european-semester-documents-romania

European Spring Package 2026

The European Semester is an annual exercise that coordinates the EU's economic and social policies. Based on the analysis conducted every year by the Commission, each Member State receives a set of Country Specific Recommendations (CSRs), where policy action is needed. In Romania, these include:

Romania’s economy is converging toward the EU average, on the back of growing income and productivity, but weak innovation and regional gaps hold back growth. Strengthening national and local public administration, promoting private investment and improving transport links would unlock potential and reduce regional inequalities.
Deficit reduction in 2025 was significant but has to continue. Better controlling public investments, tightening VAT/CIT collection, reforming public-sector wages, and fully implementing pension reforms would help limit fiscal risks.
Despite recent progress in decarbonising the energy sector, the economy remains carbon-heavy; renewables are rising, but fossil fuels predominate and are behind high energy prices. Improving electricity networks and connections, phasing out subsidies for fossil fuel, modernising heating systems, and renovating buildings would cut bills and emissions, and enhance competitiveness.
While support measures are improving, labour market participation of women, youth, and disabled persons remains limited. Investing in education, skills development and vocational training, expanding childcare and introducing flexible work schemes could improve access to jobs and employment opportunities.
Poverty and long-term care shortages are still affecting vulnerable groups, especially children and dependent persons. Investing in community-based services and qualified staff would reduce reliance on informal care.

European Semester Spring Package 2026 - Two-page summary

Country report

Published as part of the Spring Package, country reports provide a detailed analysis of each Member State’s economic and social developments and challenges and assess the extent these are addressed by national policies. Additionally, the reports review the implementation of country-specific recommendations from previous Semester cycles.

2026 Country Report - Romania

Country-specific recommendations

Published as part of the Spring Package, the Country-specific recommendations (CSRs) provide tailored guidance to each Member State, suggesting socio-economic and fiscal policy actions to be taken over the next year. The Commission develops the CSRs based on the country reports and its review of the national policy plans submitted by Member States. The draft recommendations are then further discussed by the Council which reaches consensus on a final version over the summer.

The recommendations focus on policy areas that face persistent challenges or are only partially addressed by national policy plans. CSR can cover a wide range of topics, including public finances, pension system reforms, education, innovation challenges, job creation or addressing unemployment.

2026 European Semester:
Country Specific Recommendations / Commission Recommendations

Draft budgetary plan

By mid-October, eurozone Member States are required to submit their draft budgets for the following year to the Commission and the Eurogroup. The Commission assesses their compliance with the CSRs, the agreed net expenditure path and the requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact.

Draft budgets that do not align with past CSRs are addressed in the Opinions on the Draft budgetary Plans, published as part of the Autumn Package. Member States adopt their new national budgets at the end of the year.

Draft budgetary plans 2026

National reform programme (until 2023)

After receiving guidance from the Autumn Package, Member States submit their national policy plans for assessment ahead of the Spring Package. The national reform programme outlines the structural economic reforms that the Member State intends to implement, with a focus on future policies to strengthen employment and growth and prevent or correct macroeconomic imbalances. The programme should also indicate how the planned policies comply with the country-specific recommendations of previous European Semester cycles.

As of 2024, the national reform programmes will be replaced by the medium-term fiscal structural plans.

General publications (26 April 2023):
Romania - National Reform Programme 2023