Diaspora Investește Acasă
Up to €200,000 in non-refundable grants for Romanians abroad who invest back home.
A new program by the Romanian Ministry of Finance, implemented through Banca de Investiții și Dezvoltare (BID), that turns diaspora capital and expertise into productive investments inside Romania — with grants covering up to 60% of an investment loan.
What is Diaspora Investește Acasă?
Romanians abroad represent a major economic resource — financial capital, managerial experience, and skills gained in advanced economies. Until now, no dedicated mechanism existed to channel that capital into entrepreneurial projects at home.
The Romanian Government has approved the program Diaspora Investește Acasă, mandating Banca de Investiții și Dezvoltare (BID) to grant de-minimis aid in the form of non-refundable grants that reduce the principal of investment loans extended to newly-formed companies owned by Romanians living abroad.
The aim is to convert diaspora savings into productive investments, create jobs in less-developed regions, and reverse part of the human-capital drain caused by emigration.
Who is eligible?
Diaspora-owned company
Newly-incorporated Romanian SME with share capital majority-held by Romanian citizens residing abroad (domiciliu sau reședință în străinătate).
Productive investment
Investment projects in the sectors covered by BID's de-minimis scheme — including manufacturing, services, technology, agriculture and tourism.
Investment loan via partner bank
Financing extended by a financial intermediary partnered with BID, with the grant reducing the loan balance after the investment is completed.
De-minimis ceiling
Standard EU de-minimis rules apply. Grants are awarded between 2026 and 2029 within the budget approved by the Ministry of Finance.
How the program works
- 1
Incorporate the eligible Romanian SME
A new Romanian company is incorporated with majority share capital held by Romanian citizens living abroad — the qualifying ownership for the program.
- 2
Build the investment project
Define the productive investment (equipment, facilities, intangibles, working capital) within the sectors eligible under BID's de-minimis scheme.
- 3
Apply for an investment loan via a BID-partner bank
A financial intermediary partnered with BID assesses and grants an investment loan of up to 10 years, with final maturity no later than 31.12.2037.
- 4
Complete the investment
Funds are deployed and the investment is implemented as approved in the loan and grant application.
- 5
Receive the grant — up to 60% (max €200,000)
After the investment is completed and while the loan is active, the grant is paid by BID on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, directly reducing the loan principal.
- 6
Updated repayment schedule
The bank reduces the outstanding loan balance by the grant amount and updates your repayment schedule — lowering both your debt service and your effective cost of capital.
How CARO helps
From diaspora capital to a funded Romanian company
CARO Investment Management acts as your bridge between Canada and Romania. We structure your investment vehicle, prepare a bankable business plan, and coordinate with BID-partner banks so your application meets every eligibility criterion of the program.
- Eligibility screening & shareholding structuring
- Business plan & financial model preparation
- Selection of the right BID-partner lender
- Grant application support and follow-through
- Post-investment compliance & reporting
- Connection to CARO's portfolio & networks
Program details summarized from the public draft Government Decision for the approval of the Diaspora Investește Acasă program (Ministerul Finanțelor, May 2026). Final terms, sector list, and application process will be published by Banca de Investiții și Dezvoltare (BID) once the scheme receives the opinion of the Romanian Competition Council. This page is informational and is not a public offer or financial advice.