Romania, a land of stunning landscapes and rich history, offers a journey through medieval towns, ancient castles, and picturesque countryside. From the charming streets of Brasov and the legendary castle of Dracula in Transylvania to the vibrant capital of Bucharest and the pristine beauty of the Carpathian Mountains, Romania is a country of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. Navigating this diverse country requires an understanding of the local cash, ATMs in Romania, and payment options. This guide will provide you with the financial insights needed to explore Romania’s cultural heritage and natural wonders with ease and confidence.
You may also enjoy reading Ultimate guide on how to save money for travelling in 2025.
Where can I find ATMs in Romania?
In Romania, there are more than 11,000 ATMs, found at:
You can find ATMs at:
- Major airports,
- Market and town squares,
- Main tourist streets of every major town,
- Shopping malls,
- Food lanes,
- Bank branches,
- Some corporate buildings.
It will be difficult to find ATMs in:
- Small airports,
- Islands,
- Regional bus stops,
- Interior of the villages,
- In small towns, off the main roads.
Best ATMs to use in Romania for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Romania are those owned by popular banks such as:
BCR,
Transilvania,
CEC Bank,
Unicredit,
ING,
Raiffeisen,
First Bank, and
OTP Bank.
There are other banks too with ATMs that accept international debit and credit cards.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Romania, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in RON).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
- If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees while withdrawing cash in Romania, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in RON’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Romania?
Yes, many foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Romania. Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Plus, and Diners cards are commonly accepted. Card types are JCB, UnionPay, Amex, Discover, or Rupay cards are usually not accepted at the ATMs.
For a detailed guide, read Money and Currency in Romania.
What are the ATM opening hours?
Yes, ATMs are usually available 24×7, except some inside bank branches which may only be open from 9 am to 3 pm.
What do they call ATMs in Romania?
Typically, you will either find a board saying ‘ATM’ or it will simply be the machine with the bank name.
PIN type
ATMs in Romania typically accept 4-digit PINs.
For swiping, Chip-and-PIN cards are common, but merchants also accept magnetic stripe cards.
Languages at ATMs in Romania
Romanian ATMs have two language options that are always on: English and Romanian. Some give you more choices like German and French. If you don’t understand these languages, you can use the camera feature of Google Translate to translate the options on your phone in real-time. Note: These translations aren’t always right, so be patient and don’t rush through the transactions.
Do ATMs in Romania work similarly as other countries?
Yes, they are. There are new ATMs that look and work like ones in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and India. Some of them take your card inside while you use it, so don’t forget to take it back when you’re done.
Join the discussion, read and share cash related travel experiences on ATM Fee Saver’s Community Travel Forum at Money & Travel in Europe.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Romania?
ATMs in Romania dispense only the official currency Romanian Leu (RON). It is the main used currency, notes come in values of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, and 500 RON.
Even though Romania is a member of the EU, the Euro is not used often in everyday life. There are places in big cities, tourist spots, and big hotels that might take Euros. People rarely accept US Dollars and Pounds.
ATM withdrawal limits in Romania?
ATMs in Romania have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of RON 700 to RON 2000, with the most common being RON 900 or RON 1,000 (Romanian Leu). Some bank ATMs allow to withdraw upto RON 3,000 in one transaction and one bank allows to withdraw as much as the card’s limit, in one transaction.
ATM Fees in Romania?
There are many fee-free ATMs in Romania. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Romania do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. So, there are many fee-free ATMs you can use in Romania as a foreign cardholder!
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Romania – something every traveller handling cash in Romania should be aware of. These are:
- Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
- Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Romania?
- Use the fee-free or lower fee ATMs in the country.
- Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
- Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
- Consider getting a fee-free travel card from your home country.
- Get one Visa and one Mastercard fee-free cards as some ATMs abroad accept only Visa and some only Mastercard.
- Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Romania?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Romania. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Romania.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Is it safe to use Romania ATMs?
Typically, yes. Many ATMs feature cameras and security guards. Crime rates near ATMs are low. Pickpocketing is more common in touristy areas.
To be safe, use precautions such as:
- Use the ATMs located inside bank branches instead of standalone ones.
- Avoid using ATMs on empty streets or late at night.
- Keep your card visible at all times.
- Cover the PIN pad with the palm of your hand to avoid revealing your PIN to hidden cameras.
- If you find any suspicious devices attached around the keypad area of the ATM, do not use the ATM.
- Be aware of your surroundings, if you see suspicious people, move away.
- Keep two or more cards as backup.
- If also using your mobile phone for the transaction, avoid using public Wi-Fi. Use VPN for extra protection.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Romania takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs here?
Yes, its possible. There are many fee-free ATMs in Romania. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Romania do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. So, there are many fee-free ATMs you can use in Romania as a foreign cardholder.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Romania?
Yes. At most ATMs in Romania, you can use a credit card from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, or another country.
Bitcoin ATMs?
Yes, there are Bitcoin ATMs, mostly in Bucharest.
Foreign bank ATMs’ in Romania
Bank of America: None.
Citibank: None.
Barclays:None.
HSBC: None.
Standard Chartered: None.
