Uber vs Bolt in Romania in 2026: commissions, fares and bonuses for drivers

Many ride-hailing drivers in Romania work with both Uber and Bolt. For passengers the two apps look almost the same, but for drivers they differ in a few important ways: how the commission is calculated, how the fare is set and what extra you get if you drive a lot.

Commission: fixed at Bolt, variable at Uber

Bolt takes a single 25% commission, the same across the country. In March 2026 the company stated that this is the only commission it charges drivers.

Uber does not publish a fixed percentage. Its commission is dynamic and calculated separately for each ride: from drivers' experience it ranges from about 10% to 35%, and over a whole week it averages out at around 25%. On some rides you get more than you would expect, on others less. You can see the exact commission for each ride in the app, in the trip details.

The figure of 20% for Uber in 2026 also circulates online, but we found no official confirmation. The safest approach is to add up your real commission from the app over a few weeks.

Watch out for VAT: if you work as a PFA or an SRL, you need an intra-EU VAT number and you also pay 21% VAT on the commission. In practice, a 25% commission therefore costs you about 30% of the fare. If you work through a fleet, the fleet handles the VAT, but it also takes its own commission, usually 8–12%.

How the fare is set

In both apps the fare is dynamic: it depends on distance, duration, traffic and the balance between demand for rides and the number of available drivers.

Bolt says it uses an algorithm that considers dozens of factors, including distance, traffic, weather, demand and supply. If a ride ends in an area where you are unlikely to get a new order, this is reflected in the fare. Drivers can choose the radius they accept orders from; rides outside it are optional.

To give you an idea of what passengers pay: in February 2026 a 5 km ride in Bucharest cost about 22–24 RON at night, 35–38 RON in the morning rush hour and 38–42 RON in the afternoon rush hour. In smaller cities the same ride cost 14–22 RON.

Reward programmes

Both apps have tiered programmes for active drivers:

• Bolt Rewards has four tiers. You move up by collecting points for every ride, with extra points at peak times. Bolt has also announced fuel discounts at Rompetrol stations, insurance discounts and accounting support for drivers working as a PFA.
• Uber Pro has tiers such as Blue, Gold, Platinum and Diamond, based on points and quality (rating, cancellation rate). Through the programme Uber has previously offered discounts on fuel, car washes and car insurance.

The actual benefits change often, so check in each app what is on offer now in your city.

Uber or Bolt: which to choose?

On paper the difference ends up small: the average commission comes to around 25% for both. In practice, your earnings depend more on how many orders you get in the areas and at the times you work.

That is why many drivers work on both apps and accept the better of the rides they are offered. When you accept a ride in one app, go offline in the other, so you do not get orders you cannot fulfil; frequent cancellations raise your cancellation rate and can drop you a tier in the rewards programme.

A practical tip: for 2–4 weeks, note separately for each app how much money came in and how many hours you were online. Only then will you see which app works better for you. Then enter the figures in the earnings calculator to see what is left after fuel, the car and taxes.

What is coming: the EU directive

By 2 December 2026, Romania has to transpose Directive (EU) 2024/2831 on platform work. The directive introduces a presumption of employment where the platform controls pay, access to orders or the evaluation of the driver; in that case, the platform has to prove that the driver really works independently. Uber and Bolt maintain that their relationship with drivers is a partnership, not employment. How it is applied in Romania may change the rules for drivers in 2027.

Sources

• Uber and Bolt statements on commission and fare calculation: Digi24, March 2026
• Bolt benefits for drivers: StartupCafe
• Uber Pro: Uber – Uber Pro benefits
• Prices of 5 km rides by city: Gândul, February 2026
• Directive (EU) 2024/2831: Playtech, March 2026