Our Romanian law firm offers fast services for opening corporate and personal bank accounts with the Romanian bank of your choice, always including online banking features, so you can make payments and monitor your accounts securely.

Can I open a bank account in Romania as a foreigner?

Yes, you can open a Romanian bank account as a resident or as a non-resident.

How hard is it to open a bank account in Romania as a foreign shareholder?

It is now a more demanding process than it was a few years ago, because banks must apply strict know-your-customer (KYC) and anti-money-laundering checks. However, it can be done when relying on professional support.

Since 1 January 2026, banks and other payment service providers operating in Romania may refuse to open an account for a company or an individual only where opening it would breach the anti-money-laundering rules (Law no. 129/2019) or international sanctions. In practice, the institution must be able to complete its checks on you, your company and its beneficial owners, so a complete and consistent file is what matters most.

What types of bank accounts can I open in Romania?

You can set up:

a current or personal bank account for daily operations;
a savings account in which you can keep money;
a corporate account for your Romanian company.

Note: Most Romanian banks offer online and mobile banking no matter the type of account you set up, so you can make payments and monitor your account securely wherever you are.

Does a Romanian company need a bank account?

Yes. Since 1 January 2026, every Romanian company must hold at least one payment account in Romania, with a bank or another payment service provider, or an account with the State Treasury, for as long as it carries on business. A newly registered company must open it within 60 working days of its incorporation. A company without such an account can be fined and declared inactive for tax purposes (Law no. 70/2015 and the Fiscal Procedure Code, as amended by Law no. 239/2025).

The account is not a precondition for registering the company. Since November 2022, a limited liability company (SRL) pays in its share capital after registration: 30% within 3 months of registration, and before it starts doing business in its own name, and the rest within 12 months for cash contributions (Law no. 31/1990 on companies). In practice, the company uses its Romanian current account to pay in the capital, to pay taxes and salaries and for its day-to-day business payments.

Is it possible to open a bank account in Romania remotely?

Usually not, for foreigners. Some Romanian banks let customers open a personal account entirely online, through a mobile app with photos of the identity document and a selfie or video check, but these services are generally reserved for Romanian residents holding a Romanian identity card. Non-residents and companies usually need a branch visit, so they can establish who the account holder is and that the information submitted remotely is genuine. Depending on the bank, a representative holding a notarised power of attorney may attend instead. If we arrange the meeting in advance, the visit itself typically takes about 1-2 hours.

What documents do I need to open a personal bank account in Romania?

Requirements differ from bank to bank, but as a foreigner you will usually need:

a valid passport or national identity card;
proof of your address;
if you live in Romania, your Romanian residence document, which shows your personal numeric code (CNP);
a tax identification number where applicable: your CNP, a Romanian fiscal code issued to non-residents, or the tax number from your country of tax residence, depending on the provider.

As part of its KYC checks, the bank will also ask about your tax residence, your source of income and the purpose of the account.

What document can I use to prove a Romanian address as a foreigner?

Banks typically accept a lease agreement (ideally one registered with the tax authority, ANAF), a recent utility bill in your name, or a residence document showing your address. Non-residents can usually prove their address abroad with similar documents, such as a recent utility bill or bank statement.

Documents issued abroad may need a certified (sworn) translation into Romanian and, in some cases, an apostille or other legalisation. We can arrange this for you through our partners.

Are there any foreign banks with operations in Romania?

Yes. Several foreign banking groups operate in Romania through local subsidiaries or branches. If you prefer to work with one of them, our lawyers can guide you accordingly.

Do banks in Romania ask for minimum deposits?

Not usually, although conditions vary between banks and account packages.

How long does it take to open a bank account in Romania as a foreigner?

The following are typical estimates, as the timing depends on the bank and on its KYC review. A personal bank account can often be opened on the same day as the branch visit, once the branch has all the documents. A company account can take up to about four weeks, sometimes longer if the bank asks for additional information, because it must check the company, its shareholders and its beneficial owners under the know-your-customer rules.

When working with our Romanian law firm, the timeframe for opening corporate bank accounts can often be shortened, as we prepare and submit the paperwork according to each institution's requirements.

If this article was useful, we invite you to contact us and start the Romanian bank account opening formalities as soon as possible.

Cristian Darie

Meet Cristian Darie, a committed lawyer at Darie, Manea & Associates skilled in national and international legal matters. Contact our firm for legal assistance.

View profile

Marcela Manea

Meet Marcela Manea, managing partner at Darie, Manea & Associates, a lawyer since 2006, guiding clients through complex legal matters in Romania.

View profile

Oana Darie

Attorney at law: litigation, property restitution (ANRP) and real estate.

View profile

Adriana Tugui

Adriana Țugui heads the litigation and arbitration department at Darie, Manea & Associates and has practised as a lawyer since 2007.

View profile

Laurentia Gheorghe

Laurentia Gheorghe is a senior lawyer leading our Criminal Law and Business Crime Department in Romania. Contact Darie, Manea & Associates for criminal defense.

View profile