Economy
Romania's GDP drops 1.7% in Q1 2026
Romania's GDP fell by 0.2% in Q1 2026 compared to the previous quarter, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
Romania's annual inflation rate reached 10.7% in April 2026 compared to April 2025, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
Agroland Business System has received approval from Romania's Commission for the Examination of Foreign Direct Investments (CEFDI) for a €20 million greenfield investment in egg production. The new facility will be located in Mihăilești, Giurgiu County.
Ascendia, a Romanian company specialising in digital infrastructure for education and public institutions, announced that its educational content creation platform LIVRESQ has been accepted into the Google for Startups Scale Tier.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) will advise Antibiotice, Romania's largest pharmaceutical company with majority Romanian capital, on strengthening its corporate governance to support future growth. Under a new advisory services agreement, the EIB will work with Antibiotice to align its risk-management framework and business operations with international best practice in the pharmaceutical sector.
Penny Romania ended 2025 with revenue of RON 10.6 billion lei (€2.1 billion), marking a 12.01% increase compared to the previous year. The discount retailer opened 40 new stores, reaching 456 units nationwide, and completed its fifth logistics centre in Mihăilești, Giurgiu County.
MSD has appointed Conor Dempsey as Managing Director for Romania and Moldova operations. He succeeds Marcelo Pascual Morales, who was appointed Associate Vice President & Executive Officer of MSD Japan.
E.ON Energie Romania plans to invest approximately €120 million over the next five years, primarily in developing its portfolio of energy solutions including photovoltaic systems, heat pumps, energy efficiency measures and electric mobility infrastructure.
New car registrations in Romania increased by 2.7% in April compared to the same period in 2025, while electrified vehicles reported a 26% increase and a 68% market share, according to preliminary data from the Association of Car Producers and Importers (APIA).
Romania's trade deficit fell 9.3% to €7.7 billion in the first three months of 2026, down €792.1 million compared to the same period in 2025, according to data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INS).
Sphera Franchise Group has acquired the franchise rights for wagamama, the pan-Asian restaurant brand, to develop the concept in Romania. The franchise will be implemented through a newly established company wholly owned by Sphera Franchise Group.
DS Smith, the producer of packaging solutions, is investing over €14 million in its Romanian production infrastructure.
Visual Fan has entered the shareholding of Solbess, a company active in electricity production.
Romania recorded the most significant increase in industrial electricity costs across the EU during H2 2025, according to data released by Eurostat.
Rezolv Energy has commissioned the St. George solar park in Silistra, near the Bulgaria-Romania border. Built on a former airport site, the €270 million project transforms abandoned land into a renewable energy facility.
Polish pharmaceutical company Zakłady Farmaceutyczne Polpharma has agreed to launch a voluntary public takeover offer (VTO) for all shares of Romanian drugmaker Biofarm, according to a regulatory filing.
Romanian state-owned gas company Romgaz has reached an agreement in principle with fertilizer producer Azomureș regarding the acquisition of its operational activity as a transfer of a going concern.
Romania ranks first in the European Union for the real burden of electricity prices, with a nominal value 21% above the European average, according to an analysis published by the Intelligent Energy Association (AEI).
German defence group Rheinmetall is considering acquiring the bankrupt shipyard in Mangalia, in partnership with Swiss shipping company MSC. The potential takeover could transform the facility into a dual-use hub for military and civilian shipbuilding.
NEPI Rockcastle said its Q1 net rental and related income (NOI) reached €157.7 million, up 3.4% versus Q1 2025. Property NOI increased 3.2% to €155.4 million, while net revenue from energy activities rose to €2.3 million, reflecting the scaling of the group's renewable energy platform.
Industrial developer CTP has signed an agreement with Leroy Merlin Romania to expand its regional distribution centre at CTPark Bucharest West to 48,500 sqm.
Romania's retail market experienced a challenging Q1 2026, according to a report by Cushman & Wakefield Echinox. While macroeconomic indicators reflect a period of adjustment, the high street segment and medium-term development pipeline remain robust.
Speedwell and Strabag have signed a construction contract for the development of Queens District, a mixed-use project in northern Bucharest. Strabag will serve as general contractor for the office and residential buildings and will relocate its Bucharest HQ to the project under a long-term lease agreement.
Administrative costs for modern office buildings in Romania are set to rise by approximately 10% in 2026 compared to last year, according to Colliers. The increases stem from higher property taxes, inflation and rising wages, with utility costs excluded as these are typically billed separately.
Business leaders from finance, energy, technology, real estate and professional services will gather in Bucharest next week to discuss how companies can navigate economic uncertainty, technological disruption and shifting market dynamics. Bucharest Business Forum 2026 brings together senior executives, investors and decision-makers for an afternoon focused on leadership, transformation and long-term growth opportunities.
Real estate developer Park Properties has announced the start of construction works for SunLake Snagov Signature Collection, a high-end residential complex located on the shore of Lake Snagov, near Bucharest.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has signed an agreement with Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) to acquire approximately 10% of the shares of Carpathia Pensii, a Romanian private pension company.
Romania's Ministry of Finance will launch the fifth edition of its Fidelis government bond programme from 8-15 May 2026, offering tax-free yields of up to 7.50% for lei-denominated bonds and up to 6.25% for euro-denominated issues.
The Romanian leu depreciated on Wednesday against the euro, which was calculated by the National Bank of Romania (BNR) at RON 5.2688, up 0.97% from the previous rate, recording a new historic high.
Raiffeisen Bank Romania concluded Q1 2026 with a net profit of RON 367 million (€73.4 million), a decrease of 12.2% versus Q1 2025.
The Romanian leu depreciated on Monday against the euro, which was calculated by the National Bank of Romania (BNR) at RON 5.1998 lei, up 1.1% from the previous rate, recording a new historic high.
BCR Group recorded a net profit of €118 million in Q1 2026, down 21% versus the same period of last year.
Romania's consolidated general budget recorded a deficit of €4.2 billion in the first quarter of 2026, representing 1.03% of GDP, compared to a deficit of €8.7 billion (2.28% of GDP) in the same period of 2025 over revenue growth and expenditure control.
The Ministry of Finance raised over RON1.9 billion (€379 million) through its fourth Fidelis government bond offering this year, marking the highest value raised in 2026.
Real estate developer Park Properties has announced the start of construction works for SunLake Snagov Signature Collection, a high-end residential complex located on the shore of Lake Snagov, near Bucharest.
Romania's industrial and logistics market reached over 8 million sqm in Q1 2026, with approximately 115,000 sqm of new space delivered. At the same time, around 500,000 sqm are currently under construction, according to Cushman & Wakefield Echinox's report.
