Business Forum • 24 June, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Romania recorded strong performance in 2025 in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), in contrast with the general trend in Europe, where the number of projects fell and job creation slowed. According to the Attractiveness Survey Romania 2026, conducted by EY Romania is consolidating its role in the region, but investors are becoming more cautious about future decisions.
In 2025, FDI flows into Romania returned to €8.1 billion, while the number of announced projects rose 16% to 109, and FDI-generated jobs advanced 39% to 5,710. This places Romania 11th in Europe by number of projects and 12th by number of jobs created, contrasting with the 7% drop in FDI projects across Europe. Expansion investments grew to represent 55% of total projects, doubling compared with the previous year. This dynamic was driven mainly by investors already present in the market, who chose to expand operations after validating local conditions such as workforce, costs and the operating environment. Industrial sectors such as equipment and machinery remain dominant, alongside digital fields such as software and IT services, while growth in transport and logistics indicates Romania's role in European supply chains.
For the coming period, investor sentiment remains favourable but more reserved. While 52% of respondents expect Romania's attractiveness to improve, only 5% anticipate significant growth, and 41% of companies plan investments or expansions, down from previous years. In addition, 34% of investors postponed, reduced or cancelled plans in the past year. Romania continues to be perceived positively due to workforce availability and quality, fiscal competitiveness, low operating costs and strategic geographic position. However, investors are paying increased attention to macroeconomic and political stability, infrastructure, regulatory complexity, access to financing and energy costs. The main challenge is transforming potential into concrete investment projects.
The study also highlights the growing role of technology. Among investors, 53% consider that AI has contributed to Romania's attractiveness, but 39% perceive it as less competitive compared with other global markets. To become a relevant hub in this field, Romania must accelerate development of technological infrastructure, advanced skills, access to capital for innovative companies and the regulatory framework.
"The 2025 results show that Romania can perform in a difficult European context and that existing investors trust to expand their operations. At the same time, the 2026 message is more nuanced: capital is becoming more selective, and investment decisions depend increasingly on predictability, coherence of public policy and execution capacity. Romania still has solid assets – talent, competitive costs and strategic positioning – but the next stage no longer concerns potential, but the extent to which we deliver according to expectations. Investors are not looking for perfect markets, but for credible markets," said Bogdan Ion, Country Managing Partner, EY Romania.