Open a USD bank account in Romania with Hawala. Receive payments in USD, avoid 3β6% FX fees from platforms like Deel and Gusto. 0 transfer fees, fast setup, no paperwork.
Who Needs a USD Bank Account in Romania?
Freelancers and Remote Workers
If you work on Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal, or directly with US clients, you're likely losing 1β3% on every payment to platform conversion fees. A USD account lets you receive in dollars and convert on your own terms.
Employees and Contractors on HR Platforms
If you're employed by a US company or work as a contractor, your employer likely uses a platform like Deel, Gusto, Remote, or Papaya Global to pay you. Without a USD account, every paycheck gets converted at the platform's rate β and those rates are not in your favor.
Warning
These platforms charge 3β6% on FX when wiring to a non-USD bank account, plus $20β25 per wire. On a $5,000/month salary, that's $225/month lost β $2,700/year. With a Hawala USD account, you receive with 0 transfer fees and minimal FX. Check the current USD to RON rate β
Students
Managing tuition payments, scholarships, or everyday expenses in USD β without the fees that come with international student banking.
Receiving Remittances
Families in Romania receiving money from abroad can get USD directly and convert to Romanian Leu when the rate is favorable β avoiding the fees and poor rates of traditional remittance services.
How to Open a USD Bank Account in Romania
Hawala partners with Lead Bank to provide you a fully named USD bank account β with a real routing number and account number. The entire setup takes a few minutes from your phone.
Step 1: Download Hawala
Download Hawala from the App Store or Google Play. Create an account with your email address.
Step 2: Verify Your Identity
Verification takes under 3 minutes. You'll provide some basic info, a photo of your ID, and a few quick details. No branch visit, no paperwork.
Step 3: Get Your USD Bank Details
Once verified, navigate to your home screen and tap Details. You'll see your bank name, account holder name, bank address, account number, and routing number (ACH). These are your USD bank details β share them with employers, clients, or platforms to start receiving payments.
Step 4: Start Receiving Payments
Share your account details with your employer, freelance platform, or clients. Payments arrive directly in USD β no conversion, no intermediary fees.
Step 5: Withdraw to Your Local Bank
When you're ready to convert, tap Withdraw, select Romania as your withdrawal country, add your local bank account, and initiate the transfer. You'll see the live USD to RON rate before confirming β no surprises.
Fees: Hawala vs Other Options
| Hawala | Romania Banks | Deel / Gusto | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account opening | Free | Varies (often requires minimum deposit) | N/A |
| Monthly fee | $0 | $5β15/month | N/A |
| Incoming transfer fee | $0 | $12β25 per wire | $20β25 per wire |
| FX markup | Minimal (near mid-market) | 1β3% above mid-market | 3β6% above mid-market |
| Setup time | Minutes | Days to weeks | N/A |
| USD to RON rate | ~4.6000 (live mid-market) | Bank's rate (1β3% worse) | Platform's rate (3β6% worse) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Hawala provides a virtual USD bank account that you can open entirely online from Romania. You'll receive a real US routing number and account number without needing to visit the US or any bank branch.
A government-issued photo ID (passport or national ID) and proof of address. The entire process is digital.
With Hawala, receiving USD has 0 transfer fees. Compare this to bank wires ($12β25 per transfer) plus 1β3% FX markup when converting to RON.
The current rate is approximately 1 USD = 4.6000 RON. Hawala uses the real mid-market rate with no hidden markups. Check the live rate on our [currency calculator](/calculator/usd-to-ron).
HR platforms like Deel and Gusto charge 3β6% on FX fees plus $20β25 per wire. With a Hawala virtual USD account, your employer pays you directly in USD via a domestic US transfer β 0 transfer fees and minimal FX when you convert.
Yes. Romanian freelancers operating as PFA (PersoanΔ FizicΔ AutorizatΔ) or SRL can use Hawala USD account details for receiving payments from US clients, avoiding the high FX spreads that Romanian banks charge.
Payments to your Hawala USD account typically arrive within minutes to hours. Compare this to international SWIFT transfers to Romanian banks which can take 2-5 business days.
Related Resources
- β’Send Money to Romania β β Send USD to Romania with real mid-market rates and no hidden fees.
- β’USD to RON Calculator β β Check the live exchange rate and see exactly how much your recipient gets.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Always consult with appropriate professionals before making financial decisions.
