The payments Romanians made abroad using Mastercard and Maestro cards issued in Romania increased by 30% in June 2016, compared to the similar period in 2015, according to a statement from Mastercard.

Moreover, two-thirds of the volumes of POS payments made across the border with cards issued in Romania were made using these cards.

However, the average transaction value made by Romanian Mastercard and Maestro cardholders at foreign POS terminals decreased by nearly 10% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2016, to RON 238 (some EUR 52).

"The tendency to pay by card for the usual, lower-value purchases is gradually becoming part of the Romanian consumers’ behavior even when travelling across the border," reads the statement.

One of the main factors for the increased uptake of Mastercard and Maestro card payments is the widespread acceptance network.

"Acceptance has also been a major point of focus for us locally, and at this time Mastercard is the most accepted card in Romania, with a nationwide acceptance footprint encompassing more than 144.500 terminals, according to the central bank’s figures for the first quarter, as well as an unmatched public transportation acceptance network," said Cosmin Vladimirescu, general manager Mastercard Romania.

Mastercard is a technology company in the global payments industry, active in more than 210 countries and territories.

Mastercard and Maestro cards in Romania, up 30% in 5 years

Romanians still prefer cash to card payments

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com