The complete MAJORITY review: Fees, features & more
In this article, delve into our MAJORITY review. Explore insights and opinions about its services, features, and alternatives.
The expat community in Romania has proven to be super welcoming, and more and more people are making the choice to move there each year. The capital city of Bucharest features sprawling streets filled with famous architecture everywhere you look; it’s an energetic, dynamic and exciting city to live in, and is a must for museum-goers!
Bucharest has actually been listed as one of the cheapest European cities to move to for expats, and you’re likely to find your money goes a long way there. If Bucharest doesn’t interest you, you can venture further out and visit the infamous Cluj-Napoca, which features lots of Transylvanian attractions. If castles, forests and nature reserves don’t tempt you to move here, nothing will!
Moving to a new place can often be very daunting, but banking doesn’t have to be. Take the struggle out of opening a bank account in Romania with these tips.
Yes, the process is simple and shouldn’t take long. You don’t need to be a resident in Romania to open a bank account and there are many to choose from.
In order to open a bank account in Romania, you’ll need to call a bank to schedule an appointment and then meet face to face. Make sure that you take your passport, and to contact the bank of your choosing for their specific list of requirements, as some tend to differ.
You can open an account with Romanian LEU or Euros, or even a separate account for both; it’s completely up to you. Also, note that you’ll have to make a deposit into your account on the opening day for it to be operational.
There are a range of documents that you may need to open a bank account as a foreigner. These include:
You’ll also usually need an initial deposit.
Most banks in Romania require you to be in the country to open an account. There are currently 40 commercial banks in the country though, so there are lots of options to choose from with many different levels of international options available.
Additionally, you’re able to open a bank account with OTP Bank in Romania by sending your information by post to the branch where you’d like to open an account. You’ll then receive an account-opening application and once signed this will need to be approved by the Hungarian Embassy. You can also send over email, if this is easier.
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing who to bank with and bank fees are very important to consider. You don’t want to be paying high fees just for using your account, or for the services you use most often. It’s a good idea to pull the price list at the bank you choose before solidifying your account. These are typically available online, but you may need to ask your banker directly. Otherwise, some typical fees to look out for include:
If you withdraw money from other banks you’ll be charged a fee. It varies, but as an example at OTP Bank you’ll pay HUF 993 + 0.6%. That being said, using an ATM that belongs to your own bank should be free of charge.
When you use your card you don’t want to be bitten by nasty charges. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with foreign ATM fees and how they work, especially if you’re using your debit card from home.
There are fees with many accounts, however, basic accounts generally have lower fees than premium accounts. Some fee types to look out for are:
Making international transfers is almost never free, and rarely cheap. The formula for fees is typically a combination of a flat fee, up to about €20, and a percentage of your total transfer amount. More than likely your bank will also charge a markup on the exchange rate, often without disclosing it to you expressly.
If you do make transfers often, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the mid-market rate, or to send money online with Wise to make sure you never see exchange rate markups and cut down on fees.
OTP Bank has the most amount of ATM’s in the country so if you’re wanting easy access to cash this is an important factor to note. Alpha Bank is another popular choice.
If you’re looking for an international bank, look no further than Citibank. They have a great reputation, excellent customer service and have been in the country since 1996.
Otherwise, some of the best and most popular banks listed are:
Citibank is one of the most awarded banks in the world with 200 million clients and branches across Romania:
Some benefits they provide include:
Very popular with all ages and nationalities, this bank offers the best value for money with practically zero charges.
The Bank of Transylvania provides:
ING was the first foreign bank to open a full service branch in Romania in 1989. They always ensure excellent financial safety so you never have to worry, and their branches and ATMs can be found in all major towns and cities across the country. Some services ING customers enjoy include:
Banking can sometimes feel like a hassle, but armed with the right information your finances will be set up in no time. Whoever you choose to bank with in Romania, make sure you read all the fine print and understand everything before you sign contracts. If in doubt take a translator, though most Romanians speak excellent English. With that, you’re ready to get started. Good luck opening your bank account in Romania!
This publication is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to cover every aspect of the topics with which it deals. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content in this publication. The information in this publication does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its affiliates. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
In this article, delve into our MAJORITY review. Explore insights and opinions about its services, features, and alternatives.
Learn about Deriv Currency Accounts, their features, benefits, and how to open one. Discover a new way of participating in forex trading with Deriv.
Learn about foreign currency savings accounts, their benefits, drawbacks, and how to open one. Discover the best banks for these accounts and how to manage fore
Explore the process of opening a foreign bank account, the advantages, the required documentation, and important considerations.
Learn the intricacies of US foreign currency accounts, how to open one, and the advantages they offer. Find out which US banks provide this service and their fe
Everything you need to know about the HSBC Expat account.