Ukrainians in Romania: rules for entry and legal residence. What do you need to know?

Romania has hosted thousands of Ukrainian citizens since the beginning of the war, and the country's doors are still open to refugees from Ukraine. However, two years later, the rules for Ukrainians in Romania have changed slightly. Find out all the latest information on how to apply for temporary protection and enjoy other benefits

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside of Ukraine

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Romania is a country that has been accepting refugees from Ukraine since the first days of the full-scale invasion. The country has approved a number of refugee support programmes and introduced social assistance. Below, we have compiled information on the rules for moving to Romania and how to apply for protection.

Entry rules

You can enter Romania from Ukraine through the border crossing points of Halmeu, Sighetu Marmatiei, Siret, Isaccea, and through the border crossing points between Moldova and Romania. You can follow the situation at the border crossing points in real time at this link.

Recently, Ukrainians have also been able to use the direct rail connection between Kyiv and Bucharest.

If you are travelling to Romania in your own car, you will need to purchase a Green Card for travelling abroad.

Ukrainian citizens can enter Romania by presenting a biometric or regular passport. Children must have an identity document or birth certificate. If a child is travelling with one parent, the other parent's permission is not required to cross the border. Ukrainian men aged 18 to 60 can enter Romania only if they belong to the categories of persons who have the right to leave Ukraine.

Do I need medical insurance to enter Romania?

Yes! You will need a medical insurance policy to enter this country. If you do not have insurance, Romanian border guards will not allow you to enter the country. In this case, you will have to take out insurance on the spot, wasting time and money.

In addition to having insurance upon entry, you will need a policy to use medical services within the country.

Take out insurance for entry into Romania and other EU countries right now on Visit Ukraine.

Where to apply for protection?

Ukrainians who have arrived in Romania are entitled to apply for three types of protection:

Temporary protection is a pan-European programme available until March 2025. Ukrainians who lived in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 are eligible to apply. After applying for protection, you will receive a residence permit in Romania, access to the labour market, free medical care, the right to education for children, social support, and the opportunity to receive financial assistance if you do not have the necessary funds to live. To apply for this status, you should contact the General Inspectorate for Immigration or the authorities located in temporary accommodation and humanitarian aid camps.

Short-term arrival is registered on the basis of a Ukrainian citizen's foreign passport when crossing the border. All Ukrainians are eligible for registration, with the exception of men between the ages of 18 and 60 who are subject to military service. Short-term stays are granted for up to 90 days within a 180-day period if the person does not obtain a residence permit or temporary protection. In temporary accommodation camps, people can receive humanitarian aid – food, clothing and hygiene products. This status also allows them to receive medical care and provides access to work, education and assistance in finding accommodation.

Asylum seeker – this status is granted to extend the right to short-term stay. You can apply directly at the border or later, but before your visa expires. When applying, you must fill out an application form and submit all available documents to the General Inspectorate for Immigration. The application processing time is one to two months.

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Finding accommodation

Ukrainians can live in one of six regional accommodation centres for asylum seekers, which are managed by the General Inspectorate for Immigration.

Romanians also help Ukrainians and take refugees into their homes. A special platform, Un Acoperiș (Roof), has been created to help people find accommodation. It lists legal entities and individuals who can provide rooms and houses for people living in shelters provided by the Romanian authorities.

You can find accommodation yourself on the websites ukrainenow.org and icanhelp.host. The average cost of renting a one-room apartment in Romania is from 6,000 hryvnia, and a three-room apartment is from 10,000 hryvnia. Utilities cost about 3,000 hryvnia. In Bucharest, rental prices are significantly higher.

Financial assistance

Romania has introduced a financial support programme for Ukrainians. Recipients are paid 750 lei (about 150 euros) per month per person and 2,000 lei (402 euros) per month per family.

An additional 600 lei (120 euros) per person was provided for food. This assistance was provided for 4 months. To receive assistance after that, adults had to be registered as unemployed or have a job, and children had to be enrolled in school.

More detailed information is available on the website for assistance to Ukrainians in Romania.

Where to find a job?

You can look for a job in Romania through the National Employment Agency. To do this, you need to register with your local office.

The job search platform Jobs4Ukraine also helps Ukrainians restore their financial stability. In addition, you can view employment options here.

It should be noted that after Romania joined the Schengen area, Ukrainians who go to work in this country will have their days of stay counted under the visa-free entry conditions. Until now, Ukrainians could visit the country under the visa-free regime with the EU, but the days of stay were not counted under the 90/180 rule. Now, Ukrainian citizens can stay in Romania for more than 90 days only if they apply for temporary protection or obtain a residence permit.

Education

Children who have arrived in Romania with their parents are entitled to free education – to attend pre-school and school. Students can also apply to continue their studies in Romania.

It should be noted that there are quite a few Ukrainian schools in Romania.

For more detailed information about education in Romania and admission rules, follow the link. You can also sign up for free Romanian language courses in Romania.

Reminder! Foreigners living in Romania face a lot of bureaucratic procedures, and one of the main ones is obtaining a CNP — a personal code without which it is impossible to officially work, receive medical care or open a bank account. Find out how to obtain a CNP in Romania, where it is indicated and why you cannot do without it.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

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