Romania rolls out pension aid and diaspora return incentives in 2026

The Romanian government approved a social support program for pensioners earning up to 3,000 lei. About 2.8 million retirees will receive two automatic payments – the first in May and the second in December – with the highest amount granted to those earning 1,500 lei or less. Payments are transferred directly with pensions via the postal service or bank accounts.

A separate package targets Romanians living abroad. The state offers relocation subsidies of up to 15,500 lei for returning families and a “Diaspora Invests at Home” scheme that provides grants covering up to 60 % of investment costs, capped at €200,000 per applicant, from a €100 million fund. The program also includes monthly allowances for employers hiring returned migrants.

At the EU level, new measures aim to ease labour shortages by introducing a single work‑and‑residence permit and a digital Talent Reserve platform for non‑EU workers. Member states must transpose the rules by May 2026, with the system expected to be fully operational by the end of 2027.