PNRR: Mature projects could be saved by extending the implementation deadline by 18 months

The implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) could benefit from a significant extension, of up to 18 months, if the proposal included in the report on the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism (MRR), coordinated by the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Victor Negrescu, is adopted. This proposal comes at a critical moment for Romania and other European Union member states, which are facing major difficulties in meeting the deadlines and achieving the objectives set by this essential mechanism for post-pandemic recovery. We note that projects financed through the PNRR must be implemented by the end of 2026, according to current European legislation.

The Romanian MEP announced, in a message published yesterday, on his official Facebook page, that following "intense negotiations", a compromise was reached that provides for the extension of the implementation period for mature projects (those with a real chance of completion, according to the European Commission's assessments), as well as the possibility of transferring them to other sources of European funding. Billions of euros and important investments from the PNRR could thus be saved, given that, without this extension, Romania risks losing crucial funds.

Initially, Victor Negrescu had proposed a 12-month extension for projects at an advanced stage of development or, alternatively, their phasing into other European financial instruments. At the same time, the rapporteur advocated for greater flexibility in reviewing national plans and reducing the bureaucracy that affects the implementation of the MRR.

According to the data presented by Victor Negrescu for February 2025, only 55% of the available subsidies were collected by the Member States, i.e. 197.5 billion euros, and as for loans, only 37% were used, i.e. 108.7 billion euros. With an average rate of achievement of reforms and targets of only 28%, the disparities between Member States are evident: France reaches a level of 76.6%, Germany 65.2%, while other countries, such as Luxembourg (13.4%), Hungary (8.8%) or Sweden (0%), are far behind.

Bureaucratic problems, unrealistic objectives or not correlated with current needs and delays in submitting payment applications have led to dozens of changes to national plans in recent months alone. In some cases, the European Commission itself has exceeded the legal deadlines for evaluating applications, accentuating implementation difficulties.

In this context, the European Parliament is to ask the Commission and the Council of the EU to revise the MRR regulation, which would allow the launch of decisive negotiations for the future of European funds. The proposal will soon be voted on in the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, with the final vote in the plenary of the European Parliament to take place in June.

For Romania, one of the largest beneficiaries of the MRR, with an allocation of 28.5 billion euros, a possible extension of the execution deadline is vital. Delays in the implementation of components related to infrastructure, education, health or the green and digital transition can lead to significant losses and compromise national development objectives.

"I hope that all political groups will support this essential step, which saves not only European funds, but also the results of a vital mechanism for Europe", declared Victor Negrescu, underlining the importance of political consensus in support of this initiative. The proposed extension could provide a necessary respite for the recovery of implementation and would ensure that the planned reforms and investments can be completed without sacrifices or loss of funds.

We note that in the coming days Marcel Boloş, the Minister of European Funds, will be in Brussels to renegotiate the PNRR with representatives of the European Commission, with the aim that our country does not lose any money from the 13.1 billion euro grant. Following the discussions, the authorities in Bucharest intend to advance the approval of 55 targets and milestones to increase the value of payment request number 4 to 5.7 billion euros.