Senate approves lower down-payment option for first-time homebuyers under 35

On Monday the Senate adopted a bill that reduces the minimum down-payment to 5% for home purchases by individuals under 35 through the “Noua Casă” program. The vote recorded 102 affirmative votes and one abstention. Previously, the 5% rate applied only to the cheapest segment of the program, with a higher percentage required for more expensive homes.

The new rule lets eligible young buyers opt for the lower down-payment across a broader price range. PSD senator Daniela Mihai highlighted the policy’s role in enabling young families, whereas AUR senator Cătălin Silegeanu cautioned that the benefit may be limited to those already capable of buying pricier properties and called for future solutions for lower-income youth. The bill now moves to the Chamber of Deputies for further consideration.