Concessional ILTE Working Capital Loans for Fuel Costs: Sector Restrictions Lifted and Liquidity Rules Eased

On September 10, 2026, revised terms came into effect for the EUR 100 million direct loan facility administered by Lithuania's national development bank ILTE. Initiated by the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation, the measure provides working capital support to businesses facing cost pressures driven by elevated fuel prices and geopolitical tensions.

A key change is the full abolition of the restricted list of energy-intensive sectors. Previously, the 70% interest rate discount was reserved exclusively for heavily affected industries. Under the updated rules, legal entities across all economic sectors can qualify for the interest subsidy, provided they meet standard eligibility criteria.

The applicant financial evaluation criteria have also been relaxed. The current liquidity ratio (current assets / current liabilities) must now fall between 0.5 and less than 1.5. Under the previous guidelines, the ratio was capped at 1.0. For agricultural cooperatives, the upper threshold for the quick liquidity ratio has likewise been raised to 1.5.

The maximum loan amount is set at EUR 1 million per single economic entity and up to EUR 3 million for a group of linked enterprises. The funding is intended strictly for working capital replenishment and operational continuity.

Eligibility and financial standing are assessed using interim financial reports for the second quarter of 2026 (data as of June 30, 2026), specifically the interim balance sheet and income statement.

Because this is an ongoing facility, businesses previously rejected solely due to exceeding the former liquidity limit (>1.0) are eligible to recalculate their figures against their Q2 2026 statements and submit a new application. Application submissions remain open until the EUR 100 million allocation is exhausted.