• At the request of our readers, who indicated the need for information clear and precise regarding the conditions for implementing projects financed through this state aid and de minimis scheme, we have sent some questions to the Ministry of Investments and European Projects. Below you will find the authorities' response.
Following your request registered with the Ministry of Investments and European Projects with no. G2025-73816/25.06.2025, we hereby communicate the response of the specialized structure within MIPE:
1. Deadlines for verifying SME status
According to the provisions of GEO No. 18/2023, the verification of the applicants' classification in the SME category is carried out by the partner credit institutions (banks), with the result of this verification being approved by MIPE and transmitted to the beneficiaries within a maximum of 2 working days.
In the context of delays noted at the MIPE level, a notice was issued Order no. 1935/26.06.2025, to clarify the procedure – regulated, moreover, by contractual clauses (art. 2 paragraph (3) and art. 6 letter C paragraph 2 of the financing contract).
MIPE has taken numerous steps towards partner banking institutions to expedite verifications regarding SME classification, in order to recover the delays recorded.
The aforementioned order, as well as the message from Minister Dragoș Pîslaru, can be consulted at the following links:
- Order 1935/2025 – supplementing the Guide for the Digitalization of SMEs
- Minister Dragoș Pîslaru's message to the beneficiaries
- Recording of the Guide presentation session – Facebook MIPE
2. Allowed preliminary activities
According to art. 11¹³ of MIPE Order no. 1935/26.06.2025, the conclusion of the financing contract is carried out based on the self-declaration regarding the classification in the SME category, with the official verification to be carried out later.
After signing the contract by both parties, the beneficiary can start implementing the project starting the next day, assuming the risk of a possible termination or reduction of funding in the event of an unfavorable outcome of the SME verification.
According to CRI Instruction no. 4/28.10.2024, the actual implementation of the project begins on the day following the signing of the contract by the last signatory party. In contrast, the financial execution (i.e., payments to suppliers) can only take place after the expiry of the term provided for in art. 6 letter. C paragraph. 2 and art. 2 paragraph. 3 of the contract (term of 45 days from signing).
According to Order 1935/2025, art. 11¹³ and 11¹⁵:
- payments can be made after the 45 days have expired, even if the notification regarding the SME status has not yet been received;
- Transfer requests, however, cannot be submitted until after receiving official notification regarding classification in the SME category.
3. Impact of the delay on implementation
By Order No. 1935/26.06.2025, beneficiaries may request, by notification, the extension of the implementation period by a maximum of 6 months, provided that it does not exceed 31.12.2025.
To prevent delays in the verification and analysis stages of transfer requests, MIPE organized a meeting with banking partners, following which they committed to supplementing the staff involved in the evaluation process.
4. Transparency and communication with beneficiaries
All correspondence regarding the implementation of PNRR projects is carried out exclusively through the PNRR platform, according to MIPE Instruction No. 4/28.10.2024.
Communication between the beneficiary, CRI and banking partners is carried out exclusively through the platform, by the legal representative or the person mentioned in the financing application.
MIPE responds to requests submitted through the platform to the extent that they seek clarifications regarding implementation and are not already regulated by the contract, legislation or instructions in force.
For further clarifications, beneficiaries can also use the e-mail address: contact.implementarepnrr@mfe.gov.ro.
MIPE also makes available to beneficiaries, on the official website https://mfe.gov.ro, a series of relevant documents:
- User manual of the proiecte.pnrr.gov.ro platform
- PNRR Visual Identity Manual
- Detailed instructions on project implementation (including model annexes)
- List of frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ)
Communication team of the Ministry of Investments and European Projects
Read on White Art and: Grants for the digitization of SME activities
