External tourism, growing accelerated. The huge amount spent by Romanians abroad this summer
Two million Romanians spent billions of euros in the summer season in over 200 tourist destinations abroad, especially in Greece, Italy and Germany, the big winner of the season, but Bulgaria, in which the Romanians left 29% more than in the last season.
The Romanians emptied their holiday accounts in Greece, Italy and Germany. Photo shutterstock
An analysis based on the internal data of Revolut and those in the Dynata polls shows that the biggest increases in the number of Romanian tourists, during the summer leave of 2025, were registered in European countries, and on the first three places, from the perspective of the number of Romanian visitors, the United Kingdom (+46%), 39%) (+26%). Italy (+24%) and Bulgaria (+21%) completed the ranking of the first five destinations whose attractiveness has increased this year.
Nearly two million Romanians spent more than half a billion euros during the mentioned period, abroad.
The European countries in the region remain the favorites of the Romanians
Prior to the holidays, Romanians questioned by Dynata and Revolut said that they go on vacation in places recommended by friends and family (46%), in destinations that are accessible to costs with accommodation and transport (38%) or in places they know very well (35%). One in four respondents indicated that he consulted in choosing the holiday destination blogs or specialized influences, as well as recognized tour guides as Trip Advisor or Lonely Planet. 13% of the participants in the Revolut study stated that they chose the vacation at the recommendations on social media or influencers, and 11% consulted platforms AI before deciding where they go on leave.
Even though 56% of the respondents said that on vacation they only relax and do nothing, in the summer leave of 2025, most Romanian tourists chose to spend with Revolut in the visited places.
Thus, the biggest holiday expenses were made by Romanians in Greece, which was placed on the first position with almost 68 million euros spent. In the second position it was Italy, with almost 64 million euros, followed by Germany with 60 million euros. In total, Romanian tourists spent over 500 million euros in the summer vacation in 204 destinations, more than 8% than in 2024, and carried out over 29 million Revolut cards.
The big winners of the season were the neighbors from the south, the Bulgarians, with a 29% increase in the total amounts spent (41 million euros) compared to last season. Also, exotic or distant destinations such as Japan, Argentina, Morocco, China have appeared in the top 5 holiday locations after the average increase of the amounts spent by Romanian tourists this summer.
“Studies show us that, for most Romanians, holidays are a relaxation opportunity or to spend time with the family. As the economic climate of the coming months is announced for users in this market, the main objective on leave is not to spend more than allows the budget set. Things for customers and help them have a correct and up -to -date image on the funds they have ”said Maria Lukash, Head of Growth for the CEE region at Revolut.
Food shopping, 12% advance
The data show that most categories of expenses have been increasing, compared to the same period last year, except for expenses for tourist services that were in slight decrease.
The largest budget was allocated to the meals and services in restaurants, which progressed from last year with 8% (up to 113 million euros). Purchases from supermarkets and food and household stores increased by 12% (up to 110 million euros). The shopping of non -food products also increased by 9%. The highest increase compared to last year was registered for the category of purchases associated with health and hygiene (+19%). The total amount spent by Romanian users during the summer vacation abroad for transport services reached 69 million euros (+3% VS 2024).
