The monthly payments at POS-es abroad hit an all-time high this year, RON556 million, three times the monthly average of 2008, when the first such data was published.
On the other hand, non-residents made RON1.5 billion payments at Romanian retailers in January-September, an increase of 25% on the same time last year. The monthly payment average made by foreigners at local POS-es was RON171 million.
Card payments at retailers abroad and in Romania have been gradually gaining ground over the last few years as a result of the increase in online payments, of the change of generation of cardholders and of the technological development. However, withdrawals from ATMs continue to account for the bulk of card transactions.
Romanians most often use their cards abroad to pay for accommodation services, clothing and fuel, according to Visa data. They spent most money in Italy, France and the UK last year. Visa data also shows that one third of the payments by card at retailers abroad are made in June, July, August and September, therefore during the vacation season.
Withdrawals from ATMs abroad rose by 20% to RON2 billion in the first nine months, while non-residents withdrew RON3.2 billion from cash dispensers in Romania, 12% more than in January-September 2013.
The number of payments by card made by non-residents at POS-es in Romania reached an all-time high at the end of September, 2.4 million, half a million more than at the end of June. Average payment made in Romania by cards issued abroad stood at RON290. In comparison, the average card payment made by Romanians abroad stood at RON280.
ATM withdrawals in Romania, too, reached an all-time high in September, 2 million transactions, 12% more than in the year-ago period. Average withdrawal from Romanian ATMs was RON690. On the other hand, Romanians withdrew RON780 from cash dispensers on average abroad.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)