Romania keeps attracting foreign capital, but Romanian residents’ investments abroad remain far smaller, an Adevărul analysis of National Bank data shows.

At end-2025, the stock of foreign direct investment in Romania stood at €134.82bn, while Romanian residents’ outward FDI totaled €9.68bn — nearly a 14-to-1 ratio.

In annual flows, Romania drew €7.91bn in net inward FDI in 2025, up from €5.6bn in 2024. Outward investment by Romanian residents rose from €861m to €1.52bn.

Of the €9.68bn outward stock, about €5.59bn was reinvested in Romania via companies registered abroad; the remaining roughly €4.09bn points to other final destinations.

IMM Romania president Florin Jianu says scarce capital and weak public support block internationalization, in a business fabric skewed toward trade rather than production.

Only 6.77% of firms took part in internationalization actions in 2025, according to the 2026 White Charter of SMEs; that share also covers exports and trade fairs, not only FDI.

Foreign-controlled companies made about 70% of Romania’s goods exports in 2024 (80% in manufacturing) and nearly double the value added per worker of domestic firms, the analysis cites from OECD data.

Jianu wants a stronger role for economic attachés and sector schemes; the OECD urges better financing, innovation support and less red tape.

Romania draws foreign investors, but Romanian firms invest little abroad — Adevărul

Image: Wikimedia Commons — National Bank of Romania (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Sources consulted: Romania draws foreign investors, but Romanian firms invest little abroad — Adevărul.