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Start-ups and diaspora News published: Published on the site: 3 min read

Start-Up Nation 2026: free course registration until 27 November, grant of up to 250,000 lei

The Ministry of Economy has extended registration for the free Start-Up Nation entrepreneurship courses until 27 November 2026, 20:00. Graduates can then apply for a grant of up to 250,000 lei.

Todos & Company editorial team · EU funding consultancy since 2006

Start-Up Nation 2026: free course registration until 27 November, grant of up to 250,000 lei Programme sheet · Call window open Start-Up Nation 2026 — free entrepreneurship courses and a grant of up to 250,000 lei Deadline: 27 November 2026

The Ministry of Economy, Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism has extended by around three weeks the second registration window for the free entrepreneurship courses under Start-Up Nation 2026. Young people can register until 27 November 2026, 20:00, on the minimis.imm.gov.ro platform, and graduates can then access the funding phase, with a grant of up to 250,000 lei.

In brief

  • Programme: Start-Up Nation 2026 (fourth edition), second registration window for the entrepreneurship courses
  • Authority: Ministry of Economy, Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism
  • Beneficiaries: young people aged 18–30 who want to set up a company
  • Grant value: up to 250,000 lei (approximately 50,000 €), covering up to 90% of eligible costs, after completing the course
  • Course: 40 hours, online or in person, free of charge, with a certificate of completion
  • Registration period: until 27 November 2026, 20:00
  • Status: registration open; on 4 November, over 11,400 of the 17,600 places were still available

What has changed?

The Ministry has extended the course registration deadline. The press release of 4 November 2026 shows that the places had not been filled: over 11,400 were still available. Consequently, interest among young people was lower than the programme's capacity.

Who can apply for the course?

The call window is aimed at young people aged between 18 and 30 who want to start a business. Registration is online, on the minimis.imm.gov.ro platform. For the exact list of eligibility conditions, please consult the Ministry's order and the procedure in force; they are not reproduced in full here.

What do participants receive?

The course lasts 40 hours and can be taken online or face to face. The official press release states that graduates receive a certificate issued through the Ministry of Labour. The course is free of charge for participants.

What happens after the course?

Graduates access the funding phase, in which newly established companies can receive a grant of up to 250,000 lei. The timetable and conditions of the funding phase (setting up the company, submitting the application, business plan, obligations after the award) were not detailed in the press release of 4 November. The procedure and guide in force at the time of opening will apply.

What this means for your business

Recommendation: registering for the course is the only step that takes just a few minutes and keeps you in the programme. Do it now, not on the last day: the platform has already experienced outages when call windows opened, and last-minute applications may run into problems at the deadline.

  • Think through your business idea before the course: the field of activity (CAEN code), the main costs and the source of your own contribution of at least 10%, if it applies, will matter when you submit the grant application.
  • A common pitfall: confusing the course with obtaining the grant. The certificate only opens access to the next phase; it does not guarantee funding.
  • If you already have a company, check whether you qualify: the programme targets new companies created by young people.
  • Prepare a realistic business plan in good time, with figures you can support.

For an initial check, use the eligibility check.

Frequently asked questions

Until when can I register for the Start-Up Nation 2026 courses?

Until 27 November 2026, 20:00, on the minimis.imm.gov.ro platform, in line with the deadline extended by the Ministry.

How much does the course cost?

The 40-hour course is free of charge for eligible participants and can be taken online or in person.

What grant can I receive after the course?

Graduates can apply for a grant of up to 250,000 lei, covering up to 90% of eligible costs, in the funding phase. Approval is not guaranteed and depends on meeting the conditions.

Are there still places available?

Yes. On 4 November 2026 there were still over 11,400 of the 17,600 places available. The situation may change, so register in good time.

Official sources

Information checked on 9 November 2026. The conditions may be amended by the managing authority — check the guide in force before submitting.

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