Modernisation Fund: €169 million for freight locomotives and zero-emission vessels, deadline 16 November

Private freight rail operators and maritime or inland waterway transport operators (passengers and freight) can submit projects for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles funded from the Modernisation Fund in MySMIS2021 until 16 November 2026. The state aid scheme allocates €90 million to the rail sub-measure and €79 million to the maritime one. The aid covers 100% of eligible costs, but cannot exceed €18 million per undertaking. On 7 October, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (MTI) clarified how price quotes must be presented.

In brief

• Programme: Modernisation Fund – State aid scheme for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles in road and rail freight transport, maritime transport and inland waterway transport (sub-measures 2 and 3)
• Authority: Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, General Directorate for European Transport Programmes
• Beneficiaries: freight rail operators (sub-measure 2) and maritime or inland waterway transport operators, for passengers and freight (sub-measure 3). Micro-enterprises, SMEs and large enterprises can apply
• Budget: €299 million for the whole scheme, of which €90 million for sub-measure 2 and €79 million for sub-measure 3
• Intensity / ceiling: 100% of eligible costs (the additional cost compared with a reference vehicle), up to a maximum of €18 million per undertaking and no more than 10 vehicles
• Submission period: 14 September – 16 November 2026, in MySMIS2021
• Status: calls open; clarifications published on 14 and 16 September and on 7 October 2026

Who can apply?

The scheme, approved by OMTI no. 756/2025 and published in the Official Gazette no. 723 of 4 August 2025, is aimed at transport operators registered in Romania that hold a valid transport licence under national legislation. For sub-measure 2, the scheme requires CAEN code 4920 (freight rail transport). Undertakings in difficulty, and those that must repay state aid declared illegal (the Deggendorf principle), are not eligible.

For sub-measure 2 (rail), the project involves replacing an existing vehicle that has been owned and operated for at least one year. For sub-measure 3 (maritime), the scheme refers to the "replacement/purchase" of vessels. According to the MTI clarifications of 14 September, the vehicle being replaced must have been used in economic activity for at least 12 months, and proof is provided with the documents required by the applicant's guide. If the vehicle to be replaced does not yet belong to the applicant at the time of submission, a bilateral promise of sale and purchase concluded in authentic form before a notary must be presented. The replaced vehicle must be scrapped or dismantled, and proof must be submitted within 30 days of receiving the new vehicle.

How much can you obtain and what is funded?

The eligible cost is not the full price of the vehicle. It is the additional cost of the zero-emission vehicle compared with a vehicle of the same category that meets the applicable standards and would have been bought without aid (the counterfactual scenario). Both prices are taken excluding VAT. Of this difference, the aid covers 100%.

• ceiling: €18 million per undertaking;
• maximum 10 vehicles per beneficiary, cumulatively across all calls under the scheme;
• the vehicle must be kept in operation for 5 years after implementation, without a substantial change of purpose.

What changed on 7 October?

MTI has published clarifications dedicated to sub-measures 2 and 3. For each type of vehicle, the applicant must submit at least two price quotes that match the technical specifications, both for the zero-emission vehicle and for the vehicle in the counterfactual scenario.

In exceptional, well-justified situations, a single quote is accepted, with documentation showing that a second one could not be obtained. If the manufacturer of the zero-emission vehicle does not make a comparable counterfactual vehicle, the quote for it may come from another manufacturer. Technical and functional comparability must, however, be demonstrated with official documents or letters from the manufacturer.

How and by when do you apply?

Applications are submitted in MySMIS2021 until 16 November 2026. The applicant's guide was approved by OMTI no. 824/2026, and the launch of the calls by OMTI no. 842/2026. The timetable announced by MTI on 9 September provides for:

• techno-economic evaluation: 17 November – 17 December 2026;
• publication of scores: 18 December 2026;
• appeals: 21 December 2026 – 21 January 2027;
• administrative verification: 15 February – 16 March 2027;
• final results: 20 April – 11 May 2027;
• signing of contracts: 12–18 May 2027.

The procedure is competitive, so projects are ranked and submitting does not guarantee funding. The exact closing time and the scoring grid are those in the guide published on fonduri.mt.ro.

What this means for your business

Consultant's recommendation: with five weeks to the deadline, price quotes are the critical point. For locomotives and vessels, suppliers are few and slow to respond, so requests for quotes for both scenarios (zero-emission and counterfactual) should be sent now. The calculation of the eligible cost depends directly on these quotes. A wrongly chosen counterfactual vehicle, whether too cheap or not technically comparable, reduces the aid or leads to rejection.

Check the documents for the vehicle to be replaced well in advance: ownership or the authentic promise of sale and purchase, the 12 months of economic use and the transport licence. Also plan for the obligation to scrap within 30 days, plus the 5 years of operation. For road freight transport there is a separate page on the site: the zero-emission vehicles scheme from the Modernisation Fund. If you are not sure whether your company qualifies, start with the eligibility check.

Frequently asked questions

Does the aid cover the full price of the locomotive or vessel?

No. 100% of the eligible cost is funded, that is, the price difference, excluding VAT, between the zero-emission vehicle and an equivalent vehicle that meets the applicable standards, bought without aid. The ceiling is €18 million per undertaking.

Can large companies apply?

Yes. The scheme is open to micro-enterprises, SMEs and large enterprises that are transport operators with a valid licence and are not in difficulty.

Is replacing an existing vehicle mandatory?

For sub-measure 2 (rail), yes. For sub-measure 3 (maritime), the scheme refers to the "replacement/purchase" of vessels. Where there is a replaced vehicle, it must have had at least 12 months of economic use and must be scrapped or dismantled, with proof within 30 days of receiving the new vehicle.

What should I do if I cannot obtain two price quotes?

A single quote is accepted only in exceptional, well-justified situations. You must document why the second quote could not be obtained, according to the MTI clarifications of 7 October 2026.

When will the results be known?

According to the MTI timetable, scores are published on 18 December 2026, final results between 20 April and 11 May 2027, and contracts are signed between 12 and 18 May 2027.

Official sources

• MTI – timetable for the five calls for zero-emission vehicles (9 September 2026)
• MTI – clarifications on sub-measures 2 and 3 (7 October 2026)
• MTI – clarifications on the replaced vehicle (14 September 2026)
• State aid scheme of 23 July 2025 (Official Gazette no. 723/2025)
• Applicant's guide – State aid scheme 3, Modernisation Fund

Information checked on 12 October 2026. Conditions may be changed by the managing authority — check the guide in force before you submit.