Romanians plan to tighten spending and boost savings in 2026 – survey

At the start of the year, Romanians are taking a cautious view of their personal finances. According to a study conducted by Raiffeisen Bank Romania in partnership with Appinio, more than half of respondents (53%) say they intend to manage their spending more carefully in 2026, while over 30% plan to start saving.

In response to economic developments, 43% of Romanians aim to increase their personal income this year. At the same time, one in three respondents who already save say they plan to grow their savings by 10–20% compared to last year.

“Romanians want, more than ever, safe and transparent solutions for managing their finances. The survey shows that they are aware of economic challenges, but they are not giving up on their financial goals. This balanced approach is essential in the current context, and our mission is to be a trusted partner that provides the support needed for each client to make informed decisions and turn objectives into concrete plans, for healthy personal financial management,” said Mihail Ion, VP Retail, Raiffeisen Bank Romania.

Growing appetite for saving

The results show that Romanians continue to adopt a prudent and balanced approach to saving in 2026. A significant share of respondents (40%) say they will save more than last year, 30% expect to maintain the same level of savings, while 16% anticipate a notable reduction. These figures point to a broader trend of strengthening personal financial discipline amid economic uncertainty.

Investment preferences remain cautious

When it comes to financial investments, such as shares, bonds, or government securities, attitudes in 2026 remain reserved but stable. More than one-third of respondents (36%) say they will keep their investment levels unchanged compared to 2025, while around 29% plan to invest more. The data suggests a polarised investment behaviour, with some respondents continuing to seek diversification, while others opt for a more cautious stance.

Inflation remains the main concern

Rising prices are seen as the main challenge in 2026 by 58% of respondents. In this context, 17% believe it will be difficult to save, while 12% are concerned about job security.

Home renovation or furnishing is the main planned expense for 25% of respondents, while around 16% are considering purchasing a property. At the same time, roughly one in four Romanians say they do not plan any major purchases in 2026.

Banks seen as financial partners

For more than 75% of respondents, banking services represent real support in achieving financial goals, highlighting the increasingly important role of banks as partners in personal financial planning and management.

Despite the uncertain economic context, almost half of Romanians (45%) say they are optimistic and expect 2026 to be a better year financially. About one in four (24%) anticipate a year similar to 2025, while 12% believe it will be significantly harder to achieve their financial objectives this year.

The research on Romanians’ financial resolutions for 2026 is part of the Despre Bani 1:1 series run by Raiffeisen Bank Romania. The study was conducted in January 2026 using the CAWI method on a nationally representative sample of 800 respondents aged 18 to 65.