Sunday, 1 February 2026
Romania has adopted Law No. 4/2026 approving Government Emergency Ordinance No. 62/2025, establishing the national legal framework required to implement the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument. The legislation aligns Romanian procedures with Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1106 and enables access to EU SAFE financing for defence and strategic investments.
Under the SAFE programme, Romania has been allocated approximately EUR 16.68 billion, representing the second-largest national allocation among EU member states. The funding is intended to support defence modernisation while also financing critical infrastructure projects with strategic relevance.
The newly adopted framework sets out the responsibilities of relevant public authorities and defines the procedural, coordination and procurement rules applicable to projects financed through SAFE. It aims to ensure compliance with EU requirements while facilitating the rapid implementation of urgent and large-scale public investments in the defence sector.
SAFE funding is provided in the form of long-term, favourable loans, featuring extended maturities and grace periods designed to limit short-term pressure on public finances during the defence modernisation process.
As approved by Parliament, GEO 62/2025 introduces several key measures. These include defining the roles of public authorities involved in the planning, coordination and implementation of SAFE-eligible projects; regulating institutional cooperation between ministries, the Supreme Defence Council and other relevant bodies; and establishing specific public procurement rules for defence and security projects covered by SAFE, including provisions reflecting urgency linked to the current security environment.
The legislation also introduces procedures governing industrial cooperation, with the aim of supporting local production and increasing the participation of domestic industry in strategic investments. In addition, it provides for special rules and exemptions applicable to procurement procedures financed through SAFE, including derogations from offset regulations that normally apply under Romania’s defence procurement framework.
Romania’s investment plan under SAFE has already been approved by the European Commission. The authorities plan to allocate the available EUR 16.7 billion across a broad range of defence and strategic priorities, combining military capability development with industrial and infrastructure investment.
A significant portion of the funding is expected to be directed towards the acquisition of advanced defence equipment and the strengthening of national defence capabilities. At the same time, the programme is intended to support the domestic defence industry by expanding local production capacities and strengthening integration into European defence supply chains.
In parallel, Romania plans to channel substantial resources into large-scale dual-use infrastructure projects, particularly strategic highway corridors aimed at improving military mobility and regional connectivity.
Source: CMS
