Want to stay informed about the most important events in the Romanian economy but don't have hours to read? In the new Omnibus section, every Monday we summarize the 10 most important news items from last week that define the region’s business environment.
1. Inflation could jump above 10% in March: According to ING Bank’s analysis, Romania’s inflation rate could cross the 10% threshold with the release of March data. Although the inflation rate plateaued at 9.3% in February, energy prices and international tensions are putting fresh pressure on consumer prices.
2. Oil Panic: Price per barrel exceeds $100 Due to tensions in the Middle East, the price of Brent crude oil jumped from $70 to over $100 in a short period. This brought immediate price hikes at Romanian gas stations (diesel increased by an average of 15 bani per liter) and forecasts a significant increase in costs for transport companies.
3. Record public investments in the 2026 budget: The draft 2026 state budget has been released, allocating a record 165.8 billion RON (more than 8% of GDP) for public investments. The government aims to maintain economic growth through development rather than stimulating consumption.
4. Restructuring of the ANAF audit system: The president of the Tax Authority (ANAF) announced that audits will be conducted by sector in the future, and criteria will be published before inspections begin. The goal is to increase transparency, allowing companies the opportunity for voluntary compliance.
5. New support programs for SMEs: The Ministry of Economy has secured several new grants in the budget: the SME Eco-Tech program (for green technologies) is launching, Start-Up Nation 4 continues, and payments are expected for the Woman Entrepreneur (Femeia Antreprenor) program.
6. ROePAS digital gateway launched: The ADR (Authority for the Digitalization of Romania) launched the roepas.ro portal. This single digital entry point helps citizens and companies access all public services and online administrative options in one place.
7. Strict fines for lack of cybersecurity: Under the NIS2 directive, companies that fail to register with the DNSC (National Cyber Security Directorate) could face fines of up to 500,000 RON. It is advisable to check if your business falls within the strategic sectors involved.
8. Depreciation threshold for fixed assets doubled: According to a government decree at the end of February (OUG 8/2026), the entry threshold for fixed assets increased from 2,500 RON to 5,000 RON. This significantly modifies accounting rules and the calculation of the taxable base for purchases.
9. Attention: March 31 deadline for the food waste report Entrepreneurs in the food industry and HoReCa must submit a report by the end of this month regarding the measures implemented last year to reduce food waste. Failure to comply may result in heavy penalties.
10. Labor market duality: Vacancies vs. Layoffs While ANAF is struggling with over 4,000 vacant positions, the number of collective redundancies has increased in the private sector. In January alone, companies nationwide announced the mass layoff of more than 4,700 employees due to deteriorating market outlooks.
+1. Minimum wage increase from July: The government approved the 2026 budget proposal in an extraordinary session, which has now been forwarded to Parliament for a vote. One of the most important provisions is the increase of the gross national minimum wage to 4,325 RON starting July 1, 2026 (representing a 275 RON hike). Consequently, the net minimum wage will reach 2,699 RON, including the 200 RON tax-exempt deduction.
Did you find our summary useful? Share it with your fellow entrepreneurs! See you next Monday with the next edition of Omnibus Weekly Focus.
