On May 30, 2019, the Government approved the establishment of a de minimis aid scheme for financing the “Investment, Modernization, and Infrastructure Development Program in Spa or Balneoclimatic Resorts.”
The maximum annual budget of the de minimis scheme is represented by the RON equivalent of EUR 130 million, and the budget allocated for 2019 is 400 million RON in commitment appropriations and 80 million RON in budget appropriations for making payments based on issued legal commitments, the Government announced in a statement.
Through the Program, each beneficiary can be granted a non-reimbursable financial allocation of maximum EUR 200,000, representing a maximum of 50% of the value of eligible expenses, excluding VAT, related to the project.
Through the implementation of the Program, it is estimated that de minimis aid will be granted to a minimum of 1,300 beneficiaries.
The government program aims to stimulate and encourage investments in medical-spa and recovery units, to contribute to the creation or modernization of related public utility infrastructures, to the creation of new jobs, as well as the qualification and professionalization of personnel active in the field.
The aid scheme is valid for concluding legal commitments until December 31, 2020, with the possibility of extension until December 31, 2022, in compliance with national and European provisions in the field of state aid.
Funding is provided from sums allocated from the state budget, through the budget of the General Secretariat of the Government, for the National Commission for Strategy and Prognosis, CNSP.
The object of the financing must fall into one or more of the following eligible expenses: construction, expansion, and rehabilitation of tourist catering and accommodation capacities, as well as spa treatment capacities; construction, expansion, and rehabilitation of health, cultural, sports, and leisure facilities in spa resorts; purchase of equipment, furniture, and medical apparatus specific to spa treatments. Also, other eligible expenses are: construction, expansion, and rehabilitation of tourist information centers and their equipment; other investment objectives through which commercial companies contribute to the development of the respective spa resort; expenses for the acquisition and implementation of professional training and qualification programs for workers in public catering units and hotel units and for health specialists, employees of the beneficiary and involved in the implementation of the financed project.
In addition, another requirement is the salary income realized for 12 months for each new job created and occupied by health specialists, following the implementation of the project up to the minimum value of 12 gross average salaries in the economy, as well as the employer’s related mandatory contributions, according to the legal provisions in force.
Beneficiaries are obliged to maintain the investments made with financing through the Program for at least 10 years from accessing the sums from this program; otherwise, beneficiaries will fully reimburse the sums obtained as financial support according to the legislation in the field of state aid.
Source: Profit
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum amount of financial aid available?
Each beneficiary can receive a non-reimbursable financial allocation of up to EUR 200,000, representing a maximum of 50% of eligible project expenses.
What types of expenses are eligible under this program?
Eligible costs include the construction and rehabilitation of tourist and treatment facilities, the purchase of medical equipment, and professional training programs for staff.
How long must the investment be maintained?
Beneficiaries are required to maintain the investments made through the program for at least 10 years after accessing the funds.