How to choose a European PCB manufacturer for prototypes and small series
A checklist for engineers and purchasers: what really matters when you order printed circuit boards in Europe instead of overseas.
Why order PCBs in Europe
- Short, predictable delivery. Boards ship within the EU without customs clearance, so the delivery date is the production time plus a few days of transport.
- Direct contact. When a question about your files comes up, you reach the manufacturer in the same time zone and can settle it the same day.
- EU environmental rules. Lead-free finish, RoHS compliance and environmental management apply to the whole production.
- Your data stays in the EU. Design files are handled under European data-protection rules and treated as confidential.
- Smaller risk when something goes wrong. A remake or a replacement lot does not mean weeks of intercontinental shipping.
Checklist: what to ask any PCB manufacturer
| Question | Why it matters | PCB-ELECTRA |
|---|---|---|
| Certification | Shows controlled processes and environmental management | ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, IPC-A-610G |
| Testing | Opens and shorts are invisible to the eye | 100% electrical test (short circuit and open circuit, flying probe) and AOI inspection on all boards at no extra charge |
| Lead time | A date must be reliable, not only short | Standard 9 working days (1–2 layer and aluminium), urgent production available |
| Minimum order | Prototype work starts at one piece | From 1 piece, no minimum |
| Production site | A trading company adds a layer between you and the factory | 100% in-house production in Iași, Romania |
| Technical limits | Check size, layers and drill before you design | 1–6 layers, FR4 and IMS Aluminium, up to 390 × 520 mm |
| Price transparency | An instant, itemised price makes offers comparable | Online calculator in EUR |
Compare like with like
When you compare quotes, use the same files and the same material, thickness, copper weight, surface finish, electrical test and delivery time. Then add transport and check whether duties or import VAT apply: a low board price can disappear once shipping from outside the EU is added. Also check whether electrical testing is included or charged separately.
From prototype to series
Keep the stack-up and material you validated. At PCB-ELECTRA the same factory builds a single prototype and a production run, so the board you approved is the board you receive in series.
Typical timeline
- Upload your Gerber archive in the price calculator and get an instant estimate in euros.
- Our sales team sends the official offer, within 1 business day.
- You confirm the order; our engineers check the files.
- Production: 9 working days as standard for 1–2 layer and aluminium boards (longer for multilayer), faster for urgent orders.
- Delivery across the EU, with economy or express shipping.
Who we are
PCB-ELECTRA is the printed-circuit brand of ELECTRA Group in Iași, Romania — over 18 years of experience and 100% in-house production, from 1 to 6 layers. Our offers and terms are addressed to professional customers (B2B). More about the company and our production, or contact us with your project.
Frequently asked questions
Why order printed circuit boards from a European manufacturer?
Shorter transport, no customs formalities inside the EU, a contact in your time zone and communication in your language. That makes prototypes and repeat orders easier to plan.
Where is PCB-ELECTRA based?
We are ELECTRA S.R.L. in Romania, in the European Union. We produce for professional customers in Germany, France and across Europe.
What is the minimum order quantity?
One piece. We make prototypes as well as series.
Browse the questions and answers →
Get the price of your PCB
Upload your Gerber files in the calculator and get an instant estimate in euros.
Open the price calculator →Ask an engineer
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