Start-Up Nation 2026: Key Changes to the Fixed Assets Threshold in Funding
The Startup Nation programme remains a key opportunity for Romanian entrepreneurs at the start of their journey, offering non-refundable grants of up to 50,000 euro for setting up and developing…
Todos & Company editorial team · EU funding consultancy since 2006
The context and importance of the Start-Up Nation 2024-2026 programme
The Start-Up Nation programme remains a key opportunity for Romanian entrepreneurs at the start of their journey, offering non-refundable grants of up to 50,000 euro for setting up and developing new businesses. Originally launched in 2017, the programme has evolved steadily, adapting to real market needs and local economic challenges. The 2024-2026 edition comes with a generous budget and updated procedures, designed to give concrete support to small and medium-sized businesses, especially in fields with high potential for growth and innovation.
However, the recent changes introduced by the Ministry of Economy highlight the difficulties inherent in any large-scale funding mechanism. Technical or interpretative issues, such as the eligibility thresholds for fixed assets, can cause significant bottlenecks in accessing the grants, and a prompt response from the authorities is essential to keep the programme attractive.
Who can apply and what opportunities Start-Up Nation 2026 offers
The main beneficiaries are recently established small and medium-sized enterprises, with declared activity in diverse fields such as manufacturing, IT services, trade or tourism. Entities that were established less than 3 years ago and that meet the selection criteria set each year are eligible. An important novelty is the greater flexibility in the types of costs allowed, particularly as regards fixed assets, where many companies invest to secure the equipment they need for sustainable growth.
Over the past year, a major problem has arisen around the thresholds and conditions for purchasing fixed assets, where some costs were considered ineligible under the initial procedure, affecting the funding plans of many start-ups. With this recent change, the Ministry of Economy indicates that the interventions are being carried out on the basis of consultations with beneficiaries and with the support of external expertise, in order to correct the gaps that have emerged.
What changes have been made to the official procedure on the fixed assets threshold
The main change concerns the adjustment of the eligibility criteria for purchasing fixed assets, a category that is essential for companies in the initial investment or modernisation phase. This removes the risk that some of the equipment or technology needed to carry out the business could be rejected because of technical limitations that do not reflect the real market.
The value threshold that determined the eligibility of this type of cost has been revised in the procedure, taking into account consultations with stakeholders and observations on actual market costs. This gives entrepreneurs greater room for manoeuvre in investing funds in essential fixed assets, without jeopardising compliance with the funding award criteria.
The change not only removes administrative barriers but also increases predictability and trust in the programme, two crucial elements in an EU funding circuit that can become bureaucratic or rigid.
How companies should prepare to access the funds under the new conditions
Entrepreneurs interested in the programme must pay close attention both to the complete documentation they submit and to the nature and value of the fixed assets they purchase. It is essential to justify clearly the usefulness and functionality of the investment in relation to the company's line of business, and to comply with the new thresholds.
In addition to the funding application itself, the documentation must include proforma invoices, supplier quotes, an updated business plan that genuinely reflects the need for fixed assets, and the depreciation or usage plan for them. Companies should follow the official communications of the Ministry of Economy closely to avoid having their application rejected on bureaucratic or technical grounds.
Applicants are advised to consult an EU funding consultant who can check the eligibility of all components of the project and ensure their compliance with the programme guide. In this way, they can reduce the risk of costly errors and make full use of the allocated amount.
The impact of the changes on the business environment and what comes next
Adapting the rules to market reality reflects an important step towards a more flexible funding mechanism that supports entrepreneurship in a dynamic economic context. The authorities' reaction to the feedback received demonstrates the maturing of the process and a commitment to concrete support, not merely declared support.
In the medium term, entrepreneurs will be able to take advantage of the financial opportunities without running into technical obstacles that ignore the specifics of the investment. The expectation is that, as demand grows, the procedures will continue to adapt, so that the allocated funds are effectively spent on viable projects and the economic and social impact is felt concretely in communities.
Our recommendation to companies is to follow all legal updates closely and to turn to EU funding consultancy experts, in order to access Start-Up Nation funding quickly and correctly. In this way, the new edition of the programme can become a solid launchpad for competitive and sustainable businesses.
Want to find out what non-refundable funding you can access?
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