: the Government approves the eligibility criteria, BID begins implementing the "Diaspora Investește Acasă" programme
• BID – "Diaspora Investește Acasă" programme page

Information checked on 26 September 2026. Conditions may be amended by the managing authority — check the guide in force before submitting.