Author
In 2025, Romania continued preparatory efforts for the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, following its adoption at EU level in 2024. The process has involved institutional coordination, initial legislative steps, and operational preparations, although limited public information has been made available regarding the overall implementation framework.
An inter-institutional coordination mechanism for the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum has been established through the Commission for Migration Management (CIM), operating under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Commission was created by Government Decision to coordinate the implementation of periodic strategic documents in the field of immigration within an inter-institutional cooperation framework. It represents the main mechanism for ensuring the effective implementation of immigration strategies, policies, and legislation, including monitoring the application of EU and international practices in this field.[1]
The Commission is composed of representatives from key national authorities (such as the General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI), the Border Police, the Police, and the Gendarmerie) as well as relevant departments from other ministries and public authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, institutions subordinated to the Government of Romania, and the Ministry of National Defence. The Commission is coordinated by a State Secretary within the Ministry of Internal Affairs responsible for public order and safety.[2]
In July 2024, a Working Subgroup dedicated to facilitating the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum was established within the Commission. The subgroup coordinates technical, legislative, financial, and logistical measures required for the implementation of the Pact and monitors progress in fulfilling these measures. It is coordinated by a State Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs responsible for international relations and European affairs, while the secretariat is ensured by the Technical Secretariat of the Commission, composed of experts from the General Inspectorate for Immigration (Planning and Missions Service). The subgroup includes decision-making representatives and alternates from MAI structures involved in implementing the Pact, as well as technical experts responsible for specific implementation areas, including experts from IGI.[3]
During 2025, IGI carried out preparatory activities related to the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, particularly in cooperation with the EU Agency for Asylum (EUAA) in the area of training staff working in asylum and reception, as further detailed below. In addition, institutional meetings were held both among structures within the Ministry of Internal Affairs and with other ministries. [4]
The implications of the Pact on Migration and Asylum for the asylum procedure (including administrative, accelerated, and border procedures) as well as for operational capacity (staff, reception centres, and infrastructure) were analysed within the framework of a National Implementation Plan for the Pact on Migration and Asylum. Several analyses were conducted across different areas of activity; however, these assessments are internal and have been taken into account in the process of drafting the legislation necessary for the implementation of the Pact. [5]
In 2025, IGI also cooperated with EUAA in preparing for the implementation of the Pact, particularly through training activities. IGI staff participated in EUAA modules included in the European Asylum Curriculum (EAC), organized training sessions based on online modules and conducted national training sessions. These activities will continue in 2026, including the organization of tailor-made training modules dedicated to the implementation of the new Pact on Migration and Asylum.[6]
According to IGI, no major challenges have been identified so far in relation to the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum. [7]
However, NGOs reported that during the first half of the year, no official information was provided by the authorities regarding the national implementation plan of the Pact. There were informal indications that a draft plan had been submitted to the Commission and that the authorities were currently in the process of analysing existing legislation in light of the new regulations.[8]
In this context, several NGOs working in the field decided to submit a document containing recommendations and suggestions for the authorities, particularly on issues where the Pact grants Member States a degree of flexibility in implementation. In the absence of the authorities’ vision regarding implementation, the recommendations remained relatively general. Based on this document, national NGOs requested meetings with key stakeholders in order to further elaborate on our proposals and to obtain additional information about the implementation plan. Meetings were held with a representative of the Border Police, with IGI during a project meeting on technical support provided by ICMPD, with the Ombudsman, and with the National Authority for Child Protection.[9]
Since the meetings were held separately with different institutions, the discussions focused on the specific mandates of each. These included the screening procedure, the independent mechanism for fundamental rights monitoring, the asylum procedure, reception standards, public custody and border return procedures, and the support provided to unaccompanied children and other vulnerable groups. Nevertheless, some topics were common across all meetings, including the role and involvement of civil society, the training of all actors involved, and the need for information provision, legal assistance, and interpretation services.[10]
UNHCR has been available to contribute to discussions on Pact implementation whenever requested by the authorities. Although UNHCR did not have an official role or input in drafting legislation, it participated in all relevant debates and provided advocacy input.[11]
UNHCR was invited by the Border Police to participate in a pilot screening exercise in Sighet, where the new screening procedure was tested in a real-life scenario involving persons arriving irregularly to Romania. The pilot exercise took place in an integrated centre and involved IGI, Border Police, EUAA, Frontex and Europol, whereas the Ombudsperson, CNRR and Frontex Fundamental Rights Officers were observers. The exercise included all phases of screening: health checks, information provision, identification and verification of identity, registration of biometric data and database consultation, preliminary vulnerability identification, completion of the screening form, referral to subsequent procedures. UNHCR (together with CNRR) had the opportunity to observe how the mechanism functions in practice and to formulate observations. This provided insight into how the authorities envisage the practical implementation of the screening mechanism.[12]
Significant changes will take place, as the Pact introduces several new procedures, including the screening procedure, the independent mechanism for monitoring fundamental rights, the right to remain on the territory in certain cases. Not least, there will be major changes concerning unaccompanied minors, who may, under specific exceptions, be placed in public custody. Some concerns relate to the lack of adequate conditions for vulnerable persons in public custody. This creates a greater risk of refoulement, as there will no longer be access to a higher court in the event of judicial errors. The accelerated procedures will also make it more difficult for individuals to access legal assistance in a timely manner and to have sufficient time to properly document their situation. [13]
On 4 February 2026, the Ministry of Internal Affairs published in transparency process the draft Law ensuring the national transposition of EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.[14] It set a consultation period of ten calendar days from the date of publication, reflecting the minimum timeframe required by law. Following JRS request to extend it, the General Legal Directorate of the Ministry of Interior responded that “given the proximity of the date of entry into force of the European Regulations that make up the Pact on Migration and Asylum, respectively the transposition of Directive (EU) 2024/1346, namely on June 12, 2026, in relation to the complexity of the information contained therein” it cannot be extended; as mentioned before, the complexity of the draft law was not considered in deciding the minimum period for consultations.[15] Also, the Ministry of Internal Affairs published with delay of five days after the initial publication and only after an express request, two relevant tables: one of concordance between the proposed Community normative acts to be transposed and the provisions of the implementing Draft Law and the second one comparative between the regulations in force and the proposed amendments, given that the Draft Law, intervenes in the existing normative framework; however, without considering any extension of the deadline. Two other documents were not published, namely preliminary assessment of the impact of the new regulations on fundamental human rights and freedoms, including by reference to the European Convention on Human Rights and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, and the impact study of the draft law.[16] The Ministry of Internal Affairs responded that “these aspects were carried out at EU level in the context of the development of the legislative pieces that make up the Pact on Migration and Asylum, the current normative approach having the role of ensuring the harmonized implementation of the relevant European regulations, respectively the transposition of the specified directive, not having created new policies in the field of migration and asylum”. [17] A public debate was organized on 24 February, following the specific request submitted by organizations who provided commentaries.
[1] Information provided by IGI-DAI, 02 March 2026.
[2] ibid.
[3] ibid.
[4] ibid.
[5] ibid.
[6] ibid.
[7] ibid.
[8] Information provided by CNRR, 03 February 2026.
[9] ibid.
[10] ibid.
[11] Information provided by UNHCR, 13 March 2026.
[12] ibid.
[13] Information provided by CNRR, 03 February 2026.
[15] Information provided by JRS Romania, March 2026.
[16] ibid.