Two things cause disproportionate worry for workers arriving in Romania: how wages reach them, and whether the slip they are handed each month is correct. Both are simpler than they look once the mechanics are clear. This guide explains how payment works in practice and how to check your own payslip.
1. Why a Romanian bank account matters
Employers in Romania generally pay wages by bank transfer into a Romanian account. You can be paid into a foreign account in some circumstances, but a local account avoids conversion losses and delays, and it is what most payroll departments expect.
A Romanian account gives you:
- Direct wage payment in lei, with a clear record of every transfer
- A debit card for everyday spending and online payments
- A traceable history of income, which is useful for rental agreements and official paperwork
- Cheaper transfers home, if you choose your remittance route carefully
2. Opening an account
Opening an account is a routine process, usually completed in a single branch visit:
- Bring your passport and, where you have one, your residence document
- Bring proof of employment — an employment contract or a certificate from your employer
- Bring proof of address if you have it; if your accommodation is employer-arranged, a letter from the employer often serves
- Expect to give a Romanian phone number or an email address for the bank to contact you
- Ask about monthly account fees before signing, and whether the account is free with salary deposits
Many banks issue the card on the spot or within a few working days. Ask for the IBAN in writing — you will need it for your employer and for any transfers you send home.
3. What appears on your payslip
Romanian payslips follow a standard structure. The terms are worth learning:
- Salariu brut — gross salary, before any deductions
- Salariu net — net salary, what actually reaches your account
- CAS — the social security contribution
- CASS — the health insurance contribution
- Impozit — income tax
- Sporuri — additions such as overtime, night work, weekend work or hazardous conditions
- Avans — an advance already paid to you, if applicable
- Retineri — other deductions, which should be itemised and explained
The key figure to check is salariu net — the amount actually transferred. If it does not match the transfer you received, ask payroll for an explanation in writing.
4. How to check your payslip in five minutes
Work through these in order:
- Does the gross figure match your contract? It should, unless a documented change applies.
- Are your hours correct? Compare the hours and days against your own record.
- Is overtime included? Overtime is normally paid at a premium, so it should appear as a separate line.
- Are the deductions consistent month to month? Small variances are normal; large unexplained ones are not.
- Does the net figure equal the money in your account? If not, ask why before the next payroll cycle.
Keep every payslip. They are your proof of income and your protection if a dispute arises.
5. Sending money home
For transfers to India or Nepal, compare before you commit:
- Bank transfer — reliable and traceable, but usually the most expensive
- Dedicated remittance services — often cheaper and faster, with competitive exchange rates
- Informal channels — avoid entirely; there is no recourse if money is lost
Two rules protect you: use a licensed provider, and always send to an account in your own name or, if that is not possible, keep the receipt and understand who legally receives the money.
6. Common problems and what to do
- Wages arrive late. Ask payroll in writing the same week. Delay patterns are easier to correct early.
- A deduction you do not recognise. Request an itemised explanation. You are entitled to understand your own deductions.
- You cannot open an account. Some banks are more accustomed to foreign workers than others; your employer normally knows which local branch handles this smoothly.
- Your card does not work abroad. Tell the bank if you plan to travel or shop online outside Romania.
- You lose your card. Report it to the bank immediately; replacement is routine.
7. If you are an employer or agency
Two practices reduce problems before they begin:
- Explain the payslip once, in the worker's language, on arrival. Workers who understand the lines raise fewer disputes and trust the process more.
- Make the first payment cycle predictable. A clear first payslip sets expectations for the rest of the placement.
Summary
Getting paid in Romania is straightforward once you have a local account and understand the payslip. Check the gross figure against your contract, confirm your hours and overtime, verify that the net figure matches what actually arrived, and keep every document. Where something looks wrong, ask early and in writing.
Planning a placement in Romania?
Green Outdoors Global Pvt Ltd is an MEA-licensed overseas recruitment agency with a Romania-side presence. We work with verified employers and prepare workers on documentation, expectations and practical matters before travel.
📞 Call us: +91 77789 78988 🌐 Website: www.greenoutdoors.in ✉️ Email: [email protected]