Guide to Opening a Bank Account in Romania: For Students and New Residents
For students who have just moved to Romania or are starting their education here, one of the first things to do is to open a bank account. Having a local bank account is almost mandatory for both daily expenses and official transactions. So, how do you open a bank account in Romania? What documents are required and how long does the process take?
Who Can Open a Bank Account?
Anyone with a temporary or permanent residence permit in Romania has the right to open a bank account. This process is quite simple, especially for individuals with a student residence card.
What Documents Are Required?
- Valid passport
- Residence card or residence document
- Proof of address (lease contract, housing allocation document, etc.)
- Application form filled in Romanian
- Taxpayer identification number (optional, some banks require it)
Which Bank Should I Choose?
The most frequently preferred banks in Romania include Banca Transilvania, BRD, Raiffeisen Bank, ING and CEC Bank. Details such as foreign language support, digital banking and card fees should be compared, and branch locations should also be taken into consideration.
Is it possible to open an account online?
Although some banks have an online application form, in most cases you will need to physically go to the branch for the initial opening process. ID checks and signature procedures are done face to face.
International Transactions and IBAN
Bank accounts in Romania have an IBAN number. This way, you can receive money from abroad and make transfers abroad. However, SWIFT and transfer fees vary from bank to bank.
Remember: Opening a bank account in Romania is not only necessary for money transactions, but also for obtaining a telephone line, paying rent, and even for some government transactions. Therefore, it should be one of the first things to do as soon as you arrive in the country.
