Romania's PNRR at risk of losing €8.7 bn as investment shortfall disclosed

Economist Adrian Negrescu said the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) has become a "major investment failure" for Romania. The programme, initially budgeted at €29 billion, has so far delivered only 61% of the recalculated funds and just 44% of the original amount. Romania has received €13 billion, but an estimated €8.7 billion remains at risk of being lost if the remaining conditions are not met before the absolute deadline at the end of August 2026.

Negrescu highlighted that 95% of the implementation period has already passed, with delays attributed to complex administrative procedures, political instability and lack of strategic impact studies. He warned that €500 million has already been lost from payment request three and that a renegotiation in 2025 trimmed €7 billion from the available funds. The remaining funds must be secured through urgent parliamentary action and legislative reforms.