If you are planning to leave Ukraine and need information about legislation, rights, temporary protection or services in a foreign country, contact us and book an online appointment on our website. Our lawyers will provide answers to your questions and help you find a solution to your problem. We understand that legal matters can create stress and anxiety, but our professionals are ready to take responsibility and relieve you and your family of unnecessary burden.
Who is this information for?
In Romania, temporary protection will be provided:
- Citizens of Ukraine who lived in Ukraine until February 24, 2022.
- To stateless persons and citizens of third countries, except Ukraine, who enjoyed international protection or equivalent national protection in Ukraine until February 24, 2022.
- Citizens of Ukraine who have already stayed in Romania until February 24, 2022.
- To family members (spouses, as well as unmarried/unmarried minor children who have not reached the age of 18) of the persons specified in points (1)-(3), as well as other close relatives (direct ascending and descending relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity and respectively, relatives up to the third degree of consanguinity) who lived together as a family when the event leading to the mass flow of displaced persons occurred and who were at that time completely or to a large extent dependent on the person who received the status of temporary protection
Romania: immigration information
What documents do I need for entry?
Anyone fleeing the conflict in Ukraine can enter with a valid passport without a visa.
How can I enter if I do not have a biometric passport?
You can enter with an internal ID card (Ukrainian passport)
If you do not have a passport or other identity documents, you will be allowed to enter Romania, but you will need to apply for asylum/refugee status. In practice, if you only intend to transit through Romania and have no identity documents, exit from Romania will most likely be allowed, but the entry requirements of the destination country should be checked.
How long can I stay?
If you have a valid passport, you can enter Romania and stay there for up to 90 days or apply for temporary protection.
You can stay in Romania without a visa for 90 days in any 180-day period. Temporary protection is granted until March 4, 2023. The period will be automatically extended (if only the situation in the country of origin allows for a safe and long-term return of those granted temporary protection; this will be decided in a decision of the Council of the European Union) for an additional 6 months up to a maximum of 1 additional year.
No.
Where to register for temporary protection?
You can apply for temporary protection:
- When entering Romania at the border checkpoint; or
- After entering Romania, contact the General Inspectorate for Immigration (see https://igi.mai.gov.ro/en/contact-en/ ).
The registration procedure for obtaining temporary protection in Romania is simple and is carried out by the General Inspectorate for Immigration.
During the visit to the authorities, you will go through the following steps:
- Signing consent to the processing of personal data;
- The personal documents you provide will be copied;
- Your personal documents will be checked;
- You will be photographed;
- The following personal data will be recorded: surname and first name, date of birth, citizenship, gender, civil status, family situation, family ties, address in Romania (if known);
- You will receive a residence permit in Romania with a personal digital code ( ‘cod numeric personal / CNP’ in Romanian ).
There is no need to confirm your residential address in Romania if this is not possible.
How long do you have to wait to get temporary protection status?
Temporary protection status is granted automatically, so all rights should be exercised automatically from the moment of crossing the border. A certificate confirming the status of temporary protection is issued upon request by the General Inspectorate for Immigration.
What are my rights while waiting for temporary protection?
Temporary protection is granted automatically, so all rights should be exercised automatically from the moment of crossing the border.
What documents do I need to apply for temporary protection?
The following documents must be submitted to obtain temporary protection status, depending on the situation:
- Identity document (passport, driver’s license, passport for traveling abroad or any other document with a photo);
- A document confirming the status of a person in Ukraine (for example, a permanent residence permit, a document issued to a recipient of temporary protection);
- A document that proves family ties (for example, a family card, birth/marriage certificate).
What documents will I receive when I receive temporary protection?
Persons receiving temporary protection will be issued, upon request, a certificate of temporary protection and a residence permit by the General Inspectorate of Immigration (see https://igi.mai.gov.ro/en/contact-en/ ). Persons receiving temporary protection will also be provided with a personal digital code that they can use when contacting the Romanian authorities.
Can I become a citizen after receiving temporary protection? How long do I need to stay in the country to obtain this right?
The status of temporary protection does not change the general rules for obtaining Romanian citizenship. There are several conditions for obtaining Romanian citizenship, including living in Romania for more than 8 years. For refugees, this term is reduced to 4 years.
Can I move freely within the country and the European Union while under temporary protection?
You are allowed to travel in Romania.
Once you have registered as a beneficiary of temporary protection in Romania and have been granted a residence permit in Romania, you have the right to travel freely to other EU countries for 90 days in each 180-day period.
Since Romania is not part of the Schengen area (an area without internal border controls), your travel documents (e.g. biometric passport or normal passport with visa) will be checked again at the border of the first EU country that is part of the Schengen area (e.g. Hungary). Before traveling, we recommend that you always check the conditions for entry at the embassy of the country where you want to travel.
Remember that the residence permit issued by the General Inspectorate for Immigration to recipients of temporary protection in Romania is not a travel document and does not replace a passport.
Can I apply for asylum while under temporary protection?
People who are entitled to temporary protection can, in principle, apply for asylum at any time. However, you should be aware that the purpose of granting temporary protection is to avoid the international asylum procedure, as you will receive a residence permit and the related rights. Moreover, administrative formalities for temporary protection are kept to a minimum due to the urgency of the situation. In comparison, it should be expected that the procedure for considering an application for international asylum will be more complicated due to the current circumstances, will contain more procedural steps and, therefore, will take much longer to complete. If your application for international asylum is rejected, you can still enjoy the rights and protections under temporary protection. Moreover, persons granted asylum
How to apply for asylum?
Applicants can apply for asylum at a border crossing point. Registration will be done by the competent authorities, including the Border Police and the Main Immigration Inspectorate (see https://igi.mai.gov.ro/en/contact-en/ ). Regional centers can also assist with asylum and temporary accommodation applications in Bucharest, Timişoara, Galaţi, Radauta, Maramures and Giurgi within the Office of Asylum and Integration. The applicant will apply for asylum in writing or orally to the competent authorities, requesting asylum from the Romanian state.
Steps for submitting an asylum application :
1. The standard application form is available at:
https://igi.mai.gov.ro/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Cerere-de-azil.pdf .
You will undergo a preliminary interview aimed at collecting your personal data and that of your family members, the route you took from your country to Romania, data on possible asylum applications submitted in other third countries or in a member state of the European Union, and as well as any travel or identity documents you have.
2. After registering your request, the authorities will take your fingerprints (except for persons under 14 years of age) and take your photograph.
3. You must provide all documents in your possession that relate to your personal situation, including your passport. You will receive a temporary identity document for asylum seekers issued by the General Inspectorate of Immigration.
4. You may be interviewed further by the authority dealing with your request if they do not consider that a decision can be made solely on the basis of the evidence in the case.
5. Until the completion of the procedure, you have the right to remain in the territory of Romania and are protected from expulsion, extradition, forced return from the border or from the territory of the Romanian state. In addition, you cannot leave your place of residence without the permission of the competent authorities.
6. Decisions on granting refugee status or additional protection must be made within 30 days, but depending on the circumstances, as an exception, it may take up to 9 months.
7. If a decision is not taken in this administrative procedure for reasons beyond your control, after 3 months from the date of application, you will have the right to work in Romania under the same conditions as Romanian citizens.
8. After receiving international asylum (refugee status or subsidiary protection), you will have the right to work in Romania under the same conditions as Romanian citizens.
9. If your application is rejected, you can challenge it in court.
If the asylum seeker returns to Ukraine, he/she is considered to have voluntarily returned under the protection of the authorities of the country of origin, and from that moment the assistance provided by the Romanian state ceases.
Additional information can be found at:
- https://www.gov.ro/ro/ucraina-impreuna-ajutam-mai-mult#n ull
- https://igi.mai.gov.ro/the-submission-of-the-asylum-application/ _ _
- https://romania.iom.int/news/looking-information-about-entry-requirements-and-information-particular-country-neighboring-ukraine
If I have family members outside of Ukraine, can I apply for family reunification? If so, how?
Persons who have received temporary protection or refugee status may request family reunification for spouses and minor children who are not in the territory of Romania.
Applications must be submitted to the General Inspectorate for Immigration (see https://igi.mai.gov.ro/en/ukraine/ for details ).
To submit an application for reunification, a person receiving international asylum submits documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, identity card, etc.) or other evidence confirming family ties.
Romania: employment information
Do I need to apply for a work permit? If so, how do I do it?
You have a temporary protection employment permit; no application other than for temporary protection is required.
Note that the resolution introducing temporary protection refers to previous regulations adopted at the beginning of the war. The exact connection is unclear, but it is likely that Ukrainians, in addition to temporary protection, will be able to take advantage of softer rules regarding professional qualifications, and their stay on the territory of Romania may be extended beyond the time frame of temporary protection until the end of their contract with the employer. We will provide accurate information as soon as it is known.
Am I entitled to unemployment benefits? How and where can I apply?
Access to the Romanian unemployment insurance system is likely to be available through registration with a territorial unemployment agency (probably in your area of residence) – which is based on identity documents. It also allows those benefiting from temporary protection to have free access to the unemployment insurance system and employment promotion measures (eg vocational information and counselling, job matching, vocational training). Some procedural steps may be required if the person does not have education/professional qualification documents (for example – filling out a specific application – see here the application template in Romanian, the Ukrainian version can be found here ).
Additional information can be found here and here .
Are there programs for the recognition of diplomas and professional qualifications? How and where can I apply?
The Ministry of Education, through the National Center for Recognition and Equivalence of Diplomas, is responsible for the evaluation and recognition of educational documentation. Depending on your diploma/qualification, different procedures and documentation may apply for their official recognition in Romania. The official guide to the recognition of professional experience and qualifications acquired abroad can be found here . Detailed information on the statement regarding the recognition of higher education documents to facilitate access to the labor market in Romania can be found here (in English only).
However, the temporary protection rules do not appear to require (for employment purposes only) to follow the process of training/qualifications obtained abroad.
Which governmental and non-governmental bodies can I turn to for additional information on employment?
You can contact the following government bodies:
- National Unemployment Agency. Address : 20-22 Avalansei Street, 4 th District, Bucharest, Phone : 021 303.98.31, E-mail : anofm@anofm.gov.ro
- Bucharest Unemployment Agency. Address : 12 Spătaru Preda Street, 5 th District, Bucharest, Phone : 021 316.29.03, 021 316.55.08, 021 316.28.87, 021 316.92.50, E-mail : amomf.buc@anofm.gov. ro
- Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. Address : 2-4 Dem. I. Dobrescu Street, 1 st District, Bucharest
Phone : 021 313.62.67, E-mail : relatiicupublicul@mmuncii.gov.ro - Bucharest Territorial Labor Inspection. Address : 26-26A Radu Voda Street, 4 th District, Bucharest
Phone : 021 331.76.98, E-mail : itmbucure sti@itmbucuresti.ro - Bucharest Immigration Inspection. Address : 15 A Lt. Col. Marinescu C-tin Street, 5 th District, Bucharest
Phone : 021 410.99.40, E-mail : igi@mai.gov.ro
More contact details (in English) for the territorial offices of the General Inspectorate for Immigration can be found here .
- Ministry of Education Address : 28-30 General Berthelot Street, 1st District, Bucharest Phone : 021 405.62.00, 021 405.63.00 E-mail : registratura@edu.gov.ro
Romania: information about housing
Can I access public/government-provided housing?
Thus, public housing is administered by district emergency committees (Romanian: comitete judetene pentru situatii de urgenta). If you need support in finding temporary housing, you can access https://unacoperis.ro/
Нow and where to apply for public housing?
Migrants from Ukraine can apply for public housing to district emergency committees. Here are the links to the websites of the Suceava District Emergency Committee:
( https://sv.prefectura.mai.gov.ro/despre-noi/situatii-de-urgenta/ ) ,
the Maramures District Emergency Committee:
( https: //mm.prefectura.mai.gov.ro/alte-informatii/ ) and the Tulcea Emergency Committee ( https://tl.prefectura.mai.gov.ro/despre-noi/situatii-de-urgenta/ ), three districts where the majority of people leaving Ukraine enter Romania.
If I’m staying with friends or family long-term, what paperwork do I need to fill out to make it official? How can I get proof of residence?
A declaration from friends or family with whom you are staying should be sufficient to prove your place of residence.
Your landlord is obliged to inform the competent territorial police authority about it within 3 days from the date of settlement. Failure to comply with the duty to notify is considered a violation and is punishable by a fine of 100 to 500 lei.
The home owner can also register on the portal provided by the General Inspectorate for Immigration – https://portaligi.mai.gov.ro/inregistrarestraini/ .
In the case of accommodation in hotels or other tourist facilities, you register at the relevant institution, which must report the necessary data to the competent territorial police authorities within 24 hours.
If I want to rent a property privately, what documents do I need?
There are no documents required by law for private rental of real estate. To rent private housing, a written lease agreement must be concluded, so that the place of residence can be confirmed on this basis.
Which governmental and non-governmental bodies could I turn to for additional information on housing?
District emergency committees can be contacted for more information on housing.
Romania: information on education
How to enroll your children (or yourself) in school?
Children who arrived as a result of the armed conflict in Ukraine have the right to education, free accommodation in boarding schools and food, stationery, clothes, shoes and textbooks.
To enroll a child in primary or secondary education or in out-of-school education, the child’s parents/legal representative must apply to the Commission for Coordination of Activities regarding the referral of students to educational institutions where they can gain access to education. This Coordination Commission is created and operates at the level of the school inspectorate of each district and has the authority to decide where to place a child. The coordination committee notifies the parents/legal representative of the unit of pre-university education where the child is placed.
This procedure also applies to students over the age of 18 who did not obtain secondary education when leaving Ukraine.
If I have a child with special educational needs, where can I go for help getting them into a special school?
Children with disabilities, as well as children suffering from chronic diseases or diseases for which they are hospitalized for more than four weeks, have the right to study in special medical care departments. The Coordinating Commission mentioned above is the key contact to request placement in such institutions.
Do universities implement admission schemes for Ukrainians or people leaving Ukraine? If so, can you give examples?
So. The Ministry of Education has been authorized to approve additional places for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years for students registered in higher educational institutions of Ukraine.
Which governmental and non-governmental bodies can I turn to for additional information about education?
Commissions for the coordination of activities for the distribution of children of preschool and school age to educational institutions within the district school inspectorates are the main contact persons for obtaining information about education.
Romania: information on child care
How to enroll young children in kindergarten?
To enroll a child in a kindergarten, the child’s parents/legal representative (or the coordinator of the cooperative group for unaccompanied children, if the child is unaccompanied) must apply to the Commission for the Coordination of Activities for the Allocation of Pre-school and School-age Children to Educational Institutions where they can attend teaching. This Coordination Commission is created and operates at the level of each district school inspectorate. Here are the websites of the Bucharest School Inspectorate ( http://ismb.edu.ro/ ) and the three counties where most people leaving Ukraine end up in Romania: School Inspectorate of Suceava County ( https://isj.sv. edu.ro/ ), Maramures District School Inspectorate ( http://www.isjmm.ro/ ) and Tulcea District School Inspectorate ( https://isjtulcea.ro/ ).
Refugees from Ukraine who wish to settle in Romania can access all social assistance benefits provided for by Romanian law by applying to the General Directorates for Social Assistance and Child Protection. Therefore, if they meet the necessary requirements, they can receive state child benefit, social benefit and family support. For more information on how you can access these benefits, see the websites of the Departments for Social Care and Child Protection. Here are links to the Romanian General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection ( http://dgaspcromania.ro/ ), the General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection Suceava ( http://dgaspcsv.ro/), Maramures General Administration for Social Assistance and Child Protection ( https://dgaspcmm.ro/ ) and Tulcea General Administration for Social Assistance and Child Protection ( https://www.dgaspctl.ro/ ).
Are there any benefits for pregnant and lactating women?
Pregnant and lactating women can benefit from maternity and childcare benefits if they meet the same conditions as Romanian law for Romanian women.
What government and non-government agencies can I contact for more information about the specific needs of young children?
You can refer to the general social care and child protection guidelines for more information about the specific needs of young children. Here are links to the Romanian General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection ( http://dgaspcromania.ro/ ), the General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection of Suceava ( http://dgaspcsv.ro/ ), the Maramures General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection ( https://dgaspcmm.ro/ ) and the General Department of Social Assistance and Child Protection in Tulcea ( https://www.dgaspctl.ro/ ).
Romania: information on health care
Can I get public health care?
Displaced persons from Ukraine who apply for asylum in accordance with the legislation on the provision of asylum and who need medical services, sanitary materials, medicinal products and medical products, use the basic package of services, as well as medicinal products, sanitary materials, medical products and medical services included to national health programs, under the same conditions as Romanian citizens. They will not be required to pay a contribution to medical social insurance, a personal contribution for medicines provided during outpatient treatment, and are exempt from co-payments. Also, they do not need to present a certificate of referral (in Romanian bilet de sveindere).
Migrants from Ukraine who are not seeking asylum under asylum legislation but are entitled to temporary protection under the EU Directive have the right to primary medical care and appropriate treatment, emergency medical care in a hospital, as well as free medical care and treatment. in case of acute or chronic diseases that pose an immediate danger to their lives, through the national system of emergency medical care and qualified first aid. Also, if those who received temporary protection have special needs, they have the right to receive appropriate medical care.
Do I need to register to get health insurance, and if so, how?
Registration for receiving medical assistance is not required.
What does state medical assistance cover?
State medical care covers: (i) basic primary medical care services; (ii) specialized outpatient medical care; (iii) outpatient medical care in physical medicine and rehabilitation medicine; (iv) dental care; (v) outpatient medical care for paraclinical specialties; (vi) inpatient medical care; (vii) emergency home consultations and activities related to unassisted medical transport; (viii) home health care; (ix) palliative care at home; (x) medical assistance for recovery, physical medicine and rehabilitation; (xi) drugs with or without personal contribution in outpatient treatment; (xii) medical devices, technologies and assistive devices.
Do I need additional private health insurance in addition to public health insurance? If so, are there schemes for people on low incomes?
Additional private health insurance is not mandatory. In this regard, no specific schemes have been created for low-income earners.
Which governmental and non-governmental bodies can I turn to for more information about access to medical care?
Health insurance institutions organized at the level of each county, as well as the National Health Insurance House, are the main authorities to contact for more information on access to health care. Here are links to the National Health Insurance House: ( https://cnas.ro/ ) , Bucharest Health Insurance House ( http://cas.cnas.ro/casmb/ ), Suceava Health Insurance House ( http://www.casan .ro/cassv/ ), Maramures Health Insurance House ( http://www.casan.ro/casamm/ ) and Tulcea Health Insurance House ( http://www.casan.ro/castl/ ).
Romania: information on mental health
Can I get free mental health care through the NHS?
Mental health care is supported by public health care in a standard package for certain diseases in Romania, in addition to the medical care offered for the treatment of relevant diseases for insured patients. Please see above for access to healthcare.
We also note that public organizations (for example, Save the Children) have organized specialized teams to provide immediate mental health support to Ukrainian refugees (children and their families) free of charge at the borders.
Do I need to go through any additional administrative procedures to access mental health support?
No, there are no special administrative procedures.
What government and non-government agencies can I contact to get more information about services for people with mental health problems, especially trauma?
Resources can be found in publicly available information about relevant public organizations (examples): https://www.salvaticopiii.ro/ , www.autismvoice.ro or in the call center organized by Autism Voice Live at the number: 751274628 / 0723586284.
Romania : access to legal aid and information on the protection of human rights
If I have a legal question and need to hire a lawyer, can I get legal aid? How to find a lawyer?
Citizens of Ukraine may be exempted from paying customs duties and other procedural costs, and may also receive free legal aid under the same conditions and to the same extent as citizens of Romania.
In order to be exempt from court costs or free legal aid in civil law matters (and any other procedures, except criminal proceedings), it is necessary to submit an application regarding the personal, family and financial situation of the applicant.
In general, public legal aid is granted to persons who have a net monthly income below 600 RON (approximately 120 EUR) in the two months prior to the request. However, it may be granted in other situations in proportion to the needs of the applicant, if the costs of the proceedings are a limitation of access to justice, including due to the difference in the cost of living in Ukraine and Romania. Public legal aid is provided without taking into account the financial situation of the applicant, as a defense, in case of minors, disability, certain status and other similar situations. In this case, public legal aid can only be provided to protect or recognize certain rights or interests arising from or in connection with the applicant’s special situation.
An application for public legal aid must be submitted to a court that has jurisdiction over the case for which legal aid is requested. If the court approves the application for legal aid and decides to grant the applicant the right to free aid by appointing a lawyer, the application together with the court decision is sent directly by the court to the head of the bar where the court is located. The head of the bar appoints a lawyer from the Legal Aid Register and informs the applicant about the name of the appointed lawyer.
In addition to the above-mentioned standard legal aid procedure, special groups of lawyers have been established by some of the most important Bar Associations in Romania (e.g. Bucharest Bar and Cluj Bar), which can provide specific legal assistance to refugees from Ukraine regarding: (i) crossing the border with Romania; (ii) refugee/subsidiary protection status and asylum applications; (iii) rights and obligations of asylum seekers; (iv) rules applicable to minor asylum seekers; (v) other persons who may benefit from protection. In order to take advantage of such legal assistance, refugees from Ukraine must apply to the relevant advocacy.
The contact list of the Romanian bar associations can be found at https://www.unbr.ro/barouri-membre/ .
Is there an ombudsman in the country that deals with the observance of human rights? How to contact the Ombudsman?
Romanian Ombudsman
The Romanian Ombudsman ( avocatul Poporului ) is a state authority whose purpose is to protect the rights and freedoms of individuals in relations with state authorities.
The ombudsman performs his duties:
- ex officio (on own initiative)
- upon request:
- natural person
- companies
- associations
- other legal entities.
Ex officio actions – the Romanian ombudsman monitors the observance of the rights of Ukrainian refugees
The Romanian Ombudsman monitors the observance of the rights of Ukrainian refugees and has already conducted several investigations in this regard (https://avp.ro/index.php/en/2022/04/19/monitoring-the-observance-of-rights-of-the -refugees-from-ukraine/).
Filing a complaint
Complaints aimed at violation of the rights and freedoms of individuals through the actions of state authorities can be brought to the attention of the Ombudsman no later than one year from the moment of the violation or from the moment when the relevant person became aware of these facts.
Complaints must be made in writing and may be submitted in person or by proxy, to the registration office or to the territorial offices, or may be sent by post, e-mail or fax.
For justified reasons, a complaint may also be submitted verbally on the premises of the institution, or via dispatch/telephone.
Contacts:
- complaints sent by post or delivered in person can be submitted to the headquarters of the institution at the address of Bucharest, Giorgia Vraka Street, No. 8, Sector 1
- e-mail: petitii@avp.ro
- fax: + 4021 312 49 21
- call center
Phone: +4021/312.71.34
Monday and Wednesday: 10.00 – 14.00
Tuesday and Thursday: 12.00 – 16.00
Filing a complaint to the Ombudsman is free of charge.
How will the petition be decided?
When the Ombudsman finds that the victim’s complaint is well-founded, he will ask the state authority that violated the complainant’s rights to take the necessary measures to eliminate the detected illegal actions and compensate for the damages.
The Ombudsman will inform the person who made the complaint about the steps taken and how it was resolved.
Victims can contact the appropriate authorities, such as the police or the relevant authority:
National Agency for Combating Human Trafficking
Relevant information is also available in Ukrainian https://anitp.mai.gov.ro/ucraina/
Phone: 021-303 70 80 / int 15470, Fax: 021-319 01 83, E-mail: presa.anitp@mai.gov.ro
In the event of an emergency, the following contact details are available:
– Single emergency number: 112
– The only number in connection with children’s problems: 119
– Border Police: 00 40 21 95 90
– General Inspection of Migration: 00 40 21 41 07 51 3
– National Agency for Combating Human Trafficking: 0800 800 678 / + 4 021 311 3100 (languages: Romanian and English).
Relevant non-governmental organizations working on this issue, for example Centrul FILIA https://centrulfilia.ro/
Romania: bank account and tax information
What documents are required to open a bank account?
For adult natural persons (over 18 years old), a current (checking) bank account can be opened currently in most major banks in Romania on the basis of a valid document certifying the identity of the client, containing a personal photo of its legal owner – internal ID card, passport (biometric passports best meet KYC requirements), a foreign identity card issued by the country of residence certifying the holder’s place of residence (for non-resident Romanian citizens). The requirements may differ between banks as to what information the document must contain, most of them require that the document contains a permanent address ( domicilia ) in Romania.
For individuals under the age of 18 (minors), a bank account can be opened by their legal representative (parent or guardian) based on the minor’s identity card (birth certificate and other photo ID (if any)) and the representative’s own ID.
Adult foreign nationals can open current bank accounts based on a valid identity document (accompanied by a Romanian legalized translation) identifying its address in their current jurisdiction of residence. If the passports do not contain this data, it will be necessary to obtain another identity card with the identification of such information.
For foreign nationals, a Romanian legalized translation is required for IDs other than Latin (eg Cyrillic, Greek, Georgian, etc.).
Together with the relevant identity card from the country of residence (passport or internal identity card for EU citizens, or passport with entry visa and residence permit in Romania, together with identity card from the country of origin for non-EU citizens) foreign citizens are obliged to provide the following:
- Certificate of registration in Romania for EU/SE/Swiss citizens if they reside in Romania for a period of more than 3 months or residence card if they reside for a period of more than 5 years
- Residence permit for those foreign citizens who have been granted residence rights in Romania
- information specified in segments a) – f) below
Citizens of Ukraine who are hiding in Romania can open bank accounts in Romania in local banks on the basis of a passport with a valid entry visa and another identity document (identifying their address). Within 90 days, they must provide proof of a valid entry permit or other identity document certifying that they are allowed to reside legally in Romania.
In addition to their personal identification documents, applicants for a current account are most likely required to fill out a number of contractual documents at the respective bank :
a) Application
b) KYC form
c) A copy of the agent’s certificate and a notarized power of attorney (if the account opening is required by the agent); if the power of attorney is prepared in a foreign language, it must be notarized and apostilled, as well as accompanied by a Romanian certified translation
d) Actual beneficiary statement, if the account holder is different from the actual beneficiary
e) Tax residency and Romanian tax certificates for non-resident citizens of Romania; f) US W9/W8-BEN (FATCA)
When do I become a taxpayer in the country and how do I pay them?
There are two aspects to consider when assessing what taxes are payable in Romania and when such taxes are due, as follows:
Romanian income , for example, from wages received for activities carried out at the local level, on the basis of individual employment contracts concluded with Romanian business entities, is subject to Romanian taxation from the very beginning, and the employer has the obligation to accrue, withhold, declare and pay tax to the state budget. For other types of income (for example, income from freelancing, objects of intellectual property, etc.), the individual who receives such income may have the obligation to register for tax purposes and pay tax to the state budget. Thus, an individual analysis is necessary.
Romanian income may also be subject to mandatory social security contributions, but this should be checked on a case-by-case basis as exceptions and special rules may apply.
Income from foreign sources is taxed in Romania only after a Ukrainian natural person becomes a tax resident of Romania. According to the double taxation agreement concluded between Romania and Ukraine, a Ukrainian individual becomes a tax resident of Romania if he spends more than 183 days in Romania during any period of 12 consecutive months. The assessment of whether a change of tax residency occurs is carried out by the Romanian tax authorities.
Romania: other services
Where can I get help for an unaccompanied minor?
Unaccompanied children are cared for by social workers at the border crossing point and taken to the location of the General Directorate of Protection and Assistance for Children or to professional foster families in the area, where they receive basic services, including psychological counseling, if necessary.
How and where can I apply for disability benefits?
A person with a disability can, upon request, use the same social protection services provided by law for Romanian citizens: sheltered housing, independent living training centers, health and rehabilitation centers, care and assistance centers, recreation centers/crisis centers. Social services can be provided even in the absence of identity documents.
An application for the provision of social services is registered in the district offices of social assistance and child protection (the list is available at:
The request for the provision of social services is considered by the relevant department within 24 hours from the moment of registration. After issuing an admission order, the relevant directorate ensures the transfer of an adult with a disability and his companion, as well as a person who provides communication, to a designated residential-type social service.
If you need any resources, food, products, clothing, transport or contact with volunteers, you can access: https://sprijindeurgenta.ro/ (information is provided in Ukrainian, Russian, English and Romanian languages).
List 3-4 non-governmental organizations that conduct language courses and organize other integration programs for Ukrainians?
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Romania offers free Romanian language courses for citizens of Ukraine. Classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., in person, at their headquarters on St. Viitorului Nr. 11, Sector 2, Bucharest (as a landmark – Galati Square).
The courses are addressed to both adults and children, and registration is carried out on the basis of a temporary protection document.
The Romanian language courses are only one component of the integration program offered by IOM, and those who study will also receive other assistance such as psychological counseling, cultural and social activities, and medical services.
Courses for children take place in the same time frame as for adults, but at the headquarters of the Schottener Foundation, at Viitorului street No. 64, sector 2 (right next to the National College “Kantemir Voda”).
Depending on the request, IOM will open other groups, including an exclusively online group, for people who do not live in Bucharest.
Contacts
IOM Romania
Viitorului Street 11,
Bucharest 020602
Romania
Phone: +40 21 – 210.30.50
Fax: +40 21 – 211.44.54
Email: iombucarest@iom.int
It works from Monday to Friday: 9 – 17.30
Medical department: +40 21 – 212.02.59
For medical appointments, please call Monday through Thursday between 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Mondly , a language learning platform (available at https://www.mondly.com/app ), makes its courses available for free to all Ukrainians moving in European countries.
Mondly focuses on practical topics and real conversations. The app teaches everything from basic conversations to business content for personal improvement and training for work purposes.
The Eucom Language Center ( https://www.eucom.ro/eucom-ofera-cursuri-gratuite-de-limba-romana-si-engleza-pentru-refugiatii-ucraineni/ ) offers free Romanian and English language courses for Ukrainian refugees in Romania. Thus, they will be able to integrate more easily in the places where they had to move. The courses will be held online, under the guidance of trainer Ina Dobre, of Ukrainian origin.
The Grammar school (in Romanian: Scoala de gramatica ) offers free online Romanian language courses for Ukrainian refugees ( https://www.educatieprivata.ro/scoala-de-gramatica-ofera-cursuri-gratuite-de-limba-romana-pentru -refugiatii-ucraineni/ ).
