Updated: 3 October 2026, based on official information published by the Romanian Ministry of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism (MEDAT).
Planning to open a coffee shop or a small HoReCa business in Romania? The Start-Up Nation – Romania programme offers non-repayable funding for newly founded companies. Here is what you need to know about the current edition and how we can help.
What Start-Up Nation 4th edition is
- A MEDAT programme, implemented through the Agencies for Small and Medium Enterprises and Tourism (AIMMT), approved by Ordinance no. 29/2024.
- Funded from European funds through the Education and Employment Programme 2021–2027, as de minimis aid.
- Run exclusively online, on the minimis.imm.gov.ro platform.
How much you can get
- Up to 250,000 lei (about 50,000 euro) for a newly founded company.
- The grant covers at most 90% of eligible costs, so you need at least a 10% own contribution.
- After signing the contract you can receive an advance of up to 50% of the grant, through the partner bank you choose.
Who can take part
- Young people aged 18 to under 30, regardless of their employment status, including people who have returned to Romania. For the October 2026 course session, the ministry announces young people aged 18 to 29.
- Places reserved for members of the Roma minority.
- Minimum education: completed lower secondary school.
- In the first session, people over 30 from groups disadvantaged on the labour market were also eligible.
Programme steps
- Free 40-hour entrepreneurship course, online or in person, with a certificate accredited by the Ministry of Labour. Completing it is mandatory before applying for funding.
- Setting up the company and applying for funding with a business plan.
- The funding contract is signed electronically in the platform, within 40 days of the admission decision, together with proof of co-financing (bank statement, loan approval or loan contract).
- Project implementation and expense reimbursement.
Course registration: from 6 October 2026
Registration for the free courses reopens on 6 October 2026 at 10:00, on minimis.imm.gov.ro, for 17,600 places. The session stays open for 30 days and may be extended until all places are filled.
| Category | Places |
|---|---|
| Aged 18 to under 30, living in Bucharest-Ilfov | 950 |
| Aged 18 to under 30, Roma minority, Bucharest-Ilfov | 300 |
| Aged 18 to under 30, less developed regions (excluding Bucharest-Ilfov) | 13,500 |
| Aged 18 to under 30, Roma minority, less developed regions | 2,850 |
What you can fund for a coffee shop
According to the official announcement, and subject to the programme rules, funding can cover:
- technological equipment and machinery (for example espresso machines, grinders, bar equipment);
- furniture and office equipment, IT equipment and solutions, software and licences;
- a website and online shop;
- renewable energy systems and solutions for reducing resource use;
- salaries, utilities, accounting services, rent for production spaces, consultancy and certain vehicles.
Current status (October 2026)
- 28 September 2026: signing of funding contracts began for 3,140 beneficiaries of the first session of the 4th edition, with resources of about 800 million lei.
- 6 October 2026: registration for the entrepreneurship courses reopens for the next stage.
How we can help
- Business plan consultancy for your coffee shop.
- An offer of coffee shop equipment that fits your project budget.
- Support with submitting and implementing the project.
Write to us at comenzi@cafetaria.ro or call +40 786 224 441.
Official sources
- Programme page, 4th edition (imm.gov.ro)
- MEDAT press release, 28 September 2026: contract signing for 3,140 beneficiaries
- MEDAT press release, 30 September 2026: course registration starts on 6 October
- Registration platform: minimis.imm.gov.ro
This text is an informative summary. The full conditions are in the official implementation procedure; always check the official sources before applying.