NBR authorized the instant payment system BLIK ROMANIA. The company planned to gradually introduce BLIK payments across all sales channels starting e-commerce.
BLIK Romania, registered in Bucharest, has obtained authorization for the operation of the BLIK payment system. This decision will enable the development of this system in local currency (RON) and open it to Romanian payment service providers. As a first step, the operator plans to focus on the development of payments in the e-commerce channel, thus responding to the dynamic growth of the online sector in Romania. The system will operate under the continuous supervision of the Romanian financial regulator.
BLIK strengthens presence in the CEE region
BLIK Romania was filed with the Trade Register in Romania at the beginning of December 2022, and its official launch was announced in March 2023. Since then, the company’s management has worked intensively to adapt the system to local regulatory and legal requirements, as well as to build a development strategy based on the specifics of the Romanian market. Obtaining the operating authorization from the National Bank of Romania (BNR), on October 1, 2024, six months after submitting the authorization application, allows the start of operations and the continuation of preparations for the launch of the system.
BLIK Romania was registered in the Romanian Trade Register at the beginning of December 2022, and the official launch of its activities was announced in March 2023. Since then, the company’s management has worked intensively to adapt the system to local legal and regulatory requirements, as well as to build a development strategy based on the specifics of the Romanian market.
Thanks to the BNR decision, BLIK will be available to all payment service providers authorized to provide in Romania both payment transaction acceptance and electronic payment instrument issuance services. As collaboration with partners evolves, consumers in Romania will be able to benefit from secure and easy-to-use BLIK mobile payments.
– The granting of the operating authorization by the BNR is a key step in the development of BLIK in Romania, which is one of the most important markets in the CEE region, especially in terms of e-commerce growth. The dynamic development of the digital sector and the growing popularity of cashless transactions create the perfect conditions for the implementation of a modern payment solution such as BLIK. We are open to continue discussions with various entities in the Romanian market – says Ryszard Drużynski, CEO of BLIK Romania S.A.
The authorization of the BLIK payment system administered by BLIK Romania SA was granted by the National Bank of Romania pursuant to the NBR Regulation no. 3 of 2018 and is an unconditional authorization for the operation of the system on the Romanian market. The BNR’s decision confirms that the technology used in the BLIK payment system is secure and will contribute to greater convenience of the users in the domestic market.
Focus on e-commerce
As part of BLIK Romania’s business strategy, it is planned to gradually introduce BLIK payments across all sales channels. In the first phase, the system administrator will focus on implementing the solution in e-commerce.
– BLIK Romania is the result of careful preparation and detailed analysis of the local payments market. We held many discussions and meetings with key players and decision-makers in order to best adapt our solution to local needs. The experience gained in Poland shows that the simplicity and intuitiveness of the system not only supports the development of e-commerce but can also contribute to financial inclusion and the reduction of cash use, particularly in rural areas. We believe BLIK has the potential to play a significant role not only in large Romanian cities but also in smaller towns – emphasizes Ryszard Drużynski.
It is worth noting that in Poland, where BLIK has been developed for almost 10 years, payments in the e-commerce channel account for half of all transactions. The BLIK online payment process is quick and intuitive. No payment card or wallet is required to complete the transaction – just a phone with internet access and the bank’s mobile app. In order to pay, you need to generate a six-digit BLIK code in the app, enter it on the shop’s website, and confirm the operation on your device.
– BLIK has rapidly established itself as a leader in fast and secure online payments across Poland and Central Eastern Europe. This strong track record reinforces our confidence in achieving similar success in the rapidly expanding Romanian market. The ongoing digital transformation is fueling e-commerce growth, with Statista projecting an increase of 2.2 million users in this sector, reaching 8.6 million by 2029. As BLIK, we are positioned to be a key player in this evolution, offering a reliable, scalable payment solution and a commitment to long-term partnerships with innovative local stakeholders – says Dariusz Mazurkiewicz, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of BLIK Romania S.A.
The official announcement on the authorization of the BLIK payment system by the National Bank of Romania can be found here
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BLIK Romania S.A. is responsible for the development of the BLIK payment system in the Romanian market, operating based on the local settlement infrastructure and the authorization of the National Bank of Romania (BNR). Its aim is to promote the innovative BLIK payment solution, initially focusing on the e-commerce sector. The implementation of the system in the local market is managed by a team of experienced banking technology experts, led by Ryszard Druzynski, who has 7 years of experience in leading banking strategy and operations in the Romanian banking sector. The BLIK payment system is the first system in Romania to be authorized by the National Bank of Romania based on the NBR Regulation no. 3 of 2018.
BLIK is a common mobile payment standard created in 2015 in Poland. The ability to use BLIK in mobile banking applications is now available to virtually every customer of payment institutions offering a mobile app in the Polish market. BLIK enables online payments, payments at traditional payment terminals (POS) using a BLIK code and contactless options, deposits and withdrawals from ATMs, and instant money transfers to a phone number (P2P). Polski Standard Płatności (PSP) is responsible for developing the system. PSP continually enhances BLIK’s features to make the system as functional as possible for its users. Currently, it is actively used by nearly 17 million users.
