Alexandru Nazare, about a possible increase in VAT in 2026: “A realistic budget prevents such events”
The Minister of Finance, Alexandru Nazare, said on Sunday, live on the show “Briefing” From Digi24, that there are currently no plans for an increase in VAT in 2026 and emphasized the importance of a realistic budget to avoid such situations.
The Minister of Finance, Alexandru Nazare. Photo: Inquam Photos/Octav Ganea
“I said it and I repeat it: we do not have an increase in VAT at this time for 2026. So there is no growth. Of course there are all kinds of scenarios, evaluations from various areas, but in terms of hypotheses we leave to build the budget of 2026, we do not have the VAT growth.”said the minister.
He explained that a realistic budget can prevent “Accidents” such as the need to increase taxes.
“The construction of a realistic budget prevents such events during the year. The more realistic we build it, the more such accidents are or we cannot get in the situation to think about an increase in a tax. So it is very important how we build the budget,” said Nazare.
Regarding the effects of the fiscal measures already adopted, Nazare stated that the situation of Romania is much improvement, compared to the period July 2025.
“The situation is greatly improved. The atmosphere of Ecofin in relation to Romania is much improvement to July, compared to Ecofin in July, where I was very close to a possible suspension of European funds. This possibility to have 10% of commitments suspended for 2026, at the moment is much, much attenuated. Consistent are the measures we take both until the end of this year and in 2026 ”, added the minister.
About the budget rectification, the minister said: “In the budget rectification we managed to negotiate a deficit of 8.4% compared to an 8% as initial, which gave us a very important space for investments, that is, almost 8 billion lei that we could distribute so as to continue essential investments in several areas: Transport, Ministry of Development, Ministry of Environment.”
Regarding the confirmation of 8.4% in relation to international bodies, Alexandru Nazare said: “Consistent and in relation to the Commission, consistent in relation to the rating agencies. The fact that we have an 8.4 confirmed by the agencies, indirectly, tells us that the measures taken had effects, because if they had no effects, the agencies would not have confirmed this.”
The Minister of Finance thus stressed that Romania does not consider the increase of VAT in 2026, but that maintaining a realistic budget and implementing tax measures are essential for the health of the economy.
