The 2026 budget is one of responsibility and balance, built on a new record level of investment and European funds attracted, and the way it is being drafted sends signals about Romania's credibility and seriousness, Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare wrote in a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday.
'Yesterday, I presented the draft 2026 budget during the coalition meeting. It is a budget of responsibility and balance, but one built on a new record level of investment and European funds attracted to Romania, which will support our recovery. We aim to reduce the deficit towards 6% of GDP, in a context where pressures remain high. Although, against the backdrop of borrowing accumulated in previous years, interest costs are rising by approximately 0.5% of GDP, investments exceed the 2025 level - particularly those financed from European funds, which increase from 78 billion lei to over 100 billion lei, agerpres reports.
'We must have a realistic budget. We cannot afford slippages, unfunded spending or measures without proper coverage that offer only false hope to vulnerable citizens. The objective is to reduce the state's borrowing needs, strengthen confidence and create the conditions for more favourable financing - all of this for a genuinely better standard of living for Romanians. The 2026 budget is not about promises, but about stability, investment and discipline. The way we construct this budget sends signals about Romania's credibility and seriousness. It is a budget that supports healthy, long-term economic growth,' the minister said.
He underlined that this marks the shift from a model based on consumption and current expenditure to one based on investment, European funds and fiscal discipline.
The minister also added that the budget is 'realistic and honest', drafted without gimmicks and without additional fiscal pressure in 2026, after previously adopted corrective measures (including the elimination of IMCA and adjustments to the micro-enterprise regime) stabilised the revenue base and enabled credible, investment-oriented budget planning.
At the same time, it is a budget of moderation and administrative responsibility, in which reform of the public sector and the reduction of bonuses (for hazardous conditions, European funds and doctoral qualifications) will lead to a lower share of current expenditure in GDP and create genuine fiscal space for development.
'It is a budget for accelerated development, raising the share of investment above last year's record level of 7.2% of GDP and increasing by approximately 30% the budget financed from European funds, integrating the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), cohesion policy and the SAFE component. It is a budget dedicated to communities and local public authorities, with a historic level of resources - 84 billion lei compared to 76 billion lei in 2025 - and with around 70% of European funds directed towards local and regional projects, thus ensuring the necessary co-financing and the continuity of investment across the country.
'It is a budget oriented towards the business environment and economic recovery - both through the investment funds entering the economy and by stimulating productive investment, deductions for reinvested profit and modern state aid schemes and tax credits dedicated to industry, resource exploitation, innovation and the return of human capital from abroad to Romania. I know that needs are significant across all sectors, which is precisely why it is essential to remain anchored in realism and responsibility. I am convinced that, through dialogue, transparency and cooperation, we will soon adopt a solid budget that will provide Romania with stability, credibility and a clear direction for development,' Nazare underscored.
The governing coalition has decided that a full-format meeting to close the budget will take place on Wednesday, in order to finalise all chapters and adopt the version agreed at coalition level.
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