Author
Beneficiaries of international protection who for objective reasons lack the necessary means of subsistence have the right to receive, upon request and within the limits of the state’s financial resources, a monthly non-reimbursable aid (“aid”) for a maximum period of 12 months.[1] The amount of aid is related to the reference social indicator under the terms and conditions established by Government Decision.[2] More exactly the amount of the financial aid is 1.08 ISR[3] and equals 714 RON/ ~ €143, marking a significant increase compared to 2023.
In 2023, some beneficiaries of international protection reported to JRS Romania that they felt discriminated against in comparison to persons benefiting from temporary protection, as the material assistance provided by the state to the latter was significantly higher. In 2024, this perception slightly diminished, as international funding for Ukrainian refugees decreased and JRS Romania’s assistance approach remained consistent for all categories. It is important to underline that these differences stemmed from the disparity in available funding and project opportunities, and not from JRS Romania’s internal policy or practices.[4] In 2025, according to JRS Romania, such perceptions were no longer reported. This development reflects the further reduction and restructuring of assistance available to persons benefiting from temporary protection.[5] It was also reported that IGI gives much more consistent material support to asylum applicants than the Romanian state allocates through National Agency for Payments and Social Inspection (AJPIS) within the framework of non-reimbursable aid.[6]
The Integration Ordinance states that to ensure effective access to social rights, the competent authorities take into account the specific situation of the beneficiaries of international protection.[7] New provisions were added by the amendments, stipulating that at IGI’s request, local support teams may be set up to integrate beneficiaries of international protection and other foreigners who have a right of residence in Romania, as well as citizens of the Member States of the European Union, the European Economic Area and citizens of the Swiss Confederation. The local support teams are composed of IGI-DAI, local public administration authorities, public institutions and NGO representatives.[8] No further rules have been published, prescribing how these support teams are established, how they operate and what their responsibilities are.[9]
The timeline for the submission of the application for inclusion in the integration program is 3 months from the date the international protection was granted, by the amended Integration Ordinance.[10] Another legal provision introduced by the amendment prescribes that NGO representatives may participate at the interview conducted by the integration officer of IGI-DAI with the beneficiary of international protection.[11] The interview is scheduled within 10 working days.[12] The scope of the interview is to establish the type of assistance or activities necessary for the social integration of the applicant.[13] Based on this assessment, an individual integration plan is developed jointly with the beneficiary, which includes the identification of relevant activities tailored to their needs and available resources, as well as the establishment of timelines for achieving the set objectives. [14] In 2025, 1,019 people participated in the integration program.[15]
The duration of integration programs for beneficiaries of international protection is 12 months, which may be extended with 6 months.[16]
In September 2025, the Government adopted a decision[17] aimed at providing better support for the integration of victims of domestic violence and human trafficking into the labour market. The main regulations include: free access to vocational training programs for job-seekers who are in situations of domestic violence or human trafficking; granting a subsidy of 2,250 lei/month (440 Euros) to employers who employ such persons, if they are registered as unemployed; clearly establishing the documentation and deadlines required to access employment stimulation measures, as well as establishing exceptional mechanisms for justified situations; obligation of confidentiality for employers regarding the victim status of employed persons; verification of the veracity of information regarding protection orders and victim status, through collaboration with the competent authorities; maintaining financial support granted to employers, including in the event that the protection measures ordered by protection order cease.
Conditions for aid
The non-refundable financial aid is granted for an initial period of 6 months, with the possibility of extending it to 12 months. In order to receive non-refundable aid, beneficiaries of international protection must be enrolled in the integration program.[18] However, some groups, referred to as “special cases”, are exempt from the obligation to be enrolled in the program. The special cases are:[19]
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- Unaccompanied children;
- Persons with disabilities;
- Persons who have reached retirement age and do not benefit from retirement;
- Pregnant women;
- Single-parent families with juvenile children;
- Victims of human trafficking;
- Victims of torture, rape or other serious forms of psychological or sexual violence.
The provision of aid is subject to the actual residence of the beneficiary, which is mentioned on the Residence Permit. The beneficiary of international protection is included in the integration program coordinated by the IGI-DAI office territorially competent for the area where they reside.[20]
In case a beneficiary would like to change their place of residence, they have to communicate this intention to IGI-DAI where they started the integration program and has the obligation, within 15 days from the date of moving to the new address, to present themselves to the IGI-DAI office territorially competent for the area in which they now reside or, as the case may be, to the relevant territorial entity of the Aliens Authority, to register themselves and to make the necessary changes to the identity document.[21]
UNHCR reported ongoing problems in the application of non-reimbursable financial aid for beneficiaries of international protection, with practices varying depending on the region. At least one meeting was facilitated by UNHCR, at the initiative of CNRR, involving the National Agency for Payments and Social Inspection (ANPIS), the Ministry of Labour and IGI. Discussions focused on: the assessment of “standard of living” criteria; legal and procedural gaps; retroactive cancellation of aid payments; unequal application of the law across regions.[22]
Application procedure for aid
The authority responsible for granting non-refundable aid is the County Agency for Payments and Social Inspection (Agenția Județeană pentru Plăți și Inspecție Socială, AJPIS). The funds necessary for granting aid are provided from the budget of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection through the Agency for Payments and Social Inspection of the County.[23]
The application for non-refundable aid is drafted individually by each beneficiary of international protection who fulfils the conditions set out in the law or by their legal representative or guardian, according to a template established by IGI.[24]This requirement raises issues in practice for unaccompanied children in Bucharest. An unaccompanied child beneficiary of international protection may not access non-refundable financial aid due to the fact that he was not appointed a legal representative by DGASPC, since the legal representative only assists unaccompanied asylum-seeking children during the asylum procedure and not after they are granted a form of protection.
In 2021 OIM stated children have access to financial aid represented by the monthly allowance for children by the state only when they are 18. Until then, the money is collected in an account on behalf of the beneficiary. Upon leaving the centre, the child will live in a DGASPC centre, and the director of the centre becomes the legal representative of the child.[25]
In practice, the application is made within 3 months of the date of granting international protection, with an NGO’s assistance. IGI-DAI forwards the file of the beneficiary to the AJPIS for review. The application must be accompanied by the decision granting international protection, the temporary residence permit, as well as a certificate attesting the registration in the integration program issued by the territorially competent IGI-DAI office.[26]
In order to establish the right to aid, the AJPIS makes a social investigation within 10 days from the receipt of the application to confirm that the applicant lacks the necessary means of subsistence.[27] The Executive Director of the AJPIS approves granting the financial aid, starting with the following month in which the application was registered with the territorial agency, on the basis of the documents submitted by IGI-DAI.[28] Until the first month of payment of the aid, beneficiaries who have no means of subsistence shall receive from IGI-DAI material aid equal to the amount granted to asylum applicants, within the limits of available funds, but for no more than three months.[29]
IGI-DAI reviews the situation of each beneficiary of aid, twice a year, depending on the active participation of the person in the activities stipulated in the individual integration plan and submits to the competent AJPIS proposals for extending the period of granting, suspending or terminating the payment of aid.[30]
According to JRS Romania no problems were reported in to obtain financial aid were reported in Şomcuta Mare, Galaţi, Rădăuţi, Bucharest, and the situation remain unchanged in 2025[31]
According to JRS Romania’s representatives in Galați, in 2024 and 2025 the main obstacle beneficiaries faced in accessing social assistance was the length of time it takes to actually receive the aid. One relevant example is the financial support linked to children’s access to state education. Although the entitlement is calculated from the date the application is submitted—provided all required documents are in order—the actual transfer of funds can take approximately 2 to 2.5 months. This delay affects the child’s family or legal representative, who must manage expenses related to school attendance (such as supplies, clothing, or transportation) without having immediate access to the financial aid meant to support these needs. While the entitlement is not lost, the lag in implementation undermines its effectiveness, especially for vulnerable families who cannot bridge the gap from their own resources.[32]
According to CNRR, in 2024 beneficiaries of international protection often had limited awareness of their socio-economic rights and the relevant institutions responsible for implementing them. While they received some information through the integration program provided by the General Inspectorate for Immigration or NGOs, they were generally unaware of additional incentives and financial aid available outside this program, as well as the procedures required to access them. In some instances, insufficient knowledge among social assistance staff leads to misunderstandings and delays in granting support, creating additional barriers for refugees seeking essential services. Strengthening institutional awareness and capacity in this regard would contribute to a more efficient and equitable process.[33] Despite these challenges, those who manage to apply for socio-economic rights are often successful in obtaining them. However, the absence of interpreters within institutions necessitates reliance on NGO support to provide adequate counselling and assistance to refugees.[34] Furthermore, a recurring practical issue is the limited availability of funds for certain types of financial aid, which are accessible to both refugees and Romanian citizens. Due to high demand, these funds are often depleted rapidly, restricting access to necessary support.[35]
Beneficiaries of international protection who participate in the integration program, who do not meet the conditions for receiving non-refundable financial aid and who have no means of subsistence, are supported in order to fulfil the legal conditions for obtaining the minimum inclusion income.[36]
Beneficiaries of international protection also have the right to benefit from social insurance, social assistance measures and social health insurance, under the conditions provided by the law for Romanian citizens.[37]
According to CNRR, beneficiaries of international protection continued to face significant obstacles in accessing social welfare and socio-economic rights in 2025, largely reflecting challenges already identified in 2024.
In 2025, CNRR reported that individuals seeking to access social services and benefits continue to face obstacles such as bureaucratic barriers, gaps in national legislation, language barriers, lack of interpreters within public institutions, and insufficient awareness of their rights. Beneficiaries of international protection are entitled, during the first 12 months following the granting of status, to a monthly allowance of approximately EUR 150 if they are considered “deprived of the necessary means of subsistence”. However, CNRR highlighted that the law does not define clear criteria for assessing this condition, leading to case-by-case interpretation and uneven practice. In some instances, authorities interpret this condition restrictively, requiring applicants to have no income in order to qualify, although the law does not explicitly exclude persons with insufficient income.[38]
CNRR further noted that beneficiaries often encounter difficulties in complying with administrative procedures and deadlines, particularly when applying for or extending financial support, as they are not yet familiar with institutional processes or the way official communications are handled. This may result in the loss of financial aid, including for vulnerable individuals or families with children. [39]
Regarding access to other social benefits to which beneficiaries are entitled under the same conditions as Romanian citizens, CNRR reported that obstacles remain, including requests for documents from the country of origin to prove the absence of income or pensions, which are often difficult or impossible to obtain.[40]
In addition, holders of international protection who apply for the lump sum have been in the country most often for a short time, and are not yet familiar with the importance of complying with legal deadlines and understanding the way in which public institutions send official documents when navigating the procedure of social investigation or requesting to extend the lump sum for the last 6 months. As a result, families with many children or vulnerable individuals often end up losing their right to financial aid due to such misunderstandings.[41]
In addition, CNRR highlighted significant challenges related to housing. Social housing is limited, with waiting times ranging from 5 to 15 years. Beneficiaries returned to Romania under the Dublin procedure may face homelessness, as they are not accommodated in the reception centres and may not meet the conditions required for access to emergency shelters provided by local authorities. In some reported cases, families with children were left without shelter. Night shelters represent the only available option in practice, but they cannot accommodate families together and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. In certain cases, access has been denied on the basis that applicants are foreigners. As a result, CNRR reported that support is sometimes sought through informal solutions, such as temporary accommodation in religious institutions or employment providing housing. [42]
In 2025, beneficiaries of international protection continued to receive social assistance primarily through local authorities, with a significant role played by municipal and sector-level social services. According to the General Directorate of Social Assistance of the Municipality of Bucharest (DGASMB), a total of 79 beneficiaries of international protection were supported during the year, receiving a wide range of services including social counselling, financial and material assistance, and support in accessing healthcare, education, and housing. Access to healthcare was facilitated through practical support measures such as scheduling medical appointments, hospital admissions, and registration with family doctors within the public health insurance system, including through the CASMB platform. DGASMB also cooperated with medical institutions in Bucharest to ensure access to treatment and investigations for both adults and children.[43]
DGASMB also supported access to education for children, including enrolment in pre-university education institutions, as well as participation in day centres providing supervision, educational and recreational activities, psychological counselling and support for the development of independent living skills. In addition, beneficiaries received support for integration, including participation in integration programmes,[44] Romanian language learning and assistance in identifying housing solutions on the private market. DGASMB cooperated with several institutions and organisations, including IGI, IOM, JRS Romania and CNRR, in order to facilitate access to services and support integration. DGASMB reported that no obstacles were identified in relation to access to the services provided, and beneficiaries were supported throughout the process to ensure effective access to available assistance.[45]
At the same time, the system continued to address the needs of vulnerable groups. According to DGASMB, persons accommodated in 2025 included children (328, including unaccompanied or separated minors), persons with disabilities (19), individuals with medical or psychosocial needs (51), and victims of violence or trauma (9).[46] According to DGASMB, in 2025 no obstacles were identified in accessing social assistance services, and beneficiaries were supported throughout the process of accessing these services.[47]
However, information from other local authorities indicates that challenges persist. According to DGASPC Sector 2, the main difficulties in accessing social assistance services included language and cultural barriers, incomplete documentation, and pressure on administrative capacity due to the high number of cases. DGASPC Sector 2 also provided targeted support measures, including financial assistance for the prevention of child abandonment (for up to 48 months), social vouchers for food and medicines granted quarterly, and financial allowances for persons with disabilities.[48]
According to DGASPC Galați, no changes were recorded in 2025 compared to 2024 regarding the capacity of centres, procedures for taking over minors, the role of legal representatives, or cooperation with IGI. The main challenges identified concern insufficient accommodation capacity, lack of specialised staff, and the absence of interpretation services for unaccompanied foreign minors.[49]
In 2025, according to the Romanian Red Cross, certain activities were also carried out at national level for beneficiaries of international protection and other categories of migrants, notably through the provision of Restoring Family Links services. In addition, the organisation reported that it identified general needs among assisted persons, ranging from food to accommodation, without specific differences compared to needs assessments conducted by other institutions. The Romanian Red Cross further indicated that cooperation with public authorities took place, although such cooperation was not formalised through a cooperation protocol.[50]
[1] Article 20(1)(m) Asylum Act.
[2] ibid.
[3] ibid. Article 20 (5^1).
[4] Practice based observation by JRS Romania, January 2025.
[5] Observed by JRS Romania in 2025.
[6] Practice based observation by JRS Romania, in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
[7] Article 14^1(1) Integration Ordinance.
[8] ibid., Article 14^1(2).
[9] ibid. Article 14^1(3).
[10] ibid. Article 16.
[11] ibid. Article 17(1) (2).
[13] ibid. Article 17(1) (2).
[15] IGI, PESTE 1.000 DE PERSOANE, SPRIJINITE ÎN PROCESUL DE INTEGRARE ÎN ANUL 2025, February 2026, available here.
[16] ibid. Article 20.
[17] Government Decision No. 711/2025 amending and supplementing certain normative acts in the field of employment, Official Gazette no. 823 of 5 September 2025, available (RO) here.
[18] Article 60(1) Asylum Decree.
[19] Article 33(2) Integration Ordinance.
[20] Article 60(1) Asylum Decree.
[21] ibid. Article 52(2).
[22] Information provided by UNHCR, 13 March 2026.
[23] Article 20(5) Asylum Act.
[24] Article 60(2) Asylum Decree.
[25] Information provided by IOM Romania, 19 February 2022.
[26] Article 60(2) -(3) Asylum Decree.
[27] ibid. Article 60(5).
[28] ibid. Article 60(4).
[29] Article 22(3) Integration Ordinance.
[30] Article 60(6) Asylum Decree.
[31] Information provided by JRS Romania in February 2025.
[32] ibid.
[33] Information provided by CNRR in February 2025.
[34] ibid.
[35] ibid.
[36] Article 22(1) Integration Ordinance.
[37] Article 20(1)(g) Asylum Act.
[38] Information provided by CNRR, 03 February 2026.
[39] ibid.
[40] ibid.
[41] ibid.
[42] ibid.
[43] Information provided by DGASMB, 16 February 2026.
[44] ibid. including the Iuliu Maniu Day Centre for Counselling and Support for Parents and Children, the Maria Day Centre, the Pipera Support Centre for Women and Children and the PrimoHUB Ominis Centre. These centres offered supervision, care, recreational and educational activities, psychological counselling and activities supporting independent living skills. DGASMB specialists also facilitated the enrolment of minors in pre-university education institutions.
[45] ibid.
[46] ibid. The category “persons with medical or psychosocial problems” includes 19 patients accommodated at the Femina Centre and 32 patients hosted at the Bucharest asylum centre following medical evacuations.
[47] Information provided by DGASMB, 16 February 2026.
[48] Information provided by DGASPC Sector 2, 13 February 2026. Child allowance: 292 RON for children aged 2-18, and 719 RON for children up to the age of 2, or 3 in case of a disabled child. In addition, community support in kind was provided through social vouchers amounting to RON 500 for food and RON 500 for medicines, granted on a quarterly basis
[49] Information provided by DGASPC Galați, 23 February 2026.
[50] Information provided by Red Cross, 16 February 2026.