Send Money from Ireland to Romania

Sending Money from Ireland to Romania: Get the Best EUR to RON Rate

If you're sending money from Ireland to Romania, you're part of a massive flow. Romania receives more remittances than any other Eastern European country in the EU, driven by over 3.5 million Romanians working abroad—many in Italy, Germany, and Spain. This corridor is well-served by banks and digital providers alike, but your choice of provider will determine whether you lose 3-8% to hidden fees or keep more money reaching your family.

The EUR to RON exchange rate fluctuates daily, but as of early 2026, you're looking at approximately 4.95-5.05 RON per euro at true market rates. Your bank will quote you something lower—usually 4.80-4.90 RON per euro—while digital providers like Wise and Remitly will get you much closer to the real rate.

Banks vs. Digital Providers: Where the Real Cost Difference Shows

Traditional Irish banks like AIB, Bank of Ireland, and Ulster Bank will charge you two things: a flat transfer fee (typically €10-25) plus an exchange rate markup of 2-4%. This means they're taking the actual market rate and giving you a worse rate, pocketing the difference. On a €1,000 transfer, that markup alone costs you €20-40. Add the flat fee, and you've lost €30-65 before your money lands in Romania.

Digital providers flip this model. Wise, Remitly, Revolut, and WorldRemit use real-time market rates with minimal markup (usually 0-1% on the exchange). Their fees are transparent and flat: typically €1-3 for economy transfers, €2-5 for instant. On that same €1,000, you're out €3 instead of €65. That's not a small difference—it's the difference between sending €970 and €935.

Speed vs. Savings: When to Use Economy vs. Instant

Most senders go with economy transfers. These take 1-3 business days and cost least. If you're sending money for regular family expenses, rent, or bills, economy is your move. Wise economy is typically free, Remitly charges €1-2.

Instant transfers (arriving in minutes to hours) cost more—€2-5—and make sense only when timing is critical. A family emergency? A bill that's overdue? That's when instant justifies the extra fee. Otherwise, you're paying for speed you don't need.

Where Your Money Lands Matters

Standard banking regulations apply for all Ireland-to-Romania transfers, so you won't run into compliance issues. Most digital providers deliver directly to Romanian bank accounts, and the two largest receiving banks—Banca Transilvania and BCR (which operates under Erste Group)—both accept transfers from international providers without friction. You can send to any Romanian bank account, but these two institutions handle the majority of inbound remittances and have the most efficient processing.

Practical Tips to Lock In Better Rates

• Set rate alerts. Wise and most digital providers let you watch exchange rates and get notified when EUR/RON hits a target. Romanian economic data and European interest rates move the needle; watch for rate dips before transferring.
• Transfer in chunks above €500. Below €500, the percentage fee impact gets steep. If you're sending €300, Wise's flat fee is a bigger hit proportionally than on €2,000.
• Batch transfers when possible. If you're sending monthly support, moving money every 4 weeks instead of weekly cuts overhead and reduces forex timing risk.
• Avoid weekends and market volatility. EUR/RON can swing 1-2% around economic announcements or market shocks. Transfer mid-week when volatility is lower.
• Compare each time you send. Rates and fees shift. What was best last month might not be best this month. Wise usually wins on larger amounts (€1,000+), Remitly sometimes edges it out below €500.

The Bottom Line

Use Wise or Remitly for amounts over €500—the rate advantage pays for itself immediately. For smaller, one-off transfers under €300, Revolut's competitive exchange rate and zero fee model can be unbeatable. Never use your bank unless you have no alternative. You'll leave money on the table every time.