Starting January 1, 2026, all legal entities in Romania are required to hold a payment account opened with a licensed provider in Romania. This obligation is introduced by Law no. 239/2025 and is part of the government's broader effort to reduce the use of cash in commercial transactions.
But what does this obligation mean in practice? Is it enough to open an account with the State Treasury? What are the risks for businesses that do not comply? In this article, we explain all the key terms, provide a clear example, and offer recommendations for how to make the best decision-with help from Finanancess specialists.
 
What is a "payment account"?
A payment account is a bank account-or a similar financial instrument-denominated in RON, that enables essential financial operations such as:
  • receiving payments from customers,
  • paying suppliers and employees,
  • transferring taxes and fees to the state,
  • linking to a POS terminal or digital payment app.
As of 2026, every business must have at least one such active account with a licensed provider in Romania.
 
Who is required to have a payment account?
According to the law, all legal entities are required to comply, including:
  • SRLs, SAs, and other types of commercial companies;
  • NGOs and foundations;
  • private education institutions;
  • as well as freelancers (PFAs), sole proprietorships, and branches of Romanian or foreign companies.
Entities already established by January 1, 2026 must have an account in place. Newly incorporated entities have 60 days from registration to open one.
 
Is a Treasury account sufficient?
At first glance, some business owners may consider opening an account with the State Treasury, especially since it can be opened quickly and without complex anti-money laundering (AML) checks. However, in practice, this type of account has significant limitations and often cannot fully support regular business activity.
✅ Advantages of a Treasury account:
  • Fast setup, without rigorous AML procedures;
  • 100% state-guaranteed funds;
  • Useful for:
    • depositing share capital;
    • receiving funds from public contracts, subsidies, or government bonds.
❌ Major limitations:
  • Cannot receive transfers from private bank accounts or commercial partners (B2B)-only payments from state institutions are typically allowed;
  • Outgoing payments are tightly regulated-only net salaries, tax payments, or payments to subcontractors in public contracts can be made;
  • No internet banking or mobile apps; transactions must be made at the counter or via the ANAF’s online portal (SPV) using a complex form (OPME – Multiple Electronic Payment Order);
  • Cash withdrawals are not allowed;
  • Cannot be linked to POS terminals or digital payment tools, meaning it cannot support modern payment methods.
 
What are the risks of non-compliance?
Not having a valid payment account-either at a commercial bank or at the Treasury-can result in severe consequences:
  • Fines between 3,000 and 10,000 RON;
  • Being declared fiscally inactive, with no grace period;
  • Cancellation of the VAT code;
  • Inability to deduct business expenses, which can severely affect tax calculations;
  • Operational blockages, as new rules require merchants to support modern payment systems (POS, instant payments)-something a Treasury account cannot handle.
 
Practical Example
Let’s say a newly established SRL chooses to open only a Treasury account. The company sells products online and expects to receive payments by card. With just a Treasury account, the business will not be able to:
  • install a POS;
  • accept bank transfers from customers;
  • withdraw funds for supplier payments or salaries;
  • manage its daily operations efficiently.
This could lead to severe disruptions and possible legal and fiscal sanctions.
 
Our Recommendation
To avoid any issues, the recommendation is simple: open a payment account with a licensed commercial bank, even if you also open a Treasury account for specific transactions (e.g., public tenders or capital deposit).
If you're unsure which type of account suits your business best or how to go about it correctly, the Finanancess team is here to help.
📞 Contact us:
  • Phone: (+40) 749 097 969
  • Email: contact@financess.ro