Romania launches ‘Lift pentru viață’ accessibility program

Romania has launched the ‘Lift pentru viață’ (Lift for Life) National Housing Accessibility Program, effective August 19, 2026. The initiative allows homeowners' associations in apartment buildings with three or more floors to apply for funding to install elevators, lifting platforms, ramps, or mechanized stairs.

To be eligible, buildings must not have been originally designed with elevators and must not be classified as historical monuments or located in high seismic risk zones (RsI or RsII). For buildings in seismic risk zones, elevator installation may be integrated into national seismic consolidation works. Eligibility also requires the presence of at least one elderly person, a person with reduced mobility or disability, or a family caring for a preschool-aged child living above the ground floor.

The program begins with an 18-month pilot phase targeting a maximum of 100 condominiums, with two buildings selected from each county. Funding will be sourced from European funds, the state budget, and local budgets. Following the pilot, the program is intended to expand nationwide. Local authorities will manage the works through mandate contracts signed with homeowners' associations or, if an association is unavailable, with two-thirds of the property owners.