New ANAF rules on modern payments and business accounts from 2026
From 1 January 2026, companies, PFAs (sole traders), individual and family businesses, and other categories of taxpayers in Romania will have to comply with new obligations imposed by…
Todos & Company editorial team · EU funding consultancy since 2006
The regulatory context and the aim of the new obligations
From 1 January 2026, companies, PFAs (sole traders), sole proprietorships and family businesses, as well as other categories of taxpayers in Romania, will have to comply with new obligations under tax legislation concerning modern means of payment and the opening of payment accounts. These rules stem from Law No. 70/2015 on strengthening financial discipline in cash receipts and payments, and are a coherent measure by ANAF (National Agency for Fiscal Administration) and the financial authorities to combat tax evasion and increase transparency in economic transactions.
Through these changes, the authorities aim to reduce the circulation of cash, which has long been a channel vulnerable to diversion of funds from the state budget and to the financing of illicit economic activities.
Who is affected by the new obligations?
The list of affected taxpayers is broad and includes:
- Romanian and foreign legal entities authorised to carry out economic activity on national territory
- Authorised natural persons (PFAs), sole proprietorships and family businesses
- Entities carrying out commercial activities, providing services or earning taxable income in other ways
This broad scope signals that the rules are not limited to large players: small and medium-sized entrepreneurs must also adapt their financial and accounting practices.
What do the new requirements on modern means of payment involve?
In essence, companies will have to use modern means of payment in their economic transactions, which means wider access to electronic payments, bank cards, online payment systems and other digital tools. Specific limits and conditions will also be imposed on cash transactions, restricting their amounts and ensuring much stricter monitoring of financial operations.
For this category of taxpayers, opening a payment account becomes a mandatory step, which facilitates all modern payments and reduces dependence on cash. The payment account will serve as the central point for collecting, transferring and settling funds.
Advantages and challenges for entrepreneurs
Although the new rules may seem bureaucratic and hard to implement for some, they bring a number of significant benefits:
- Greater financial transparency makes it easier to obtain bank financing or EU funds, where a clear transaction history is vital;
- Lower operational risks linked to handling cash, such as theft or accounting errors;
- Improved internal control and management of cash flows;
- Preparing the company for a digitalised economy, which is becoming ever more competitive globally.
On the other hand, for many entrepreneurs, especially those in rural areas or with traditional activities, the challenges lie in adapting quickly to new technologies and the need to invest in IT infrastructure and staff training.
What should companies prepare in order to comply with these rules?
Proper preparation, done in good time, is essential. The most important steps to take include:
- Opening or updating a bank payment account dedicated to the business;
- Implementing modern payment solutions, such as POS terminals or electronic payment platforms, including for online sales;
- Updating internal procedures for receipts and payments so that they comply with the new legislation, including limiting cash amounts to the legally permitted level;
- Training finance, accounting and sales staff to handle the new conditions correctly;
- Keeping the supporting documentation that ANAF requires in the event of a tax inspection, which may include bank statements, contracts, invoices and supporting documents for modern payments;
- Regularly consulting official sources and tax advisers to keep track of any legal changes.
Moreover, investing in digitalisation and in the automation of financial processes can turn this adaptation into a competitive advantage in the medium and long term.
Want to find out what non-refundable funding you can access?
The Todos Company team helps you with the whole process: from checking eligibility and calculating your score, to preparing the application file and submitting the project.
