Companies investing in spa resorts will be able to benefit from a non-reimbursable aid of up to 200,000 EUR
Companies investing in spa resorts will be able to benefit, in the next 2 years, from a non-reimbursable government aid of at most 200,000 EUR, for expanding accommodation, treatment, or leisure capacities, the acquisition of means of transport or medical equipment, as well as for the professional training of personnel.
The budget of the de minimis scheme, which is to be approved by the Government, is 130 million EUR annually, a period in which an average number of 100 beneficiary companies is estimated.
At the end of last year, through emergency ordinance no. 114, which established several taxes in the banking, energy, and telecommunications sectors, the Government approved the “Investment financing program for the modernization and development of spa resorts.”
According to the project, financing within the de minimis scheme will involve granting a non-reimbursable aid, respectively a grant, in a proportion of 50% of eligible expenses and up to a maximum of 200,000 EUR, for expenses targeting the economic activities of investors in spa resorts.
The de minimis aid scheme has a multi-annual character and will run until December 31, 2020, with the possibility of extension in relation to European regulations.
The budget of the de minimis scheme is 130 million EUR annually, and in the budget draft for 2019, commitment credits of 400 million RON and budget credits of 80 million RON were proposed for this measure.
The following categories of expenses will be considered eligible for state aid:
a) construction, expansion, and rehabilitation of public catering and accommodation tourist capacities, as well as spa treatment capacities, which the respective commercial companies own;
b) construction, expansion, and rehabilitation of health, cultural, sports, and leisure objectives in spa resorts;
c) acquisition of equipment, furniture, and medical apparatus specific to spa treatments;
d) acquisition of passenger transport means, usable exclusively for tourist purposes;
e) creation of tourist information centers and their equipment;
f) other investment objectives through which commercial companies contribute to the development of the respective spa resort;
g) expenses regarding the professional training of persons with qualifications in the HORECA field and persons with medical-sanitary training, as well as expenses for newly created jobs for medical-sanitary personnel.
Source: Profit
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum amount of non-reimbursable aid?
Companies can benefit from a de minimis aid of up to 200,000 EUR, covering 50% of eligible expenses.
What types of investments are eligible for funding?
Eligible investments include the construction and modernization of accommodation and treatment units, medical equipment, and staff training.
How long is this aid scheme available?
The de minimis scheme is scheduled to run until December 31, 2020, with the possibility of extension based on European regulations.