The National Bank of Romania kept its key policy rate unchanged at 6.5% in August 2026, as widely expected. Annual inflation slowed to 10.42% in June, in line with the central bank’s forecast, mainly due to a sharp decline in LFO and fuel prices, partly offset by higher natural gas and electricity costs. Meanwhile, economic activity contracted 1.2% in Q1, following 0.2% growth in the previous quarter, reflecting weaker household spending and a negative contribution from changes in inventories. The NBR expects activity to recover slightly in Q2 and Q3, amid mixed developments across domestic demand components and economic sectors. Inflation is projected to fall sharply to 6.1% in December following the removal of the electricity price cap and increases in VAT and excise duties. After some volatility in Q4 2026, inflation is expected to resume a gradual decline to 3.4% by end-2027, returning to the target range of 1.5% to 3.5%. source: National Bank of Romania

The benchmark interest rate in Romania was last recorded at 6.50 percent. Interest Rate in Romania averaged 5.19 percent from 2005 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 12.50 percent in May of 2005 and a record low of 1.25 percent in January of 2021. This page provides the latest reported value for - Romania Interest Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Romania Interest Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on August of 2026.

The benchmark interest rate in Romania was last recorded at 6.50 percent. Interest Rate in Romania is expected to be 6.50 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Romania Interest Rate is projected to trend around 6.00 percent in 2027 and 5.50 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-15 12:00 PM Interest Rate Decision 6.5% 6.5% 6.5% 6.5%
2026-07-08 12:00 PM Interest Rate Decision 6.5% 6.5% 6.5% 6.5%
2026-08-10 12:00 PM Interest Rate Decision 6.5% 6.5% 6.5% 6.5%
2026-10-08 12:00 PM Interest Rate Decision
2026-11-12 01:00 PM Interest Rate Decision


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Banks Balance Sheet 1024329.31 1022057.93 RON Million Jul 2026
Cash Reserve Ratio 5.00 5.00 percent Jul 2026
Central Bank Balance Sheet 409212.95 411170.04 RON Million Jul 2026
Deposit Interest Rate 5.50 5.50 percent Aug 2026
Foreign Exchange Reserves 63230.00 63493.00 EUR Million Jul 2026
Interest Rate 6.50 6.50 percent Sep 2026
Lending Rate 7.50 7.50 percent Aug 2026
Loans to Private Sector 228023.60 230472.90 RON Million Jul 2026
Money Supply M0 142531.30 140862.20 RON Million Jul 2026
Money Supply M1 491961.10 488561.80 RON Million Jul 2026
Money Supply M2 809285.20 803867.70 RON Million Jul 2026
Money Supply M3 809285.20 803867.70 RON Million Jul 2026


Romania Interest Rate
In Romania, interest rates decisions are taken by the Board of the National Bank of Romania (Banca Nationala a Romaniei). The official interest rate is the Policy Rate.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
6.50 6.50 12.50 1.25 2005 - 2026 percent Daily

News Stream
Romania Holds Interest Rate as Expected
The National Bank of Romania kept its key policy rate unchanged at 6.5% in August 2026, as widely expected. Annual inflation slowed to 10.42% in June, in line with the central bank’s forecast, mainly due to a sharp decline in LFO and fuel prices, partly offset by higher natural gas and electricity costs. Meanwhile, economic activity contracted 1.2% in Q1, following 0.2% growth in the previous quarter, reflecting weaker household spending and a negative contribution from changes in inventories. The NBR expects activity to recover slightly in Q2 and Q3, amid mixed developments across domestic demand components and economic sectors. Inflation is projected to fall sharply to 6.1% in December following the removal of the electricity price cap and increases in VAT and excise duties. After some volatility in Q4 2026, inflation is expected to resume a gradual decline to 3.4% by end-2027, returning to the target range of 1.5% to 3.5%.
2026-08-10
Romania Holds Policy Rate at 6.5%
The National Bank of Romania kept its key policy rate unchanged at 6.5% in June 2026, as expected, citing persistent uncertainties and geopolitical risks. Headline inflation rose to 10.85% in May, reaching its highest level since April 2023, driven by higher natural gas and fuel prices, as well as increased rents for state-owned housing. Economic activity is estimated to have contracted 1.2% in Q1 2026, following 0.2% growth in Q4 2025, as household consumption weakened and investment growth slowed. Looking ahead, the outlook remains dependent on Middle East developments, although economic activity is expected to recover slightly in Q2 amid changes in aggregate demand and key sectors. Inflation is projected to ease significantly in Q3 2026 following the removal of the electricity price cap. Future policy decisions will focus on maintaining price stability and supporting sustainable economic growth.
2026-07-08
Romania Keeps Interest Rate Unchanged as Expected
The National Bank of Romania held its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 6.50% in May 2026, as expected, citing high uncertainty from energy markets, fiscal consolidation and geopolitical tensions. In April 2026, inflation accelerated further to 10.71% from 9.9% in March, driven by higher gas, fuel and regulated prices, alongside oil price gains, base effects and rising rents for state housing. HICP inflation also increased to 9.5%. Looking ahead, inflation is expected to rise further in Q2 2026 due to energy shocks, before falling later in the year and gradually returning to target in 2027, assuming continued disinflation from weaker demand and fiscal tightening.
2026-05-15