National Bank of Romania reports EUR 3,191 million current account deficit and external debt rising to EUR 229,963 million in January–February 2026

The National Bank of Romania published provisional balance of payments and external debt data for January–February 2026, showing a current account deficit of EUR 3,191 million, compared with EUR 3,638 million in the same period of 2025. The release also reports non-resident direct investment of EUR 1,128 million and an increase in total external debt by EUR 1,500 million to EUR 229,963 million as at 28 February 2026. Within the current account, the goods deficit narrowed by EUR 932 million, while the services surplus decreased by EUR 225 million; the primary income and secondary income deficits widened by EUR 251 million and EUR 9 million, respectively. Direct investment reflected net equity (including estimated reinvested earnings) of EUR 1,180 million and net negative intra-group loans of EUR 52 million. Long-term external debt stood at EUR 182,519 million (79.4% of total), up 1.2% from 31 December 2025, while short-term external debt fell 1.5% to EUR 47,444 million (20.6%); the long-term external debt service ratio was 12.9% for the period, and reserve-based indicators rose to 6.7 months of import cover and 107.3% coverage of short-term external debt on a residual-maturity basis. The next monthly “Balance of Payments and External Debt” release is scheduled for 18 May 2026.