| Updated: November 5, 2025According to the 2025 Triennial Central Bank Survey conducted by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), Romania’s average daily over-the-counter (OTC) foreign exchange turnover reached approximately US $3.23 billion. This figure represents a 10.2% increase from US $2.93 billion in the previous survey, highlighting the country’s growing participation and interest in the global forex market.
With forex trading activity on the rise, it’s no surprise that more Romanians are seeking trustworthy platforms to participate in this dynamic market. Are you on the hunt for the best forex brokers in Romania? We can help you with that, as we have discovered the top performers in the forex trading sector, catering to the preferences of Romanian traders. Our team of trading experts has performed their due diligence, opening real money accounts with each brand and assessing the actual experience every retail and professional trader would go through by joining the brokers listed below.
Fusion Markets74-89% of retail's CFD accounts lose money
Eightcap59.57% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
BlackBull MarketsTrading leveraged products is risky
Global Prime74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money
Pepperstone75.5% of retail investor accounts lose money
AxiThe vast majority of retail client accounts lose money
Plus50082% of retail CFD accounts lose money
FxPro74% of retail investor accounts lose money
FBS72.12% of retail investor accounts lose money
CMC Markets67% of retail investor accounts lose moneyRomanian Forex Brokers Ranked by Trustpilot Score
| Forex Broker | Trustpilot Reviews | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Fusion Markets | 4,873 | 4.8 ⭐ |
| 2. Global Prime | 341 | 4.7 ⭐ |
| 3. Forex.com | 2,221 | 4.6 ⭐ |
| 4. Capital.com | 12,925 | 4.5 ⭐ |
| 5. Pepperstone | 3,144 | 4.4 ⭐ |
| 6. CMC Markets | 2,571 | 4.3 ⭐ |
| 7. FBS | 7,267 | 4.3 ⭐ |
| 8. Plus500 | 17,312 | 4.2 ⭐ |
| 9. Axi | 4,375 | 4.2 ⭐ |
| 10. FxPro | 860 | 3.9 ⭐ |
Romanian Forex Brokers Ranked by Spread Commission
| Forex Broker | EURUSD | USDJPY | EURGBP | GBPUSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Fusion Markets | 1.01 avg (Classic) | 1.17 avg (Classic) | 1.29 avg (Classic) | 1.14 avg (Classic) |
| 2. Global Prime | 1.04 avg (Standard) | 1.32 avg (Standard) | 1.19 avg (Standard) | 1.30 avg (Standard) |
| 3. FxPro | 1.45 | 1.85 |
| 1.99 |
| 4. CMC Markets | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.9 |
| 5. Capital.com | 0.6 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 1.3 |
| 6. FBS | 1.1 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.4 |
| 7. Pepperstone | 1.10 | 1.20 | 1.20 (min) | 1.20 |
| 8. Forex.com | 1.0 min (Standard) | 0.9 min (Standard) | 1.3 min (Standard) | 1.3 min (Standard) |
| 9. Axi | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 1.3 |
| 10. Plus500 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 1.6 |
Romanian Forex Brokers Ranked by Commission per Lot
| Forex Broker | Commission per lot |
|---|---|
| 1. FBS | $0 |
| 2. Plus500 | $0 |
| 3. Capital.com | $0 |
| 4. Forex.com | $0 for Standard accounts; $5 per standard lot per side for Raw accounts |
| 5. Fusion Markets | $0 Classic Account, $4.50 round turn on Zero Account |
| 6. CMC Markets | $0 for forex trading |
| 7. Global Prime | $0 Standard Accounts; $7 round turn on Raw Accounts |
| 8. Pepperstone | $0 (Standard Account), $7 round-turn (Razor Account) |
| 9. FxPro | $0 on Standard Account; $3.5 per side on Raw+ and Elite Accounts |
| 10. Axi | $0 on Standard Account; $7 round trip on Pro Account |
Important Note: We would like to highlight the fact that regulated forex trading in Romania is possible if brokers have gone through the steps required to obtain a license from the Financial Supervisory Authority (Autoritatea de Supraveghere Financiara, ASF) . That way, brands can provide the best trading conditions for their clients. If you are interested in the regulatory steps taken by the ASF to manage the trading market in Romania, we suggest visiting the website www.asfromania.ro or following ASF’s X account.
Top 11 FX Brokers in Romania
Fusion Markets Broker Details Supports Romanian No Romanian Currency (RON) No Regulators ASIC, FSA (Seychelles), VFSC (Vanuatu) Min Deposit $0 Trading Platforms MetaTrader4, MetaTrader5, cTrader, DupliTrade, Fusion+ Copy Trade, TradingView Trustpilot Rating 4.8 out of 4,873 reviews Number of CFD Forex Pairs to Trade 90+ Leverage Forex & Metals CFDs: 1:30 (1:500 for forex and metals via VFSC)
Index CFDs: 1:5
Cryptocurrencie CFDs: 1:2 (ASIC), 1:10 (FSA, VFSC)Spread EURUSD: 1.01 avg (Classic)
USDJPY: 1.17 avg (Classic)
EURGBP: 1.29 avg (Classic)
GBPUSD: 1.14 avg (Classic)Forex Commission per Lot per Trade $0 Classic Account, $4.50 round turn on Zero Account Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Fasapay, Jeton Wallet, Perfect Money, Online Naira, Doku, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, USDT, Tether, Ripple, bank wire, ZotaPay, VNPay, DuitNow, XPay, DragonPay, VAPay, FasaPay, AstroPay, PayID, Jetonbank, Sticpay, Interac, LuqaPay, Zotapay, MiFinity Withdrawal Methods Visa, Mastercard, Bank Wire, Skrill, Neteller,Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Tether, Ripple, MiFinity, Interac, PayPal, AstroPay, Jetonbank, DragonPay Key Pros
- Offers some of the lowest spreads
- ASIC clients enjoy negative balance protection
- Supports popular trading platforms
- Offers two copy trading platforms
- Supports fiat and crypto payment solutions
Key Cons
- Does not offer investor protection
- Traders outside Australia have no negative balance protection
- Cannot set up an account in a minor currency
- Has no FCA license
Global Prime Broker Details Supports Romanian No Romanian Currency (RON) No Regulators ASIC (No. 385620), VFSC (No. 40256) Min Deposit $0 Trading Platforms MT4, MT4 Webtrader, MT4 Android; for VFSC clients MT4, MT5, and GP Copy Trustpilot Rating 4.7 out of 341 reviews Number of CFD Forex Pairs to Trade 59 Leverage Forex & Metals CFDs: 1:500 (1:30 for ASIC entity)
Index CFDs: 1:100 (1:20 for ASIC entity)
Cryptocurrencie CFDs: Up to 1:2 (ASIC); Up to 1:5 (Pro and VFSC)Spread EURUSD: 1.04 avg (Standard)
USDJPY: 1.32 avg (Standard)
EURGBP: 1.19 avg (Standard)
GBPUSD: 1.30 avg (Standard)Forex Commission per Lot per Trade $0 Standard Accounts; $7 round turn on Raw Accounts Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Gate8, Dragonpay, Fasapay, VNPay, Pagsmile, BPay, POLi, AstroPay, Bank Transfer, Interac, Perfect Money, PayID, Jeton, MiFinity, XPay, Crypto Withdrawal Methods Mastercard, Visa, Local Bank Transfer, Bank Wire Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay, PayPal, Dragonpay, Perfect Money, Jeton, Interac, Cryptocurrencies
Key Pros
- Overseen by a top-tier financial regulator (ASIC)
- No fees on deposits and withdrawals
- Low fees for FX trading
- Streamlined sign-up process
- A broad range of currency pairs
Key Cons
- Could use more trading platforms
- A limited range of educational resources
- Does not offer Islamic or cent accounts
FBS Broker Details Supports Romanian No Romanian Currency (RON) No Regulators CySEC (No. 331/17), FSC (No. 000102/31), ASIC (No. 426359), FSCA (no. 50885) Min Deposit Standard accounts: $100
Cent accounts: $10Trading Platforms MT5 Desktop, MT5 WebTrader, MT4 Trustpilot Rating 4.3 out of 7,267 reviews Number of CFD Forex Pairs to Trade 35+ Leverage Forex & Metals CFDs: 1:30
Index CFDs: 1:20
Cryptocurrencie CFDs: 1:2Spread EURUSD: 1.1
USDJPY: 1.6
EURGBP: 1.6
GBPUSD: 1.4Forex Commission per Lot per Trade $0 Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Skrill, Bank Transfer, Neteller, EFT, Sticpay, Perfect Money, Fasapay, AstroPay, Pix, JCB, BitWallet Withdrawal Methods Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Skrill, Bank Transfer, Neteller, EFT, Sticpay, Perfect Money, Fasapay, AstroPay, Pix, JCB, BitWallet Key Pros
- Leverage of up to 1:3000 on FX majors (non-EU)
- Excellent learning content
- Novice FX traders can set up cent accounts
- Market execution speed averages 0.3 seconds
- Great Guidebook for FX trading
Key Cons
- Facilitates trading via MT5 only
- Below-average range of tradable products
- Lacks FCA authorization
FP Markets Broker Details Supports Romanian No Romanian Currency (RON) No Regulators ASIC, CySEC, FSA (Seychelles), FSCA, FSA (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), SCB (Bahamas) Min Deposit $50 (AU$100) Trading Platforms MetaTrader4, MetaTrader5, WebTrader, IRESS, cTrader, TradingView Trustpilot Rating 4.9 out of 9,422 reviews Number of CFD Forex Pairs to Trade 70+ Leverage Forex & Metals CFDs: 1:30
Index CFDs: 1:20
Cryptocurrencie CFDs: Up to 1:2 (Retail); Up to 1:5 (Pro)Spread EURUSD: 1.2
USDJPY: 1.4
EURGBP: 1.4
GBPUSD: 1.5Forex Commission per Lot per Trade $0 Standard Account; $6 round turn on Pro Account Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, Bank Transfer, Skill, Sticpay, Fasapay, Virtual Pay, Perfect Money, Pagsmile, Dragonpay, Crypto, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Online Banking, Broker to Broker, PayPal, XPay, Rapyd Withdrawal Methods Visa, Mastercard, Bank Wire, Neteller, Skrill, Paytrust88, PayPal Key Pros
- Offers plenty of educational trading tools
- Broker with competitive spreads
- Allows easy trading on the go
- Regulated by reputable authorities
- Offers a decent number of currency pairs
Key Cons
- Supported trading platforms are a tad outdated
- Could expand its selection of products
- No negative balance and investor protection for clients under ASIC
BlackBull Markets Broker Details Supports Romanian No Romanian Currency (RON) No Regulators FSA (Seychelles) (No. SD045), FMA (No. FSP403326) Min Deposit $0 (Standard)$2,000 (Prime)$20,000 (Institutional) Trading Platforms MetaTrader4, MetaTrader5, TradingView, cTrader, MT WebTrader, BlackBull Shares, BlackBull CopyTrader, BlackBull Trade, BlackBull Invest, ZuluTrade Trustpilot Rating 4.8 out of 2,681 reviews Number of CFD Forex Pairs to Trade 70+ Leverage Forex & Metals CFDs: 1:500
Index CFDs: 1:500
Cryptocurrencie CFDs: 1:500Spread EURUSD: 1.0
USDJPY: 1.0
EURGBP: 1.6
GBPUSD: 1.0Forex Commission per Lot per Trade $0 Standard; $6 per lot Prime; $4 per lot Institutional Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, Airtm, Skrill, Bank Transfer, HexoPay, American Express, POLi, Payment Asia, Help2Pay, FXPay, Fasapay, China Union Pay, Boleto, AstroPay, Beeteller, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, Ripple, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Chainlink, USD Coin, Stellar Withdrawal Methods Visa, Mastercard, Bank Transfer, Airtm, Skrill, Neteller, American Express, POLi, HexoPay, Payment Asia, Help2Pay, FXPay, China Union Pay, Boleto, Fasapay, Beeteller, AstroPay, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Tether, Ripple, Stellar, Chainlink, Ethereum, USD Coin Key Pros
- Uses proprietary copy-trading platform
- Swap-free trading via ECN Standard and Prime accounts
- Multi-platform support
- Provides a 24/7 customer support service
- Great Education Hub for traders looking to hone their skills
Key Cons
- High commissions per lot on Prime and Institutional accounts
- Charges a $5 fee on withdrawals
Pepperstone Broker Details Supports Romanian No Romanian Currency (RON) No Regulators ASIC (No. 414530), UK FCA (No.684312), CySEC (No. 388/20), BaFin (No.151148), DFSA (F004356), CMA (128), SCB Bahamas (SIA-F217), FSA (SD108) Min Deposit $0 Trading Platforms MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView Trustpilot Rating 4.4 out of 3,144 reviews Number of CFD Forex Pairs to Trade 90+ Leverage Forex & Metals CFDs: 1:30
Index CFDs: 1:20
Cryptocurrencie CFDs: 1:2Spread EURUSD: 1.10
USDJPY: 1.20
EURGBP: 1.20 (min)
GBPUSD: 1.20Forex Commission per Lot per Trade $0 (Standard Account), $7 round-turn (Razor Account) Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Bank Transfer, BPay, Neteller, Skrill, Apple Pay, Google Pay, UnionPay, BPay, POLi, USDT, MPESSA Withdrawal Methods Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Bank Transfer, BPay, Neteller, Skrill Key Pros
- Winner of multiple industry awards
- Commission-free FX trades via standard accounts
- Over 1,200 instruments across all major asset classes
- Competitive spreads on FX trades via Razor accounts
- Seamless withdrawals within 1 to 3 workdays
Key Cons
- A somewhat limited range of deposit and withdrawal options
- High swap rates on overnight positions
Plus500 Broker Details Supports Romanian Yes Romanian Currency (RON) No Regulators FSA (No.4.1-1/18), FCA (No. FRN 509909), CySEC (No.250/14), FMA (No.47546), SFSA (No. SD039), MAS (No. CMS100648), DFSA (No. F005651), ASIC (No. 417727), BaFin registration, SCB (SIA-F250) Min Deposit $100 Trading Platforms Proprietary, desktop and mobile platforms Trustpilot Rating 4.2 out of 17,312 reviews Number of CFD Forex Pairs to Trade 60+ Leverage Forex & Metals CFDs: 1:30
Index CFDs: 1:20
Cryptocurrencie CFDs: 1:2Spread EURUSD: 1.0
USDJPY: 1.7
EURGBP: 1.5
GBPUSD: 1.6Forex Commission per Lot per Trade $0 Deposit Methods Debit Visa/Mastercard, Wire transfer, Apple Pay, Google Pay Withdrawal Methods Debit Visa/Mastercard, Wire transfer, Apple Pay, Google Pay Key Pros
- Trades publicly on the London Stock Exchange
- Commission-free CFD trading with tight spreads
- Great selection of analytical tools and educational materials
- Easy and quick account opening
- Provides real-time quotes
Key Cons
- Charges administrative fees on inactive accounts
- The platform could use more customization features
FxPro Broker Details Supports Romanian Yes Romanian Currency (RON) No Regulators FCA (No. 509956), FSCA (No.45052), SCB (No. SIA-F184), FSA (SD120) Min Deposit $100 Trading Platforms MetaTrader4, MetaTrader5, cTrader, FxPro Edge (proprietary) Trustpilot Rating 3.9 out of 860 reviews Number of CFD Forex Pairs to Trade 70+ Leverage Forex & Metals CFDs: 1:30
Index CFDs: 1:20
Cryptocurrencie CFDs: 1:2Spread EURUSD: 1.45
USDJPY: 1.85
EURGBP:- 0.1 (MT4)
- 1.3 (MT5)
GBPUSD: 1.99Forex Commission per Lot per Trade $0 on Standard Account; $3.5 per side on Raw+ and Elite Accounts Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Domestic Bank Transfer, International Bank Transfer, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Union Pay, Broker-to-Broker Transfer Withdrawal Methods Bank Transfer, Mastercard, Visa, Union Pay, Maestro, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller Key Pros
- Over 2,100 CFDs across six asset classes
- Zero fees on deposits and withdrawals
- Floating spreads with no commissions on MT4 FX trades
- Winner of over 100 industry awards
- Fills orders within less than 11 milliseconds
Key Cons
- FX spreads are slightly higher than industry averages
- Charges maintenance fees after six months of inactivity
Axi Broker Details Supports Romanian No Romanian Currency (RON) No Regulators ASIC, FCA, CySEC, DFSA, FSA (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), FMA Min Deposit $0; $5 (EU and UK) Trading Platforms MetaTrader4, MT4 WebTrader, Axi Mobile Trustpilot Rating 4.2 out of 4,375 reviews Number of CFD Forex Pairs to Trade 80 Leverage Forex & Metals CFDs: 1:30
Index CFDs: 1:20
Cryptocurrencie CFDs: 1:2Spread EURUSD: 1.2
USDJPY: 1.3
EURGBP: 1.1
GBPUSD: 1.3Forex Commission per Lot per Trade $0 on Standard Account; $7 round trip on Pro Account Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, Bank Transfer, Neteller, Skrill, AstroPay, Fasapay, Przelewy24, Boleto, Pix, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, Tether, Stellar, POLi, iDEAL, Sofort, Giropay Withdrawal Methods Mastercard, Visa, Bank Transfer, Przelewy24, Fasapay, Skrill, AstroPay, Pix, Boleto, Neteller, Bitcoin, Ripple, Ethereum, Litecoin, Tether, Stellar Key Pros
- Provides multilingual customer support
- Standard and Pro accounts available in 10 base currencies
- No minimum deposit requirements on Pro and Standard accounts
- Over 70 FX pairs tradable from zero pips
- Swift order execution and tight spreads
Key Cons
- A limited choice of trading platforms
- Below-average number of tradable symbols
10. Capital.comTRADE NOW 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.Capital.com Broker Details Supports Romanian Yes Romanian Currency (RON) No Regulators ASIC, FCA, CySEC, SCB, SCA (UAE) Min Deposit $20 ($50 for wire transfers) Trading Platforms MetaTrader 4, TradingView Trustpilot Rating 4.5 out of 12,925 reviews Number of CFD Forex Pairs to Trade 130+ Leverage Forex & Metals CFDs: 1:30
Index CFDs: 1:20
Cryptocurrencie CFDs: 1:2Spread EURUSD: 0.6
USDJPY: 1.0
EURGBP: 2.0
GBPUSD: 1.3Forex Commission per Lot per Trade $0 Deposit Methods Bank transfers, VISA, MasterCard, Maestro, Apple Pay, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Sofort, Przelewy, TrueLayer, iDEAL, Trustly, SPEI, Volt, Lean, USDT Withdrawal Methods Bank transfers, bank cards, Apple Pay, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Sofort, Trustly Key Pros
- Trusted by 740,000 traders across the globe
- Trading guides for beginner, intermediate, and advanced traders
- Mobile apps for Android and iOS devices
- Low FX fees that are built into the spread
- Negative balance protection
Key Cons
- There is an inactivity fee after 1 year of an account being dormant
- Capital.com does not accept US, Canadian, and Belgian customers
- Only CFD trading is supported
ActivTrades Broker Details Supports Romanian No Romanian Currency (RON) No Regulators FCA (UK), CMVM (Portugal), CVM (Brazil), SCB (Bahamas), FSC (Mauritius) Min Deposit $0 Trading Platforms ActivTrader, TradingView, MT4, MT5 Trustpilot Rating 3.9 out of 1,251 reviews Number of CFD Forex Pairs to Trade 56 Leverage Forex & Metals CFDs: 1:30 (1:400 Bahamas)
Index CFDs: 1:20 (1:200 Bahamas)
Cryptocurrencie CFDs: 1:2 (1:20 Bahamas)Spread EURUSD: 0.50
USDJPY: 0.50
EURGBP: 0.80
GBPUSD: 0.80Forex Commission per Lot per Trade $0 Deposit Methods Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Skrill, Neteller, Bank Transfer, Cryptocurrencies Withdrawal Methods Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Bank Transfer, Cryptocurrencies Key Pros
- Holds an FCA license since 2009
- Safeguards all traders with negative balance protection
- Stores customer funds at first-tier banks like Barclays and Lloyd’s
- Supports free PayPal deposits and withdrawals
Key Cons
- Additional fees on deposits with cards
- Charges administrative fees after 50 weeks of inactivity
Is Forex Trading Legal in Romania?
Forex trading is gaining popularity in recent years despite the local market’s minuscule average daily turnover of around $2.9 billion. However, that figure rose to approximately US $3.29 billion, according to data from the latest BIS Triennial Survey conducted in 2025. If you are a resident of Romania and you would like to trade currency pairs, you can legally participate in this type of activity. Luckily forex trading is a completely regulated market, with the ASF being the official regulatory body responsible for overlooking the operations of forex brokers within the country.
To be able to legally operate in Romania, brokers must obtain a license from the ASF. To do that, they must meet certain criteria to prove they are eligible to serve Romanian traders. The ASF is responsible for taking action against illegal trading activities and preventing unregulated brokers from accessing the Romanian forex trading market.
Since Romania is a part of the EU, forex brokers operating in the local market are also required to follow ESMA (European Securities and Markets Authority) guidelines and operate in accordance with MiFID II. In Romania, MiFID II has been transposed into national legislation, primarily through Law No. 126/2018 on markets in financial instruments, often referred to as the Romanian MiFID II Law or MiFIL.
This also means that Romanian traders are not required to necessarily join forex brokers that have been licensed by the ASF. Instead, they can join any broker authorized to operate in the EU and EEA, with regulators like the BaFin and CySEC often indicating you can trust the brand with your forex trading.
Romanian traders can legally engage in spot forex trading where they buy or sell currencies at current market prices with immediate settlement. Contracts for difference can also be legally offered to local retail traders as long as the brokers implement leverage caps and provide safeguards like negative balance protection in line with national and broader EU requirements.
In 2018, ESMA officially prohibited the marketing, distribution, or sale of binary options to retail customers across the EU. The ban was implemented due to concerns over investor protection, as binary options are considered inherently high-risk, speculative products that often result in significant losses for retail traders. In other words, any platform or firm offering forex binary options to a resident of Romania who is considered a retail investor would be in violation of EU and Romanian financial regulations.
Autoritatea de Supraveghere Financiara (ASF) Regulation Info
Like any reputable financial market regulator, the ASF is responsible for several activities that help them regulate the trading market in Romania. The ASF can authorize brokers (Financial Investment Services Companies, or SSIFs) to operate on the territory of Romania, with companies required to submit several documents to prove their eligibility.
Any entity that wishes to join the Romanian trading market must submit a comprehensive authorization file to the ASF, which includes documents detailing their articles of association, minimum capital requirements, a complete business plan with financial projections, and operational procedures for risk management and AML/KYC compliance. The applicants must also provide proof that directors and key personnel meet the MiFID II “fit and proper” criteria.
The ASF is also responsible for monitoring the operations of financial companies and entities offering a wide range of financial services in Romania. Licensed forex brokers are also subject to ASF monitoring, which means the regulator is making sure brokers are compliant with imposed regulatory guidelines.
If you visit the official website of the regulatory body in Romania, you can also see the sanctions imposed on entities that have breached operational rules or have been operating illegally on the territory of Romania. This is a key feature that can help traders learn whether they are trading with a reputable forex broker.
For example, the ASF regularly imposes fines on authorized SSIFs for violations related to MiFID II requirements, such as deficiencies in internal risk management, inadequate anti-money laundering protocols, and breaches of reporting obligations.
Since the ASF operates following ESMA requirements, brokers authorized by the Romanian regulators are also required to be compliant with regulations and laws insisting on providing a fair trading market for all EU and EEA customers. That is why the ASF is also making sure local companies are following ESMA guidelines.
How Can I Verify ASF Authorization?
If a Romanian trading company has been registered with the ASF, it should provide all relevant information on its official website. Meanwhile, you can verify this information on the official website of the ASF, where the regulator has listed all companies registered with the Romanian financial regulator. Another option is to check the ESMA’s registers where you will find a full list of forex brokers authorized to serve clients in the EU, including Romanian traders.
As already mentioned, the ASF also publishes public statements about any entity that has been fined by the regulator for breaching local trading regulations. That way, traders can be aware of any brokers that have been negligent in their operations or have been conducting trading operations without the proper authorization.
Are my Funds Safe with Forex Brokers in Romania?
When you trade with a broker authorized in Romania, you can be sure that your funds will be fully protected, with Romanian forex brokers following strict ESMA trading regulations. As already mentioned, traders based in this European country can choose to join brokers licensed by other regulatory bodies across the EU and EEA.
With major regulators like the BaFin and the CySEC being some of the authorities ensuring safe forex trading for Romanians, it is also guaranteed that one’s money will always be protected via a wide range of security tools and measures adopted by all regulated EU brokers. Not only will all properly regulated brokers implement industry-standard software solutions like SSL encryption to protect your transactions, but you can often enjoy additional protection for your money.
Any reputable Romanian broker is making sure that the company’s funds and the money of investors are kept in separate bank accounts. In addition to that, brokers must meet requirements for certain starting capital when they apply for operational licenses. That way, entities can ensure they are eligible to fulfill their customers’ withdrawal requests even in the case of said companies ceasing their operations.
Furthermore, all ASF-regulated investment firms are members of the Investor Compensation Fund (Fondul de Compensare a Investitorilor, or FCI), which provides a layer of protection if the broker becomes insolvent. This scheme is designed to compensate eligible investors up to the statutory maximum of €20,000 per person, ensuring coverage for unreturned funds or financial instruments.
Under ESMA regulations, all EU-regulated brokers, including those authorized by Romania’s ASF, must comply with leverage caps of 1:30 for major currency pairs and 1:20 for minors and exotics when serving retail traders. Mandatory margin close-out rules are also in place, requiring brokers to automatically close open positions when account equity falls to 50% of the required margin. Furthermore, there are restrictions on bonuses and incentives, designed to prevent traders from taking an excessive risk.
Most regulated brokers operating in Romania also offer negative balance protection, which is a great tool for limiting the risk level forex traders may be exposed to while trading currency pairs. Properly regulated companies should also provide enough information about the risks related to any form of trading they offer, with extra educational tools allowing traders to make informed decisions while they trade forex pairs.
Do Romanian Brokers Provide Negative Balance Protection?
Since Romanian brokers are required to abide by the rules imposed by ESMA, they should ensure a fair and safe trading environment for their customers. Specifically, they must enforce a margin close-out (MCO) on a per-account basis, which requires them to automatically liquidate one or more of the retail client’s open CFD positions when their equity falls to 50% of the minimum maintenance margin. Negative balance protection is a feature that regulated EU brokers are required to implement into their operations, allowing forex brokers to be more cautious with their trading.
The negative balance protection tool comes in handy whenever traders are trying to take advantage of higher leverage. Unfortunately, while it can be very profitable, higher leverage can also lead to massive losses accumulated in no time. That is why, most Romanian brokers will apply this additional layer of protection to the accounts of their retail customers. With negative balance protection attached to your balance, you cannot amass losses that exceed the amount of your deposits.
Do Traders Pay Taxes on Forex Trading in Romania?
While Romania brokers must ensure fair and safe trading conditions for their clients, local traders are also responsible for their trading endeavors. Some of the responsibilities of Romanian investors include paying any forex trading-related taxes that may apply to their profits.
In most areas where forex trading is legal and regulated, traders are required to pay taxes on their income generated through forex trading. Romania has also introduced such a fee that will apply to the profits local traders have earned while they have been trading currency pairs. At the moment of writing this article, the general income tax rate in Romania is 10%. For income from the transfer of securities and operations with derivative financial instruments conducted through intermediaries, the tax rates are actually 1% for holding periods exceeding one year and 3% for shorter holding times. If said transactions are not carried out through an intermediary, the general annual tax rate of 10% applies.
Additionally, the Romanian government has recently introduced stricter reporting requirements for foreign-sourced income, including profits from brokers licensed elsewhere in the EU. As of January 2025, if your annual capital gains, including your profits from forex trading, exceed a threshold equivalent to 6 national minimum gross salaries, you may also be liable for health insurance contributions at 10% of the taxable base, in line with broader tax reforms. For clarification, the minimum salary in the country amounts to RON 4,050 as of early January 2025, so the threshold would be RON 24,300 (approximately €4,800). Keep in mind minimum salaries are subject to change over time.
We advise Romanian forex traders to always contact local financial experts to make sure there have not been any changes in laws and applicable tax rates. That way they can be sure that they are diligent with their forex trading on the territory of Romania.
Leverage Comparison at ASF-Regulated and Offshore Brokers
While trading currency pairs, forex traders are often concerned about the leverage they can enjoy. Although that may depend on the broker’s policy, the maximum allowed leverage is also determined by the local regulator responsible for ensuring a safe trading environment for investors. If you are trading currency pairs with a broker regulated in Romania, you will be offered a maximum leverage of 1:30 on major pairs and 1:20 on exotic or non-major pairs. In fact, these are the limits imposed on all brokers operating in the EU and EEA, as said limits were introduced by ESMA as a safety measure to reduce risk levels.
While higher leverage could potentially offer huge returns, it is also extremely risky as it can cost traders bigger losses. That is why other regulators have also adopted significantly low leverage maximum, with FCA and ASIC also requiring UK and Australian brokers to offer up to 1:30 leverage on major pairs and 1:20 on non-major pairs.
Other markets have increased the potential maximum leverage, with US brokers being allowed to offer up to 1:50 leverage on major pairs. It should be noted that regulators in some states have allowed brokers to impose lower leverage limits.
While most regulators have taken a more cautious approach, there are also markets where you can see the leverage go as high as 1:5,000 or even higher. One example of such a market is the Seychelles, with local brokers being compliant with regulations imposed by the FSA.
Eligibility Criteria for Becoming a Professional Trader in Romania
While leverage limits offer a safer approach to forex trading, some traders do not appreciate this type of restriction, especially if they tend to trade bigger volumes. Luckily, leverage limits apply only to retail traders while professionals can enjoy reduced commissions and significantly higher leverage. To be eligible for a professional trading status, however, you must meet certain criteria.
According to ESMA, traders in the EU and EEA, including Romania, can apply for professional trading accounts if they can prove that they are experienced enough, have the knowledge to understand financial markets, and have the funds to support trading with bigger sums. As long as they meet two of the three requirements we have listed below, Romanian investors can be classified as professional traders:
- Make at least 10 transactions of a significant amount per quarter in the last one year
- Prove to have at least one year of experience working in the financial markets industry
- Have a portfolio of financial instruments that is equal to or exceeds €500,000
Each reputable forex broker operating in Romania will allow its clients to apply for a professional trading account, requiring several documents that can help them verify their eligibility for a professional status. If you want to enjoy the perks that come with professional trading, make sure to follow the steps required by your broker of choice and you can start enjoying better pricing and higher leverage in no time.
What Trading Platforms are Available to Romanian Traders?
Romanian traders will have no issue trading with any of the top forex brokers we have listed in this article, as they all offer some of the most popular trading platforms to their clients. While there are many brands that offer their proprietary platforms, which may often include exclusive and extremely useful tools, it is also common to see platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5, cTrader, and WebTrader supported by the majority of Romanian forex brokers.
MetaTrader 4: You cannot go wrong if you choose to trade with MT4, with this platform being one of the most suitable options for forex traders. With a user-friendly interface, MT4 allows both newbies and advanced traders to enjoy smooth trading experiences. Whether you are on your desktop device or your smartphone, the majority of brokers will allow you to use MT4 across various devices.
MetaTrader 5: Considered by many as the more advanced option of MT4, this platform adds to the forex and CFD options available in MT4. With more markets, additional instruments, and great insight into trading, investors can easily make decisions and place orders on the MT5 platform.
MT4/MT5 WebTrader: No matter how convenient other platforms may seem, some investors do not appreciate the inconvenience of having to install additional software on their devices. That is why, many Romanian brokers have added the WebTrader versions of MT4 and MT5 to their offerings, allowing a seamless trading experience available straight on your browser. Whether you are on your computer or your smartphone, all you need to access numerous markets is to launch the WebTrader platform in your browser.TradingView: TradingView is a modern and versatile web-based charting platform that has gained immense popularity among Romanian and global traders, from beginners to professionals. It distinguishes itself with its advanced charting tools, extensive library of technical indicators, and powerful social networking features, allowing users to share analysis, ideas, and strategies. Many forex and CFD brokers popular in Romania integrate directly with TradingView, enabling traders to execute orders right from the charts, making it a highly convenient option for market analysis and trade management across various asset classes like forex, stocks, and crypto, accessible on any device via a web browser.
cTrader: This platform makes trading a lot smoother, intuitive, and advanced. With many advanced traders enjoying the options in cTrader, quite a few Romania forex brokers have adopted the platform, allowing their clients to enjoy access to numerous charts, analysis, and drawing tools. With cTrader, it is much easier to make informed decisions and assess the risk while trading forex pairs and other products.
Follow the links below for further reading on forex regulatory requirements in Romania. You can find comprehensive information on locally registered financial companies, the legal framework they follow, and consumer protection policies in the country. We have also included links to the registers of other EU-based financial regulators whose brokering licenses are valid in Romania.
- The Romanian Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF) oversees and regulates all non-bank participants in the local financial market, including private pension funds, insurance companies, and brokerages.
- The official ASF public register contains information about the entities authorized by the Romanian financial regulator. The register has dedicated sections for each type of regulated entity and is updated each quarter.
- Alternatively, Romanian traders can check CySEC’s register, as Cypriot licensees can legally accept customers from other EU and EEA member states. Other prominent financial regulators whose licenses hold weight in Romania include BaFin, FINMA, KNF, and AMF, among others.
- Inform yourself about unauthorized entities targeting the local market and the consumer protection policies adopted by the ASF. Local customers can submit complaints through the online portal, local postal services, and email.