Business Forum • 22 May, 2026 at 8:00 AM
The European Commission (EC) has finalised the signing of the SAFE loan agreement with Romania.
Through this agreement, Romania will access €16.68 billion in European financing, the second-largest allocation in the European Union under the SAFE instrument, after Poland. The programme is designed for major investments in defence, strategic infrastructure and strengthening the European defence industry.
The SAFE instrument allows member states to access European loans under favourable conditions for urgent security and defence investments. For Romania, the financing covers equipment projects, military technology, associated infrastructure and strategically relevant transport projects. According to the plan submitted to the EC, the allocation includes approximately €4.2 billion for national road transport infrastructure, with the remainder dedicated to equipment and infrastructure projects in defence and security.
"The signing of the agreement by the EC confirms that Romania has completed the necessary steps on time to access one of the most important European financing programmes dedicated to security," said Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare. "We are talking about €16.68 billion that can support defence, strategic infrastructure, the national industry and jobs in sectors with high added value. Through SAFE, Romania is not only investing in defence and security, but creating perhaps the most important opportunity in recent decades for connecting Moldova to major European infrastructure."
Romania signed the agreement on 12 May 2026, based on government and presidential approval of the memorandum. The first drawdown can be requested in October 2026, with the loan availability period running until 31 December 2030. After the agreement enters into force, the EC can provide Romania with pre-financing of 15% of the loan, approximately €2.5 billion. Each tranche will have a 45-year maturity with a 10-year grace period.