In short
- Enforcement starts from an enforceable title, such as a final judgment, an enforceable payment order or another document that the law treats as enforceable.
- The creditor applies to a court enforcement officer (executor judecătoresc), who asks the court to approve the enforcement.
- Common methods are garnishment of bank accounts and of amounts owed to the debtor by third parties (poprire), and seizure and sale of movable or immovable assets.
- The debtor may challenge enforcement acts through an enforcement challenge (contestație la executare) within the legal deadlines.
Three steps
1. Enforceable title
Obtain the final judgment, enforceable payment order or EU title with the required certificate.
2. Open the file
Instruct a court enforcement officer, who opens the file and requests court approval.
3. Enforce
Garnishment of accounts and receivables, seizure of assets, sale and distribution.
In detail
Enforceable titles
Final court judgments, enforceable payment orders, arbitral awards declared enforceable, and other documents that Romanian law expressly treats as enforceable titles.
EU judgments and European orders for payment are enforced in Romania on the basis of the documents required by the relevant EU regulation, usually without exequatur.
Opening the enforcement file
The creditor files an enforcement application with a court enforcement officer and attaches the title.
The officer opens the file and asks the competent court to approve enforcement. After approval, the officer serves the debtor and may carry out enforcement acts.
Garnishment and seizure
Garnishment (poprire) targets money: bank accounts and amounts owed to the debtor by its own customers or other third parties.
Movable and immovable assets can be seized and sold at public auction under the Code of Civil Procedure; proceeds are distributed according to the order of preference set by law.
Challenges and limits
The debtor or third parties may challenge enforcement acts through an enforcement challenge within the legal deadlines.
Enforcement costs are advanced by the creditor and may be recovered from the debtor within the limits of the law. Actual recovery depends on the debtor's assets and competing claims.
Documents to prepare
- Enforceable title (judgment, payment order, European order or other title)
- For EU titles: the certificate issued in the State of origin and, where required, a translation
- Debtor identification and any known bank or asset information
- Power of attorney for the Romanian lawyer
- Calculation of the amount claimed, interest and costs
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Official sources
- Romanian Code of Civil Procedure — consolidated text (Legislative Portal)
- Law no. 188/2000 on court enforcement officers — Romanian Legislative Portal
- European e-Justice Portal — enforcement of judgments
General legal information, not legal advice. Each situation requires individual review. Cabinet de Avocatură Pantilimon Rikhárd-Árpád, based in Târgu Mureș.