Will Ukrainians in Romania have their years of temporary protection counted toward permanent residence and citizenship: a refugee initiative

Ukrainians in Romania are asking for their years of temporary protection to be counted toward permanent residence and citizenship. Find out what the petition is about, what arguments its authors are making, and what the chances are for changes in Romanian legislation

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More than three years after the start of the full-scale war, many Ukrainians who found refuge in Romania want not only to stay, but also to obtain full legal status in this European country. Working, paying taxes, and integrating into society, they ask a logical question: why are the years of temporary protection they have already spent in Romania not counted toward permanent residence (PR) and naturalization? What is the petition about and what are its chances of being approved? We discuss this further in the article with a link to RFI.

What Ukrainians in Romania are asking for: the essence of the petition

Ukrainian lawyer Iryna Arapova, who currently lives in Bucharest, has prepared a collective appeal to the Romanian authorities. It calls for changes to the law so that time spent under temporary protection is considered full legal residence for the purposes of obtaining permanent residence and Romanian citizenship.

This appeal was in response to the European Commission's decision to extend temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 4, 2027. This means that some people will spend five years in this status, which is sufficient for legalization in the EU. However, Romanian legislation does not yet take this period into account in the total length of residence required to change status. Meanwhile, classic “refugee” status entitles a person to legalize their stay after five years.

“What if a person wanted to be a refugee but had no choice?” Arapova emphasises in a comment to RFI, noting that temporary protection was activated to avoid bureaucratic complications and not to have to process the same refugee status for everyone.

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What changes are proposed in the petition?

The petition proposes amendments to the following legal acts:

1. Emergency Ordinance No. 194/2002 on the regime of foreigners in Romania — to include the period of temporary protection in the period entitling to permanent residence.

2. Law No. 21/1991 on Romanian citizenship — to include this period in the time required for naturalization.

The authors of the petition emphasize that Ukrainians who have lived in Romania for more than three years not only do not create problems for the state, but also actively contribute to its development — they open businesses, study, work legally, pay taxes, and integrate into communities.

“Recognition of these years is a matter of justice, administrative consistency, and national interest,” reads the petition, which has already been signed by 2,595 people.

Why does this initiative by Ukrainians in Romania have a chance?

Iryna Arapova already has positive experience with petitions in Romania. In 2023, she initiated an appeal when Romanian banks began to block the accounts of Ukrainians en masse after they received payments under state programs. Then, after 600 signatures, amendments were made to the forms — now the temporary protection document includes the official address of residence in Romania. This has enabled Ukrainians to receive social benefits, open bank accounts, and access services that were previously unavailable.

The new petition has already been supported by representatives of Caritas and the UNHCR, which indicates international attention to the problem.

When can we expect a response to the petition?

They plan to approach Romanian authorities with an official package of signatures and justification at the end of summer 2025. As the country has just appointed a new prime minister, the government is in the process of formation, and there is hope that the issue of legalizing Ukrainians will become part of the new agenda.

“The issue of Ukrainian migrants is a very important topic for them. And they themselves would be happy if someone offered a solution, I think they would agree,” says the lawyer.

If you do not know how to proceed in your situation and are looking for alternative ways to legalize your status in the EU, such as obtaining a residence permit through employment, study, or family reunification, contact the migration specialists at Visit Ukraine. Our lawyers will help you assess your chances, prepare documents, and accompany you through the legalization process in Romania or other EU countries.

We remind you! Romania attracts migrants with its relatively moderate prices and picturesque landscapes. This country is one of the most comfortable places to live. Read more about food prices, utilities, and apartment rentals in Romania in our previous article.

Photo: Sviat Vietrov / RFI

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