BT Pay: borderless banking for Romanians living abroad. What does the relationship with the bank look like today?
How do you stay close to “home” when you're actually living in another country? For many Romanians in the diaspora, the answer is no longer just about video calls or vacation plans. It's also about the small but essential things: being able to send money to your family, pay a bill in Romania or save without worrying about the distance.
In recent years, the relationship with the bank has changed significantly for Romanians abroad, and mobile applications have become the main access point. One of the visible directions is the simplification of the onboarding process: opening an account no longer requires travel or physical presence, but can be done directly from the phone.
In the case of BT Pay, non-customers of Banca Transilvania can become customers 100% online, both from Romania and from the diaspora. The process takes an average of 7–10 minutes, is available 24/7 and does not involve video calls. A Romanian identity card/Romanian bulletin and a minimum age of 18 are sufficient, regardless of the user's country of residence or the phone number used.
Account opened in minutes, card available immediately
One of the main advantages is the immediate access to services: after completing the onboarding, the user automatically receives the digital card in the application and can start making payments or transfers on the spot. For those who live in Italy, Spain, Germany, Great Britain or the Republic of Moldova, the physical card can be delivered free of charge by courier, without the need to travel within the country.
The current account is opened in lei, and the customer can open an account in other currencies later. Transfers between BT Pay users are also fee-free, regardless of currency, and card payments can be made tax-free both in Romania and abroad.
In addition, users can opt for various current account subscriptions, depending on their needs, and become part of the largest banking community in Romania.
A financial ecosystem in one app
For Romanians in the diaspora, managing money often involves multiple currencies and multiple accounts. In this context, the app allows you to add cards issued by other banks or fintechs abroad and top up your BT account directly from the app.
In addition to payments and transfers, users can:
- pay bills in Romania (telephone, utilities, etc.),
- open savings accounts in lei or euros,
- constitute term deposits in lei, euros and dollars
- use virtual cards in lei, euros and dollars for online purchases or payments at the POS.
Also, the application includes complementary options, such as the purchase of the Rovinieta for Romania or eSIM-type services for mobile data in over 200 destinations, but also travel insurance that covers situations such as medical emergencies, cancellations or lost luggage.
For users who need support, there is also a Call Center team dedicated to Romanians abroad.
Italy, a market treated separately
In parallel, Banca Transilvania launched in 2025 a variant dedicated to the Italian market: BT Pay Italia. The decision comes in the context of a presence in this country for over a decade and the potential for expansion.
The application is aimed at both Romanians and Italians living in Italy and introduces some specific benefits such as opening an account with an Italian IBAN
The process is similar: users download the app, select Italy as their country of residence and confirm their identity. The digital card is available immediately and the physical one is delivered free of charge anywhere in Italy.
Customers benefit from:
- instant transfers in euros or lei to people using BT Pay in Italy or Romania, free of charge, based on the recipient's phone number or IBAN;
- zero account administration fee,
- pay by phone and confirm online payments through the app;
- savings account in euros, with an interest rate of 2.2%/year, as well as the possibility to save through term deposits, with competitive interest rates;
- cash withdrawals from any ATM in Italy. BT offers free 5 free withdrawals/month from ATMs in any country in the world
- dedicated in-app offers.
A simpler relationship with the bank
Against the backdrop of increased mobility and the need for flexibility, digital banking solutions are becoming increasingly important for Romanians in the diaspora. The ability to open and manage a full account online, make payments or savings from a single application and operate in multiple currencies helps to simplify the relationship with the bank.
During this period, the bank is also running a campaign dedicated to new customers from the diaspora and Italy: those who open an account and pay with a euro card can receive 5% cashback, up to 100 euros.
Beyond the functionalities, the change seems to be a deeper one. For expatriate Romanians, “home” is no longer just a place, but a relationship that can be maintained more easily, including through financial services accessible from anywhere. And sometimes, it's these simple things – quickly solved from the phone – that bring the distances closer together.
Article supported by Banca Transilvania
