Rising prices over the past year have significantly altered the spending habits of Romanians, with holidays now representing the most costly purchase for many this year. According to a nationwide survey conducted by tbi bank, nearly half of respondents do not plan to make any major purchases beyond one or two holidays.
Following holidays, the most commonly planned purchases among Romanians in 2025 include interior renovation materials (28%), clothing and footwear (28.3%), and household appliances (24.3%). However, only 28% of those surveyed say they intend to buy necessary products or services regardless of price.
When asked about their planned budgets for purchases this year, about one-third of respondents indicated they would spend between 500 and 1,000 euros, while nearly 27% allocated between 1,000 and 3,000 euros.
Additionally, 18.3% reported a budget under 500 euros. Reflecting the challenging economic climate, 27.4% said their budget remained the same as last year despite inflationary pressures. Meanwhile, 13.3% reported an increase of 10-25%, and 12.4% noted a budget reduction of 25-50%.
Regarding financing for larger purchases, 68% said they would rely on personal savings, while 18.7% planned to split the cost evenly between savings and loans. Among those considering loans, over 34% would borrow from family or friends, nearly 27% would use a credit card, and 25.4% would opt for a personal loan.
* The survey, conducted in April 2025 on the iVox platform, sampled 1,030 internet users across Romania. Women accounted for over 46% of participants, and more than 41% reported a net monthly income exceeding 5,000 lei.
