How to Open a Business Bank Account in Romania in 2026, Step‑by‑step Guide for Foreign Companies

Understanding how to open a business bank account in Romania in 2026 is now a front‑line compliance task for every foreign company entering the market. Law no. 239/2025, which took effect on 1 January 2026, introduced mandatory payment‑account obligations and tightened fiscal‑registration procedures, making a functioning Romanian corporate account an operational prerequisite rather than an administrative afterthought. This guide walks CFOs, general counsel and foreign founders through the complete process, eligibility checks, document preparation, AML/KYC screening, realistic timelines, indicative costs and the specific 2026 rule changes that affect bank onboarding. Whether your entity is a locally incorporated SRL, a branch of an EU parent or a subsidiary of a non‑EU holding company, the procedure below applies.

Overview of the Process and Who It Applies To

Yes, a foreign company can open a business bank account in Romania. Romanian banking law does not restrict corporate account access by nationality. Any legal entity that is either registered with the Oficiul Național al Registrului Comerțului (ONRC) or that operates through a duly registered Romanian branch or representative office may apply for a corporate current account at any licensed Romanian credit institution. Foreign companies that are not themselves registered in Romania but hold a VAT registration in their home jurisdiction may also open accounts, although the onboarding process and AML scrutiny will be more intensive.

The procedure differs depending on the type of entity. A Romanian‑incorporated company (SRL or SA) follows the standard domestic path: present ONRC registration documents, the tax identification number (CIF) issued by Agenția Națională de Administrare Fiscală (ANAF), and the identity documents of the legal representative. A foreign company operating through a Romanian branch must additionally provide apostilled and translated incorporation documents from its home jurisdiction. In both cases, the bank will conduct know‑your‑customer (KYC) and anti‑money‑laundering (AML) checks before activating the account.

Types of corporate accounts

Romanian banks offer several account structures for corporate clients. The most common is a current account denominated in RON (Romanian leu). Multi‑currency accounts, typically RON, EUR and USD, are available at most major banks and are essential for companies that handle cross‑border transactions. All accounts receive a Romanian IBAN, which is used for domestic and SEPA transfers alike.

Who acts as primary contact

The bank’s onboarding team will interact with the company’s legal representative, usually the administrator (director) named in the ONRC registration or the person holding a notarised power of attorney. Only individuals who are identified and verified under the bank’s KYC process may act as authorised signatories on the account.

Eligibility and Prerequisites for Opening a Business Bank Account in Romania

Before approaching a bank, a foreign company must satisfy a set of eligibility requirements. Failing to confirm these prerequisites is the single most common cause of delays.

Core eligibility matrix

The table below summarises the main entity types and what each needs before a bank will accept an application.

Companies with beneficial owners who are non‑EU residents or politically exposed persons (PEPs) should expect enhanced due diligence under Legea nr. 129/2019 (Romania’s AML/CFT framework). Banks are required to identify and verify the identity of every beneficial owner holding 25 % or more of the company’s capital or voting rights, and to apply ongoing monitoring.

When a branch versus a subsidiary is necessary

A foreign company that intends only to carry out limited, ancillary activities in Romania (e.g., marketing, liaison) may register a representative office. A company that will conduct revenue‑generating activities must register either a branch or a subsidiary (SRL/SA) with ONRC. The choice between a branch and a subsidiary affects both the bank onboarding process, a subsidiary follows the standard domestic path, while a branch triggers additional legalisation requirements, and the entity’s tax treatment.

Banking product prerequisites

For an SRL, the minimum share capital is RON 1, but proof of capital deposit in a Romanian bank account is part of the incorporation file submitted to ONRC. This means the company must open a temporary bank account to deposit share capital before the ONRC registration is finalised, and then convert that account into a full operating account once registration is complete. Banks will confirm the capital deposit and issue a certificate that is submitted to ONRC.

Step‑by‑Step Procedure to Open a Business Bank Account in Romania

The following five steps outline the end‑to‑end process for a foreign company. The timeline table below each step summarises who is responsible and how long each phase typically takes.

Step 1: Choose a bank and account product

Research Romanian banks based on your operational needs. Key considerations include: branch network and geographic coverage, availability of online and mobile banking in English, multi‑currency account options, SWIFT correspondent banking relationships (important for non‑EUR transfers), fee structures and any sector‑specific requirements. Major Romanian banks that serve corporate foreign clients include institutions in the BCR, BRD, Banca Transilvania, Raiffeisen Bank Romania and UniCredit Bank Romania networks. Request the bank’s corporate onboarding checklist before gathering documents, each institution may have slightly different requirements.

Step 2: Prepare company documentation and translations

Assemble all corporate and personal identification documents. Documents issued outside Romania generally require either an apostille (for countries party to the Hague Apostille Convention) or consular legalisation (for non‑Hague countries), followed by certified translation into Romanian by an authorised translator. Notarisation of copies may also be required. Engage a local Romanian counsel or corporate secretary to pre‑check the document package against the bank’s specific checklist before submission. This step is the most time‑consuming part of the process for foreign companies.

Step 3: Submit the bank application and KYC documentation

The company’s authorised representative submits the application form together with the full document package to the bank’s relationship manager. This step typically requires at least one in‑person visit to a bank branch, although some Romanian banks now offer partial remote onboarding, including video identification, for EU‑resident directors. At this stage, the company must also complete the beneficial owner declaration, the FATCA/CRS self‑certification forms, and any additional questionnaires the bank uses for AML risk‑scoring.

Step 4: Bank verification, account activation and online access

The bank’s compliance team reviews all submitted documents, runs sanctions screening, verifies beneficial ownership and may request an interview with the director or beneficial owner. Processing times vary significantly depending on the company’s risk profile: a standard‑risk EU company may clear KYC in a few business days, while a complex multi‑jurisdictional structure with non‑EU beneficial owners may take several weeks. Once the bank’s compliance department grants approval, the account is activated, signature cards are registered, and e‑banking credentials are issued.

Step 5: Fund the account and maintain ongoing compliance

Make an initial deposit (the amount varies by bank, some require a minimum, others do not). Set up domestic and international payment channels, configure standing orders if needed, and test a sample transaction. Going forward, the company must keep beneficial‑owner records current, notify the bank of any changes in the shareholder structure or legal representation, and comply with transaction‑monitoring thresholds. Romanian banks are required under Legea nr. 129/2019 to report suspicious transactions and to periodically re‑confirm KYC information.

Required Documents and KYC/AML Information for a Romanian Business Bank Account

The documents listed below represent the standard package that Romanian banks request from foreign companies. Individual banks may require additional items depending on the company’s risk profile, country of origin and the nature of its business activities.

Documents checklist

AML/KYC matrix for foreign companies

Romanian banks are classified as reporting entities under Legea nr. 129/2019 and must apply customer due diligence measures before establishing a business relationship. For foreign companies, the following AML/KYC checks are standard.

Timeline and Key Deadlines for Opening a Business Bank Account in Romania

The total time from initial bank selection to a fully operational account ranges from roughly one week (best case, domestic SRL with all documents ready) to eight weeks or more (complex foreign structure with legalisation requirements and enhanced AML review). The timeline table in the step‑by‑step section above provides duration estimates for each phase.

The critical variable for foreign companies is document preparation. Obtaining an apostille or consular legalisation in the home country, followed by certified translation, can take 3–21 days depending on the jurisdiction. Companies that prepare documents in parallel with bank selection can compress the overall timeline significantly.

Under Law no. 239/2025, companies that are newly registered in Romania face compliance triggers linked to their fiscal obligations. Industry observers expect that the practical effect of these provisions will be to compel companies to have a functioning payment account within the first weeks of registration in order to meet tax‑payment and reporting deadlines imposed by ANAF. Failing to open an account promptly may result in administrative penalties or inability to file required fiscal declarations.

Costs, Fees and Tax Considerations for a Romanian Corporate Account

Bank fees for corporate accounts in Romania vary by institution, account package and transaction volume. The table below provides indicative ranges; companies should request a formal fee schedule from their chosen bank before committing.

Companies should budget separately for legal counsel fees if they engage a Romanian lawyer to pre‑check documents, liaise with the bank and handle translations, a common and recommended practice for foreign entities unfamiliar with local requirements.

What Changes in 2026, Law no. 239/2025

Law no. 239/2025, published on 15 December 2025 and effective from 1 January 2026, introduced fiscal and administrative measures that directly affect how companies open and use business bank accounts in Romania. The law reinforces mandatory payment‑account obligations for Romanian‑registered entities and links certain fiscal‑reporting and tax‑payment procedures to the existence of an active bank account. The likely practical effect is that companies can no longer delay opening a corporate account without risking non‑compliance with tax‑filing deadlines and payment obligations enforced by ANAF.

For foreign companies, the 2026 changes mean that the bank onboarding checklist should now include confirmation that the chosen account meets the payment‑account requirements established by the law. Companies and their counsel should review the specific transitional provisions of Law no. 239/2025 to confirm applicable deadlines for their entity type.

Common Pitfalls When Opening a Business Bank Account in Romania, and How to Avoid Them

• Missing or expired apostille/legalisation. Documents issued abroad without a valid apostille are routinely rejected. Mitigation: verify apostille requirements before submitting and ensure documents are dated within validity periods (typically 30 days for commercial register extracts).
• Incomplete beneficial owner declarations. Omitting a beneficial owner or failing to provide supporting IDs triggers enhanced scrutiny and delays. Mitigation: prepare a full ownership chart with IDs for every individual holding 25 % or more before approaching the bank.
• Mismatched signatory details. Discrepancies between the name on the passport, the ONRC registration and the bank forms cause rejection. Mitigation: ensure transliteration and spelling are consistent across all documents.
• No source‑of‑funds documentation. Banks are legally required to verify the origin of funds. Arriving without contracts, audited accounts or bank statements will stall the process. Mitigation: assemble source‑of‑funds evidence at the same time as corporate documents.
• Assuming fully remote onboarding is available. Not all Romanian banks permit remote account opening for corporate clients. Mitigation: confirm the bank’s remote onboarding policy in advance and schedule a director visit if needed.
• Ignoring 2026 deadlines. Under Law no. 239/2025, delayed account opening may cause a company to miss tax‑payment deadlines. Mitigation: begin the bank onboarding process in parallel with or immediately after company registration.

Sources

1. Portal Legislativ, LEGE nr. 239/15.12.2025 (Law 239/2025)
2. Oficiul Național al Registrului Comerțului (ONRC)
3. Agenția Națională de Administrare Fiscală (ANAF)
4. Portal Legislativ, Legea nr. 129/2019 (AML/CFT framework)
5. EUR‑Lex, Directive 2014/92/EU (Payment Accounts Directive)
6. European Commission, Payment Accounts Directive implementing acts