Romania’s new state budget takes shape
The bill will be passed by the Romanian government in mid-February
Daniela Budu, 21.01.2026, 14:00
Just like in 2025, Romania entered the new year without a state budget approved in due time. The authorities announce however that it is taking shape and will be passed by the government in the second half of February, in a form agreed by all parties in the ruling coalition, based on a 6% deficit target and a roughly 1% economic growth rate.
The finance minister Alexandru Nazare says that this year’s budget must be accurate and must reflect the actual level of public spending, without overestimating revenues:
Alexandru Nazare: “Our goal for 2026 is to have a budget for recovery, for investments. We expect over EUR 10 billion under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan alone. It is very important to turn these projections into actual spending and to step up spending by each individual release authority. The economic growth rate is put at around 1% for 2026, with the GDP expected to reach approx. EUR 409 billion. As for the deficit target, it is around 6%, and is still under discussion. After we have concluded all talks with the release authorities and with the European Commission, we will have a final deficit target, but it will be along the lines announced previously.”
In turn, the deputy PM Radu Miruţă stated that Romania is finally on a much more correct path for the country’s budget. In a social media post, he thanked all those who have understood in the last six months how complicated the budget issue is and that Romania is not fully operational. The Romanian official admitted that we have not completely overcome this difficult period, but he stressed that efforts are being made for the country to have a balanced, honest and realistic budget, within the limits of what we can afford. Concurrently with the effort to adjust expenditure, work is being done towards real economic growth, Radu Miruţă said.
As suggested by the Social Democratic Party, local elected officials will also have a say in this year’s budget, after local taxes were raised as of January 1. Local authorities would like the money to be kept in local budgets for the co-financing of EU-funded projects intended for community development. The Social Democratic president Sorin Grindeanu says that these days talks are held with representatives of all parties, and a common position could be reached by next week.
In the opposition, AUR party criticises the delay in passing the budget bill and accuses the government of a lack of responsibility towards citizens. The Senator Niculina Stelea believes this year’s budget should prioritise education, healthcare, support for families, investments in the Romanian economy, and an end to excessive spending in public institutions. (AMP)
