Author
According to Romanian Border Police reports, asylum seekers arrive in Romania mainly by land through the south-western border with Serbia,[1] through the southern border with Bulgaria,[2] and through the northern border with Ukraine.[3] In 2024, Romanian authorities intercepted multiple cases of attempted irregular border crossings through the Danube river, including a group of 19 Syrian migrants crossing by boat, while dismantling a large smuggling network facilitating irregular transit via the river; no casualties were reported.[4] In 2023, no incidents were reported on the Black Sea or Danube. In 2022, migrants were also intercepted by the Romanian Coast Guard in the Black Sea; according to Border Police reports 157 persons were rescued.[5]
The Border Police have reported that persons who are detected by border guards in connection with an unauthorised crossing of the state border and who do not make an asylum claim are returned to the neighbouring state, either on the basis of readmission agreements concluded by the European Union with third countries (Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia), or on the basis of bilateral treaties (Bulgaria, Hungary). They receive an entry ban for 5 years which is communicated and includes information on the reason and possibility to challenge the measure. This information is provided with the help of an authorised interpreter.[6]
In 2024, CNRR established a daily presence at Border Crossing Points (BCPs) with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, specifically at Sighetu Marmației, Siret, and Isaccea for Ukraine, and at Sculeni, Albita, and Galați for Moldova. In addition to this daily presence, CNRR conducted 16 independent monitoring missions at the borders with Ukraine, Moldova, and Bulgaria, as well as at international airports. The border monitoring activities are based on thorough assessments, taking into account previous reports, alleged incidents, statistical data, and other information collected directly from the Border Police, IGI, FDSPs, or through third parties. The visits are announced in advance to ensure the availability of relevant stakeholders.[7] During the visits, CNRR has access to the BCP, but not to the transit zone.[8]
Readmissions to neighbouring countries
Over the years, according to the information provided by IGI-DAI,[9] the Romanian Government has concluded readmission agreements with countries such as: Republic of Moldova, Albania, Lebanon, North Macedonia, Türkiye, Russia Federation, Georgia, Ukraine, India, Iraq, Armenia and China. These agreements were concluded by the Romanian Government for a non-determined period of time. According to CNRR, both returns and readmissions are made based on protocols, so these decisions are based on legal provisions and notified to the persons in question.[10]
In recent years, Romania has seen a significant decline in the number of returns to neighbouring countries under readmission agreements. According to the Border Police, 1,396 individuals were returned in 2022, compared to 831 in 2021.[11] However, by 2023, this number dropped sharply to 214, with returns decreasing notably at the borders with Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, and the maritime border.[12] In 2024, under the readmission agreement with Serbia, less than 40 individuals were returned, marking a significant decrease compared to previous years.[13] According to the AIDA Serbia 2024 report In 2024, a total of 20 individuals were officially readmitted from Romania to Serbia under the EU–Serbia Readmission Agreement, including 15 adult males, 1 underage male, 2 adult females, and 2 underage females.[14]
Access to Romanian territory and asylum: statistics and practices
In 2024, a significant decrease (over – 60%) in the migratory pressure at the Romanian border with Serbia was observed, despite other countries in the region seeing an increase in the number of arrivals. In 2024, the Border Police reported that 259 people were prevented from entering the country, the indicator decreasing by 67% compared to 2023.[15] In the past years, significantly less arrivals were registered on the border near Timișoara compared especially to the period between 2016 and 2021. According to the Border Police, the decrease in the number of arrivals at this border is due to an increased focus on migration management at this border and to the collaboration with border authorities of Serbia to prevent the irregular crossing of migrants from the neighbouring country.
This shift, however, is likely also to be attributed to an overall shift of the Balkan migratory route. Following Croatia’s Schengen accession, migration routes shifted, as it became easier and more cost-effective for irregular migrants to travel through Croatia instead of entering Romania and transiting through Hungary.[16]
According to IGPF,[17] in 2024, Romanian border authorities identified 18,396 foreign nationals attempting to irregularly cross into Romania. This number includes more than 14,800 Ukrainians who entered the country seeking protection from the Romanian government.[18] Moreover, 2,389 foreign nationals were found trying to irregularly leave Romania, mostly at the Hungarian border. In most of these cases, the individuals had originally entered Romania legally with work visas and were attempting to continue their journey toward Western Europe.[19] The main nationalities of the people attempting to cross the border are Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Nepal, Bangladesh, Turkey, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and India.[20]
In 2023, at the level of the state border of Romania, the following aspects can be highlighted regarding border crossings: 19,793 foreign citizens were registered as having irregularly crossed a border (6,712 accessing the country, and 12,278 trying to exit). Compared to 2022, there was a decrease at the entry by 30% (from 9,944 to 6,712 detected persons), and an increase of 93% with regard to exiting the territory (from 6,357 to 12,278 detected persons). A significant decrease was also reported when looking at the number of persons prevented from entering Romania: from 27,524 in 2022 to 803 in 2023 (representing 97%). The main ways of crossing irregularly the border in 2023 were: 5,755 (85%) were detected at the green border upon entry, while 8,533 (70%) were found hidden in various means of transport while attempting to exit the country. The top five countries of origin for those detected with irregular entries or exits by the border police were Ukraine (4,410), Bangladesh (4,208), Syria (3,184), Pakistan (1,803) and Nepal (1,219).
As a comparison with 2023, the total number of registered irregular crossings in 2024 decreased slightly (18,396 in 2024 vs. 19,793 in 2023), but the proportion of protection-seeking individuals, especially Ukrainians, increased. The number of irregular exits in 2024 (2,389) dropped substantially compared to 2023 (12,278), possibly due to enhanced border controls or shifting migration routes. Even though migration patterns indicate a shift, Romania remains a transit country, especially for legally employed migrants attempting secondary movement toward Western Europe.
According to ITPF Timisoara, in 2024, it was more common to observe individuals attempting to leave Romania and cross irregularly into other countries. Many of these individuals enter the country on work visas but do not comply with the intended purpose of their stay.[21] The 78% decrease in irregular exit attempts from Romania between 2023 and 2024 suggests a decline in the number of people entering with work visas and subsequently seeking to move onward. Notably, since 2017, there have been no incidents involving the use of firearms or complaints related to excessive force by ITPF Timisoara.[22] More recently, a decrease in both arrivals and exit attempts has been observed, potentially as a result of shifts in migration routes and enhanced border surveillance measures implemented by the Romanian Border Police.[23]
People detected crossing or attempting to cross the border entering Romania and people apprehended for irregular entry
In 2024, the European Union recorded a 38% decline in the number of irregular border crossings compared to the previous year, according to data published by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). The national border police identified a total of 18,396 foreign nationals who entered the country by irregularly crossing the border, approximately the same number as in 2023. This figure includes over 14,800 Ukrainian citizens who sought protection from the Romanian state upon their arrival.[24]
Over 351 people, Romanian and foreign citizens, were charged for being involved in migrant smuggling by supporting foreign citizens in their attempt to illegally cross the border. Regarding the nationality of the people detected while attempting an irregular border crossing, most of those detected were nationals of the following countries: Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Nepal, Bangladesh, Turkey, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India.[25]
If we refer to the mode of action at the border in relation to the total number of people detected crossing or attempting to cross, 85% of migrants were detected attempting to irregularly cross a green border. 12% tried to cross borders by hiding in means of transport. 2% attempted to cross at maritime and river areas using boats. 1% were detected trying to irregularly cross using other methods, such as false travel documents and visas, person substitution, or avoiding border controls.[26]
| Persons apprehended for irregular entry | |
| 2019 | 2,048 |
| 2020 | 6,658 |
| 2021 | 9,053 |
| 2022 | 4,966 |
| 2023[27] | 19,793[28] |
| 2024 | 18,396 |
According to the Romanian Border Police, the countries of origin of those apprehended at the border in 2024 included Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Nepal, Bangladesh, Turkey, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and India. However, no disaggregated statistical breakdown per nationality was made publicly available in the official report.[29]
At the regional level, ITPF Timișoara strengthened border control measures and collaborated with Serbian authorities to address migration challenges.[30]
In 2024, irregular border crossings further declined. Only 76 migrants attempted to enter Romania from Serbia, a 7% decrease from 2023. Of these, 38 were returned to Serbia, while 38 applied for asylum. Additionally, 24 readmission requests were submitted under the Romania-Serbia Readmission Agreement, all approved. At the same time, illegal exits from Romania into Serbia increased by 21%, with 34 individuals (mainly from Nepal) apprehended in 11 cases. A joint patrol system led to the detention of 20 individuals. [31]
Romanian authorities also prevented 268 illegal entries in 2024, a 67% decrease from 2023 (804 cases) and a striking 99% drop from 2022 (27,469 cases). According to the border police, this was due to improved surveillance, including the use of thermal cameras, Frontex’s “Sparrow2” aerial missions, and real-time data exchange with Serbia. Secondary migration toward Hungary also dropped by 77%, with only 18 cases involving 56 migrants, compared to 38 cases and 244 migrants in 2023. [32]
To combat smuggling, the judicial police at ITPF Timișoara targeted trafficking networks, leading to 16 individuals being investigated while at liberty and legal measures against 45 individuals—11 arrests and 34 placed under judicial supervision. These efforts reflect Romania’s ongoing commitment to securing its borders and addressing irregular migration through surveillance, cooperation, and enforcement. [33]
According to ITPF Timisoara, Following Romania’s entry into the Schengen Area, two internal borders remain in place, where the Border Police has continued to allocate personnel and resources. Joint operations are being conducted in coordination with both Hungarian and Bulgarian authorities to combat irregular migration networks, supported by effective inter-agency communication. Additionally, Romania has contributed 40 police officers to the joint deployment at the Turkish-Bulgarian border, alongside Austria, Hungary, and Bulgaria. These coordinated efforts have contributed to a noticeable decrease in irregular migration between Bulgaria and Romania.[34]
Pushbacks: refusals of entry and people ‘prevented from entering’ Romania
In 2024, Romanian border authorities denied entry to 10,266 foreign nationals who did not meet the legal requirements for entering the country, representing an increase by 41.7% compared to 2023. [35]
| Persons issued refusals of entry into Romania | |
| 2019 | 7,640 |
| 2020 | 12,684 |
| 2021 | 11,232 |
| 2022 | 9,044 |
| 2023 | 7,089 |
| 2024 | 10,266[36] |
According to ITPF Timișoara, which oversees border security in Timiș, Caraș-Severin, and Mehedinți counties, the statistics for individuals stopped from entering the country in this region alone were as follows:
| Persons prevented from entering Romania according to the ITPF Timișoara | |
| 2019 | 6,107 |
| 2020 | 34,938 |
| 2021 | 75,303 |
| 2022 | 27,469 |
| 2023 | 803 |
| 2024 | 268[37] |
According to IGPF,[38] in 2023, only 803 persons were prevented from entering Romania (called “whose travel direction was interrupted”), down from 27,524 in 2022. In 2024, a significant decrease (over 60%) in the migratory pressure at the border with Serbia was observed, regardless of the high number of arrivals that were still registered by other countries in the Western Balkans region. In 2024, only 259 people were prevented from entering the country at the border with Serbia, which represented a 67% decrease compared to 2023.[39] As previously mentioned, in recent years, arrivals have dropped significantly, largely due to migration routes shifting after Croatia’s Schengen entry, reducing pressure on the once-busy Timișoara border.[40] Also, this decline is due to a police operation in Serbia that took place in the end of 2023 during which migrants were forcibly evacuated from the entire northern border area with Hungary and Romania. 7,000 people were relocated to different camps in southern areas without being informed of their destination.[41]
Refusal of entry procedure and appeal
Pursuant to the Aliens Act, refusal of entry is motivated by the Border Police authorities and it is immediately communicated to the person concerned, using the form provided in Part B of Annex V of the Schengen Borders Code and the National Visa Centre within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[42] This form is provided to the person concerned in Romanian and English.[43]
As the Aliens Act does not foresee a special remedy against the decision of refusal of entry, general administrative law applies.[44] As a result, the person concerned may lodge an action against the decision before the Administrative Court with territorial jurisdiction over the area in which the issuing body of the contested administrative act is located.[45]
Prior to lodging an appeal at the Administrative Court, the person, who considers that their rights have been breached by an administrative act issued by a public institution, shall appeal to the issuing public authority within 30 days. The complaint should be addressed to the hierarchically superior body if there still is one (for example when the act had already been taken by a superior there might no longer be a hierarchically superior body).[46] The appeal is assessed in 30 days.[47]An appeal lodged to the Administrative Court without fulfilling this prior procedural step will be declared inadmissible. The complaint and the appeal to the Administrative Court have no suspensive effect.
The applicant may request the suspension of the administrative act to the competent court, when lodging the prior appeal,[48] or when appealing to the court.[49]
The Aliens Act prescribes that the foreigner against whom the measure of non-entry to Romania has been taken has the possibility to voluntarily leave the border crossing point within 24 hours. The term is calculated from the time when the measure of non-entry to Romania was ordered.[50]
Upon the expiration of the 24-hour term, the decision of refusal of entry to Romania is enforced by the Border Police, taking into account the state of health of the person concerned. The person is sent to the country of origin or to another destination accepted both by the person and the third state concerned, except Romania.[51] The consequence of this provision is that the foreigner against whom a decision of refusal of entry was taken has only 24 hours to lodge the appeal against the decision.
If the Border Police needs more than 12 hours to carry out the removal from the border-crossing point, the individual is accommodated in a space arranged for this purpose in the transit area, or, if this is not possible, to another location established outside the border-crossing point with transit area status.[52]
The Aliens Act prescribes a special procedure when the foreigner declares to the Border Police authorities that, in case they were forced to leave the border crossing point, they would have to go to a state where they fear that their life is endangered or they will be subjected to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment and they do not submit an asylum application.[53] When this occurs the Border Police officers shall immediately inform IGI-DAI, which, within maximum of 10 days, shall analyse the situation of the foreigner and determine whether the declaration is well-founded.[54] If a person’s statement is unfounded, IGI-DAI communicates the decision to the border police authorities, which will inform the person concerned in this respect.[55]
If the foreigner’s declaration is well-founded, IGI-DAI will enforce the decision of refusal of entry to Romania by removal under the escort of the foreigner. The provisions of the Aliens Act on removal under the escort, public custody of foreigners and toleration status on the territory of Romania apply accordingly.[56]
Reported pushbacks
In parallel, in 2022, UNHCR Serbia reported 1,232 pushbacks from Romania.[57] The number has decreased significantly in comparison with 2020, when 13,409 were collectively expelled from Romania to Serbia. In a report published in May 2024, the Border Violence Monitoring Network (BVMN) reported incidents of pushbacks at the Serbia-Romania border. In spring, the Serbian organization InfoPark revealed details of a violent pushback from Romania, where a man from Kazakhstan claimed he was subjected to physical violence by Romanian police before being forcibly returned to Serbia.[58] UNHCR received information on five incidents of lack of access to an asylum procedure where the person concerned reported to have asked for international protection at the border.[59]
As regards the border incidents, UNHCR Romania reported that on three occasions in January 2023, Romanian government authorities at the border with Serbia pushed back refugees and asylum seekers from third countries transiting through Serbia.[60] The US Department of State 2023 report mentioned that according to NGOs, several incidents of harassment, discrimination, abuses against refugees and asylum seekers, pushbacks, and deviations from asylum procedures at border areas occurred throughout the year. Most incidents were not reported because of fear, lack of information, inadequate support services, and inefficient redress mechanisms. CNRR reported[61] that persons claimed that potential abuses at the border were notified to the border police, and the institutional response was hesitant, including denial of access to potential beneficiaries at Otopeni Airport, while there were gaps in access to the territory and the asylum procedure, mainly in situations involving other nationals than Ukrainians (Russian Federation or Belarus) who were allegedly ‘discouraged entry to Romania’ by Border Police officers.
According to UNHCR Romania, in interviews conducted with almost 2,000 asylum-seekers between June 2022 and November 2023,[62] when asked about attempts to enter Romania, 5% of total respondents declared that they had had at least one failed attempt. Out of this 5%, 77% of people had made more than one attempt to enter, with 20 attempts being the highest number mentioned and 34% of respondents having attempted to cross twice. 95% of respondents reported having been prevented from crossing by the border police. Out of 5% of total respondents who reported at least one failed attempt to enter the country, 80% reported not having been asked by the authorities if they wish to apply for asylum. However, 83% of respondents reported having been informed of the right to seek asylum through NGOs, other refugees/asylum seekers as well as through asylum authorities. While 89% of total respondents reported that they were not subject to any form of violence during the process, 11% reported experiencing incidents including property confiscation / destruction, physical abuse / mistreatment, and unwanted sexual attention. It should be noted that these incidents may be attributable to either authorities (Romanian or Serbian) or private persons on either side of the borders.
Applications for asylum at border crossing points
In 2023, 772 third-country nationals applied for asylum at the border crossing points.[63] According to IGI-DAI, a total of 45 applications for international protection were processed under a border procedure, in accordance with Article 43 of Directive 2013/32/EU.[64] The top five countries of origin for applicants in this procedure were: the Palestinian Authority in Palestine, with 31 applications, followed by Uzbekistan (3 applications), Ukraine (2 applications), Syria (2 applications), and the Russian Federation (2 applications).[65]
According to the Border Police, asylum applications are generally not submitted at border crossing points, as legislation restricts access to Romanian territory, permitting a maximum stay of 20 days within transit zones.[66] When a third-country national is apprehended for irregular crossing and submits an asylum claim, the border police may detain the individual for up to 24 hours solely to conduct a preliminary interview related to the irregular entry.[67] Upon receipt of an asylum request, the IGI is promptly notified, and the border police also inform the UNHCR implementing partner accordingly.[68]
Issues related to exiting Romania
While irregular entry or stay in Romania committed by persons who have been granted a form of protection is not punishable,[69] irregular exit from the country is punishable under the Criminal Code by imprisonment from 6 months to 3 years or a fine.[70]
According to the General Inspectorate of Border Police (IGPF),[71] in 2023, 12,278 foreign citizens were involved in irregular migration exiting Romania. Compared to 2022, it was an increase of 93% with regard to exiting the territory (from 6,357 to 12,278 detected persons). 8,533 (70%) were found hidden in various means of transport while attempting to exit the country. The top five countries of origin for those detected with irregular entries or exits by the border police were Ukraine (4,410), Bangladesh (4,208), Syria (3,184), Pakistan (1,803) and Nepal (1,219). In 2024, 2,389 foreign citizens were detected while attempting to irregularly cross a border into neighbouring countries, with most of them being detected at the border with Hungary. In these cases, it is mostly about the migration towards Wester European Countries of the labour force coming from foreign countries to Romania, meaning individuals who entered the country legally, with work visas.[72]
Measures taken by Romanian authorities to “close migration routes” and limit irregular entries
In 2024 according to the Romanian Border Police, 259 migrants were prevented from entering Romania via the Serbian border—a 67% decrease compared to the 803 prevented in 2023. Illegal border crossings declined by over 60% following enhanced collaborative measures with Serbian authorities.[73]
In 2024, Romanian authorities intensified efforts to combat migrant trafficking along key border segments, particularly those with Serbia and Hungary. According to the Romanian Border Police, a total of 728 individuals suspected of being involved in migrant smuggling networks (guiding, transporting, facilitating illegal entry) were identified and detained—representing a 30.5% increase compared to the previous year. This significant rise occurred despite an overall drop in irregular migration figures, suggesting more targeted law enforcement and intelligence-led operations.
These efforts were supported by a comprehensive package of measures, including:[74]
- Reinforced surveillance along the western and southern borders;
- Joint patrols and operations with the National Police, Gendarmerie, and the General Inspectorate for Immigration;
- Mobile controls in key transit areas such as the vicinity of Timișoara’s North Station, a known hotspot for secondary movement;
- The deployment of aerial surveillance missions, supported by FRONTEX and the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
- Participation in the Joint Operation Terra 2023, extended into 2024, focused on external EU border control with Serbia, Ukraine, and Moldova.
In 2024, as mentioned above, the overall number of arrivals from the Serbian border further dropped compared to the previous year. Beyond a general decrease in the number of arrivals on the route, the Romanian Border Police also implemented a series of measures directed at curbing irregular arrivals at this specific border, such as deploying new technology, strengthening surveillance at key borders, increasing patrols with advanced equipment, and conducting aerial surveillance and joint operations with national security forces.[75] According to the Border Police, in 2024, irregular crossings at the Romania-Serbia border showed more departures from Romania to Serbia than entries from Serbia. This shift is likely due to challenges in Hungary and easier access through Croatia. Fingerprints taken upon entry to Romania increase the risk of people being identified and returned from other EU countries. Authorities recorded 125 detection events involving 526 third-country nationals: 172 attempts to exit Romania irregularly, 30 entries from Serbia, 59 unauthorized presences in the border zone, 251 irregular stays in Romania, and 34 readmissions from Serbia.[76]
The European Commission pilot with Romania and cooperation with Frontex
Starting in March 2023, Romania implemented a six-month pilot project initiated by the European Commission. The pilot included a “border management and international cooperation” component, given the Terra Joint Operation with Frontex across all of Romania’s external land borders, especially that with Serbia which is “considered of critical importance” by the Commission. The Commission made available EUR 10.8 million to Romania for reinforcement of the management of the EU’s external borders, in addition to Romania’s national allocations under the BMVI, which is of EUR 129.77 million for the period 2021-2027. The Commission considers recent activities at Romania’s border with Serbia to be good practices to be further enhanced through:
- Continued “successful management” of the external border with Serbia, with “continued activities for prevention of irregular migration” though common patrols with Serbian authorities;
- Europol continued support to the Romanian Police and Border Police, to be extended;
- Romania maintaining “maximum hosting capacity for Frontex standing corps officers for border surveillance” at the border with Serbia, and expanding their access to databases for a “more efficient use of the standing corps”
- Deployment of Frontex mobile surveillance vehicles operation for border surveillance as Frontex aerial surveillance.
- The Commission is to assess potential needs for funding for more equipment in order to maintain “a high level of border surveillance and control at the Romanian-Serbian border”.
The pilot also included aspects related to asylum, particularly the Accelerated procedure and a joint return decision together with the international protection rejection; and other measures to streamline return, the enhancement of voluntary returns.
In October 2023, at the end of the 6-month pilot, the European Commission reported[77] “solid results” and “best practices identified” in all three aspects of the pilots. Regarding border management specifically, according to the European Commission,[78] Romania continued to demonstrate “successful management” of its external borders with Serbia, based on activities for prevention of irregular migration with the Serbian authorities. The following activities, realised in those 6 months, were highlighted as “good practices” by the European Commission:
- Joint patrol missions: a total of 448 joint patrols on the territory of both States were carried out.
- Joint “ad hoc” patrols: 140 cases with 422 people were registered and following exchanges of information with the Serbian authorities, 34 migrant smugglers were identified and further investigated by the relevant authorities. Where there is concrete operative information or other indications regarding a border event, the signatory parties can organise joint “ad hoc” patrols. Supporting the activities in question can also be carried out with the help of some means of aerial surveillance (Frontex surveillance aircraft, helicopter, drones).
- International cooperation with Serbia: according to agreed procedures, the Romanian and Serbian authorities constantly exchange information about any aspects related to irregular migration, in order to prevent and combat cross-border criminality through Common Contact Point Portile de Fier I. At the same time, Romania is an active host of the Joint Operation Terra by Frontex that covers the entirety of its external land border sections with Serbia, Ukraine and Moldova. The border section with Serbia is considered of critical importance and deployments for green border surveillance “fully meet” the operational needs agreed between Frontex and Romania.
At a public event, an official from the Ministry of Internal Affairs described the pilot as enabling Romanian authorities to identify groups of migrants approaching the Serbian-Romanian border and thus to notify Serbian authorities “long before they reach the border”. According to him, the Serbian authorities then have an obligation to intervene, and manage to do so most of the time. These preventive activities contribute to reducing “illegal” flows. According to the statistics presented, only 221 “aliens having entered illegally through Serbia” submitted asylum applications to the border police in 2023, as opposed to 1,455 in 2022, i.e. an over 80% decrease. The project is presented as a “whole of route cooperation” initiative that involved Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and the European Commission. It has allowed for improved cooperation with the Serbian authorities but also with Frontex, whose staff, through a change in legislation in May 2023, can now access all relevant databases.[79]
Given the “positive achievements” according to the Commission, continued cooperation in the framework of the pilot project was decided.[80]
Following the “solid results” of the 2023 EU pilot project, Romania continued in 2024 to strengthen its border management capacities and deepen cooperation with both Frontex and Serbian authorities. The Romanian Border Police maintained the strategic approach established during the pilot, including coordinated patrols, real-time data exchange, and targeted risk-based controls at the border with Serbia, which remains a critical area for the EU’s external border policy.
These developments reflect Romania’s continued alignment with EU priorities on border governance and migration control, and the institutionalization of practices initially introduced under the 2023 pilot.[81]
As regards border management, among other things, Romania continued to implement a “strategic approach to apprehensions and border controls” with the aim of addressing irregular migration and preventing secondary movements, to ensure a constant level of preparedness at the external borders, and building on the cooperation established between Romania and Frontex in the context of the pilot project and going forward.[82] In June 2023, FRONTEX launched operation Centurion, as a new pilot project in Romania taking into account the rapidly growing number of officers, the agency considered it needs to take steps to reinforce the command in the field and decentralise some of its activities for better coordination and communication with host country authorities.[83]
In 2024:
- Romania sustained its role as an active host for the Joint Operation Terra, with deployments covering all external land borders with Serbia, Ukraine, and Moldova. [84]
- The Commission confirmed ongoing support for Romania’s green border surveillance activities, building on the operational framework established during the pilot phase. [85]
- FRONTEX operation Centurion, launched in 2023, was further consolidated in 2024 as a mechanism to reinforce field command and improve direct coordination with Romanian border authorities. [86]
- Legislative reforms enacted in 2023 allowing Frontex officers access to relevant Romanian databases were fully operationalized in 2024, facilitating more effective cooperation on surveillance and return.[87]
- According to the personnel at Moravita BCP, there are always 2 Frontex border guards that work in shifts with different areas of expertise.[88]
Ill-treatment at the border
2024: According to the Border Violence Monitoring Network (via InfoPark), in spring 2024 a man from Kazakhstan reported being physically assaulted by Romanian police before being forcibly returned to Serbia. This represents one of the few documented incidents, and while overall pushback figures are low, the presence of physical violence – including alleged beatings – remains a serious concern.[89]
2023: For the year 2023, CNRR[90] states that, based on discussions its legal counsellors had with asylum seekers, some of them said that they had been hit or had experienced other abusive behaviour on the Romanian territory, for example at border crossings in the western region of Romania. The abuse behaviour described by them consisted in using a high tone of voice, applying strokes (in the abdomen/legs area), not granting permission to use the toilet for a certain period of time. For example, in Timisoara, a Russian citizen, who applied for asylum at the Moravita Border Crossing Point, during the asylum procedure at the border, stated that the Romanian authorities did not show respect towards him, the border police officers displaying a disrespectful attitude.
Most of the incidents related to Romania were reported on by various organisations mainly present in Serbia. KlikAktiv[91] reported cases of “formalised push-backs” between Romania and Serbia which clearly violated the people’s right to seek asylum and the principle of non-refoulement with deportations of higher numbers of third country nationals, including people seeking international protection, back to Serbia by applying the readmission agreement between the EU and Serbia without an effective assessment of protection needs or asylum claims. One person seeking international protection was deported from Romania to Serbia immediately after he was caught on Romanian territory. Were also documented cases of people transferred back to Romania under Dublin further deported to Serbia based on the readmission agreement. Also, Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung[92] reported that several dozen thousand persons were pushed back from Croatia and Romania.
CNRR received reports from people claiming potential abuses at the border, which were subsequently brought to the attention of the border police. The answer of the authorities to these claims remained limited. For instance, CNRR was not granted access to potential beneficiaries of international protection at Otopeni Airport, despite having notified the relevant authorities of possible rights violations.[93]
International reactions regarding access to the Romanian territory
In 2023, the UN Committee for the Prevention of Torture[94] noted that there is a lack of experienced, qualified interpreters to assist in victim identification processes, and in the asylum system more generally and recommended that the authorities ensure access to its territory and sufficient and effective protection from refoulement at borders by making sure that people seeking asylum at the border receive appropriate information about their rights, including information on procedures, appeal mechanisms and legal aid, immediately and in a language that they understand.
In 2022, GREVIO[95] reported delayed access to legal representatives, NGOs and UNHCR of people apprehended at the border (in some cases, they have received information about people apprehended at the border who may need international protection, only after they had been readmitted to neighbouring countries or denied access to Romanian territory) and asked that the authorities ensure effective provision of accessible, easy-to-understand and gender-sensitive information on protection measures, to persons apprehended at the borders, prior to their application for readmission/return procedures.
The bipartite agreement on border monitoring
In Romania there is a framework on border monitoring, which takes place under a bipartite agreement between UNHCR and IGPF. CNRR is UNHCR’s implementing partner as described in the Memorandum of Understanding. The border monitoring activities include: formal meetings with the authorities, monitoring missions at border crossing points and public custody centres, and counselling sessions on international protection with people who request assistance at the border.
When carrying out monitoring activities, there were no major obstacles. However, when immediate intervention is needed, the access of the counsellors is delayed by formal notifications and prior approvals. CNRR will have further meetings with the Border Police to discuss a quicker way of accessing persons of concern in urgent cases.
Visits are usually conducted at border crossing points where a relevant number of entries or exits was registered. The number of visits conducted depends on the circumstances, such as the number of arrivals, influx of migrants.
In case of regular monitoring visits, the Border Police is notified in advance. In case of emergency interventions regarding specific asylum cases, the Border Police is notified on the same day or shortly before the visit is conducted.
In 2023, a total of 77 monitoring visits were conducted by CNRR at the border, of which 69 visits were conducted at the Serbian, Bulgarian and Hungarian borders, 8 at the Moldovan and Ukraine borders. None of the monitoring visits were conducted jointly with UNHCR. In 2024, there were 16 monitoring visits at the borders with Ukraine, Moldova, and Bulgaria, as well as in International Airports. The visits were carried out by CNRR, as implementing partner of UNHCR, based on a memorandum of understanding among the three parties.[96] In addition, Frontex maintained its presence through regular monitoring, conducting more than four to five visits annually to ITPF Timisoara.[97]
Information provision, interpretation at the border and NGO access
Information provision
According to the Asylum Act, if there are elements that indicate that a foreigner intends to apply for international protection in Romania in the context of pre-trial detention or detention facilities, penitentiaries, border crossing points or transit area, the competent authorities for the asylum application provide information on the possibility of submitting the request.[98]
As regards the information about the possibility to make an asylum application, the Border Police stated that the territorial structures of the Border Police have leaflets in several international languages in circulation, including Arabic, Kurdish, Pashto, Farsi. The leaflets cover information on the rights and obligations of asylum seekers and information regarding the assistance provided by NGOs.[99]
The Border Police reported that they provide information both orally and in writing. The available leaflets in English, French, Arabic and different dialects of the Arabic are made by UNHCR. No interpreter is present at the information session.[100]
In 2024, CNRR had daily presence in BCPs with Ukraine and Republic of Moldova, namely Sighetu Marmatiei, Siret and Isaccea (with UA) and Sculeni, Albita and Galati (with MD). Information on asylum is available at the BCPs via UNHCR-placed visibility materials. However, given the chosen location of the materials, it is not always accessible to those who may be in need of protection and do not receive access to territory. The information is complemented with CNRR-designed flyers on the asylum procedure, available in 6 languages. Governmental materials on asylum are not available at the BCPs, nor a language-sensitive information.[101]
In 2023, CNRR reported that, following consultations with UNHCR on the information needs at the border with Ukraine and Moldova, 10,000 leaflets with information on the asylum procedure were drafted and translated into Ukrainian and distributed at border crossing points with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova in order to increase access to accurate information on the RSD procedure. In 2022, leaflets with DOPOMOHA[102] were distributed by CNRR to the people coming from Ukraine. The leaflet promoted the DOPOMOHA platform which contained official and secure information. Also, it indicated contact data for all the relevant Romanian authorities.[103]
CNRR discovered that there were no updated information leaflets on the asylum procedure in other languages. The team started working on a new leaflet on the right to ask for asylum in Romania to disseminate in 2023. Leaflets can only be displayed at border-crossing points with prior approval by the authorities (Border Police). CNRR stated that any person detained at the border for illegal crossing or who presents themselves at a border-crossing point, following hearings by the judicial police officer, is informed that they have the right to make an asylum application. In 2024, CNRR counsellors provide leaflets on the asylum procedure in several languages of interest in Reception centres and detention centres, alongside the videos about the asylum procedure are also displayed in the Regional Centres. Leaflets were distributed at the borders as well in 2024 during the monitoring visits.[104]
CNRR counsellors observed that few reports were received regarding the information provision at the Bulgarian, Serbian and Hungarian borders. However, at the Otopeni International Airport, three people reported that they did not have access to information during their detention in the transit area. They also stated that the Border Police officers ignored their requests and did not call interpreters when needed.[105]
Interpretation
CNRR mentioned that any interview, hearing or investigation made by the authorities (Border Police) is accompanied by an interpreter.
In 2024 According to CNRR, at the border when a person requests asylum, interpretation is in most cases provided and the procedure is explained verbally by representatives of the Border Police and, when available, by CNRR counsellors.[106]
The representatives of ITPF Timișoara declared that an interpreter is called when foreigners are apprehended. Foreigners are informed about the right to make an asylum application immediately verbally in English or in writing through FRONTEX leaflets. The Border Police has access to interpreters in all languages spoken by apprehended migrants and in case of need they can contact the embassies for guidance.
According to the Border Police, when an interpreter is not available, they use special translation devices to communicate with the people apprehended at the border.[107]
Access to NGOs
At this stage, NGOs have access to border-crossing points only once third-country nationals have submitted the asylum application. Furthermore, NGOs need to be informed about the migrant’s presence directly by the Border Police, through UNHCR Romania or by the migrant’s family or friends or by him/ herself. Given the Memorandum of Understanding between the UNHCR and the General Inspectorate of the Border Police, the representatives will mutually notify each other when immediate intervention is needed at the border crossing-point/transit area, via telephone/e-mail.[108]
According to CNRR in 2024 the access is nominal for CNRR staff, based on needs, and includes regular access for areas covered by CNRR with daily presence, as well as access-upon-request for other monitoring activities. Given the continuous collaboration with authorities at the border with Ukraine and Republic of Moldova, access is granted without impediments. However, there have been situations where limitations have been imposed, including when requesting to offer counselling on protection procedures, upon beneficiary’s request.[109]
Legal access to the territory
Between 2018 and 2022, Romania resettled refugees primarily from Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon, with quotas varying by year.[110] In 2023, Romania transferred 154 Syrian refugees—54 from Turkey, 25 from Jordan, and 78 from Lebanon. These refugees could access Romania’s integration program, which facilitates employment, education, housing, medical care, and social assistance.[111] Each institutional stakeholder (Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour and Social Justice, Ministry of Health) is responsible for the integration of foreigners in its area of activity; the coordination and monitoring of the policies are the responsibility of the Ministry of Interior through the General Inspectorate for Immigration. The program includes Romanian language courses, cultural orientation, job and education assistance, and psychological support.[112] For 2024-2025, Romania should have accepted 200 refugees in need of resettlement.[113] There were no resettlements in 2024.
In the context of complete joining to the Schengen, in March 2024, Romania adopted several measures in a speedy procedure (Emergency Ordinance 25/2024) in conjunction with the need to ensure the control of illegal migration and the reduction of secondary movements[114]. The justification was related also to the full application of the Schengen acquis by Romania involving the need to increase measures to ensure public order and safety, especially in relation to the contingent of 100,000 foreign workers newly admitted to the labor market (in 2024), given that Romania faced a wide range of illegal migration methods, given its geographical position, at the confluence of the East – as the area of departure for migrants, and the West – as the destination area for illegal migration. The main forms of illegal migration identified on the territory of Romania refer to illegal entry into the territory, legal entry and, subsequently, remaining on the territory after the expiry of the term granted by the entry visa, established in the documents abolishing the visa regime or granted by the temporary residence permit, all followed by detection in illegal situations and the imposition of restrictive measures. Some of the foreigners detected in the situations may request a form of international protection on the territory of the state, which leads to the creation of artificial pressure on the national asylum system by delaying or preventing the implementation of the restrictive measures. Therefore, the law was amended by providing that the measure of revocation of the visa may be ordered by the authorities in inter alia if the individual employment contract was not concluded within 15 working days from the entry of the foreigner into the territory of Romania or, as the case may be, from obtaining the new employment permit, in the case of a long-stay visa for employment; this shall not be ordered in the situation where the failure to conclude the individual employment contract is due to the fault of the employer (Art. 33 of the Emergency Ordinance 25/2024[115]).
[1] Border Police, ‘Doisprezece migranţi din India şi Pakistan, sprijiniţi de un cetățean român, depistați la granița cu Serbia’, 14 February 2022, available in Romanian here: ‘Doisprezece cetățeni din Afganistan și Pakistan, depistaţi de poliţiştii de frontieră timișeni’, 23 April 2022, available in Romanian here; Cetățean sârb cercetat în stare de arest preventiv pentru trafic de migranți, 25 November 2022, available in Romanian here.
[2] Border Police, ‘Cetățean libian, depistat ascuns într-un autocamion la PTF Giurgiu’, 26 January 2022, available in Romanian here; ‘Doi cetățeni străini depistați ascunși în cabina unui autocamion, sub o saltea’, 19 January 2022, available in Romanian here; ‘Un migrant în stare de hipotermie, ascuns pe șasiul unui autocamion, salvat de polițiștii de frontieră doljeni’, 14 February 2022, available in Romanian here; ‘Patru cetățeni afgani ascunși printre covoare, depistați de polițiștii de frontieră doljeni’, 26 March 2022, available in Romanian here; ‘Trei cetăţeni afgani, ascunşi într-un TIR încărcat cu piese auto’, 09 March 2022, available in Romanian here; ‘Cinci cetățeni străini ascunși printre conserve și sucuri, descoperiți în P.T.F. Giurgiu’, 06 June 2022, available in Romanian at here; ‘Șoferul unei autoutilitare arestat preventiv pentru trafic de migranți’, 04 June 2022, available in Romanian here; ‘Doi cetățeni sirieni depistați ascunşi în podeaua unui autoturism la PTF Calafat’, 08 August 2022, available in Romanian here; ‘Șoferul unei autoutilitare cercetat în stare de arest preventiv pentru trafic de migranți’, 19 September 2022, available in Romanian here; ‘Opt cetățeni sirieni, ajutați de doi cetățeni români, descoperiți de polițiștii de frontieră giurgiuveni în timp ce încercau să treacă ilegal frontier’, 26 November 2022, available in Romanian here.
[3] Border Police, ‘Depistaţi din elicopter când au trecut ilegal frontiera’, 21 April 2022, available in Romanian here.
[4] Agerpres, ‘O navă s-a scufundat în Marea Neagră, în apropiere de Sf. Gheorghe; opt persoane salvate, trei dispărute’, 18 May 2024, available in Romanian here.
[5] Border Police, ‘Ambarcaţiune cu migranţi interceptată de poliţiştii de frontieră români, în apropierea ţărmului românesc al Mării Negre’, 19 August 2022, available in Romanian here; ‘Misiune de salvare a vieţii omeneşti pe mare a unor migranţi depistaţi într-o ambarcaţiune din apele teritoriale româneşti la Marea Neagră’, 02 June 2022, available in Romanian here; ‘27 de migranți ajutați de două călăuze, cu o ambarcaţiune turcească, descoperiți de polițiștii de frontieră din cadrul Gărzii de Coastă’, 17 May 2022, available in Romanian here.
[6] Information provided by Border Police, 3 March 2021.
[7] Information provided by CNRR, February 2025.
[8] Meeting with NGOs during ECRE fact-finding visit to Romania, 17 March 2025.
[9] Information provided by IGI-DAI, 18 January 2024.
[10] Information provided by CNRR, 7 February 2023.
[11] Information provided by Border Police, 6 April 2023.
[12] Ibid., 16 January 2024.
[13] Meeting with the General Inspectorate of the Border Police (IGPF) during ECRE fact-finding visit to Romania, 18 March 2025.
[14] Information provided by the Ministry of Interior of Serbia, Department for Readmission, 07–2/25 and 07–34/24, cited in AIDA, Country Report: Serbia – 2024 Update, July 2025, available here.
[15] Romanian Border Police, Evaluarea activităţii Poliţiei de Frontieră Române desfășurate în anul 2024, 19 February 2025, available here.
[16] Meeting with IGPF during ECRE fact-finding visit to Romania, 18 March 2025.
[17] Romanian Border Police, ‘Analiza activității Poliției de Frontieră Române pe anul 2023’, 13 February 2024, available in Romanian here.
[18] Romanian Border Police, Evaluarea activităţii Poliţiei de Frontieră Române desfășurate în anul 2024, 19 February 2025, available here.
[19] ibid.
[20] ibid.
[21] Meeting with ITPF Timisoara during ECRE fact-finding visit to Romania, 20 March 2025.
[22] ibid.
[23] ibid.
[24] Romanian Border Police, Evaluarea activităţii Poliţiei de Frontieră Române desfășurate în anul 2024, 19 February 2025, available here. However, according to the General Inspectorate for Immigration, a number of 4.507 Ukrainian citizens have been registered as asylum-seekers in Romania between 24 February 2022 and 31 December 2024, available here.
[25] Romanian Border Police, Evaluarea activităţii Poliţiei de Frontieră Române desfășurate în anul 2024, 19 February 2025, available here.
[26] ibid.
[27] Information provided by Border Police, 16 January 2024
[28] Ministry of Internal Affairs, ‘Main results of the activities carried out by MAI structures in 2023 for crime prevention and combating, as well as citizen protection’, available in Romanian here.
[29] The information is based on the Romanian Border Police’s official 2024 activity report. For detailed data and context, see the Evaluation of the Activities of the Romanian Border Police in 2024 (March 19, 2025), Available here.
[30] Timisoara Border Police Territorial Inspectorate, Evaluarea activității Inspectoratului Teritorial al Poliției de Frontieră Timișoara pe anul 2024, 20 Feburary 2025, available here.
[31] ibid.
[32] ibid.
[33] ibid.
[34] ibid.
[35] The information is based on the Romanian Border Police’s official 2024 activity report. For detailed data and context, see the Evaluation of the Activities of the Romanian Border Police in 2024 (March 19, 2025), Available here.
[36] The information is based on the Romanian Border Police’s official 2024 activity report. For detailed data and context, see the Evaluation of the Activities of the Romanian Border Police in 2024 (February 19, 2025), Availible here.
[37] Timisoara Border Police Territorial Inspectorate, Evaluarea activității Inspectoratului Teritorial al Poliției de Frontieră Timișoara pe anul 2024, 20 Feburary 2025, available here.
[38] Romanian Border Police, ‘Analiza activității Poliției de Frontieră Române pe anul 2023’, 13 February 2024, available in Romanian here.
[39] Romanian Border Police, Evaluarea activităţii Poliţiei de Frontieră Române desfășurate în anul 2024, 19 February 2025, available here.
[40] Meeting with the General Inspectorate of the Border Police during ECRE fact-finding visit to Romania, 18 March 2025. See also: ECRE/AIDA, Country Report on Serbia – Update on 2024, July 2025, available here.
[41] Pushed, beaten, left to die, European Pushback Report 2024, February 2025, available here.
[42] Article 8(4) Aliens Act.
[43] Information provided by Border Police, 12 February 2020.
[44] Act 554/2004 on Administrative Litigation.
[45] ibid. Articles 6-18.
[46] ibid. Article 7(1).
[47] ibid. Article 7(4) in conjunction with Article 2(1) g).
[48] ibid. Article 14.
[49] ibid. Article 15.
[50] Article 9(1) Aliens Act.
[51] ibid. Article 9(2).
[52] ibid. Article 9(3).
[53] ibid. Article 9(5).
[54] ibid. Article 9(6).
[55] ibid. Article 9(7).
[56] ibid. Article 9(8).
[57] UNHCR, Country Reports Serbia, available here.
[58] BVMN, Balkan Regional Report, May 2024, available here.
[59] Meeting with UNHCR during ECRE fact-finding visit to Romania, 19 March 2025.
[60] US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Romania, April 2024, available here.
[61] CNRR, Input by civil society organisations to the Asylum Report 2024, 2023, available here.
[62] UNHCR Romania, Regional protection monitoring report – Romania 2022/2023, March 2024, available here.
[63] Information provided by the Border Police, 16 January 2024.
[64] Information provided by IGI-DAI, 23 January 2025.
[65] ibid.
[66] Meeting with the General Inspectorate of the Border Police during ECRE fact-finding visit to Romania, 18 March 2025; Art. 87 Asylum Act.
[67] ibid.
[68] ibid.
[69] Article 11 Asylum Act.
[70] Article 262(1) Criminal Code.
[71] Romanian Border Police, ‘Analiza activității Poliției de Frontieră Române pe anul 2023’, 13 February 2024, available in Romanian here.
[72] Romanian Border Police, Evaluarea activităţii Poliţiei de Frontieră Române desfășurate în anul 2024, 19 February 2025, available here.
[73] The information is based on the Romanian Border Police’s official 2024 activity report. For detailed data and context, see the Evaluation of the Activities of the Romanian Border Police in 2024 (March 19, 2025)
[74] The information is based on the Romanian Border Police’s official 2024 activity report. For detailed data and context, see the Evaluation of the Activities of the Romanian Border Police in 2024 (March 19, 2025), available here.
[75] Romanian Border Police, Evaluarea activităţii Poliţiei de Frontieră Române desfășurate în anul 2024, 19 February 2025, available here.
[76] Meeting with the General Inspectorate of the Border Police during ECRE fact-finding visit to Romania, 18 March 2025.
[77] European Commission, Reporting on progress made the Pilot Project for fast asylum and return procedures with Romania, October 2023, available here.
[78] ibid.
[79] Presentation by the Head of Risk Analysis Department, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Romania, in Panel 3, ‘A new system for the border’, at the EMN Belgium Presidency Conference, 25 June 2023, video available here.
[80] European Commission, Reporting on progress made the Pilot Project for fast asylum and return procedures with Romania, October 2023, available here.
[81] The information is based on the Romanian Border Police’s official 2024 activity report. For detailed data and context, see the Evaluation of the Activities of the Romanian Border Police in 2024 (March 19, 2025)
[82] European Commission, Cooperation framework between the European Commission, the EU Agencies and Romania, 2023, available here.
[83] FRONTEX, ‘Frontex launches new pilot project in Romania’, 18 June 2023, available here.
[84] The information is based on the Romanian Border Police’s official 2024 activity report. For detailed data and context, see the Evaluation of the Activities of the Romanian Border Police in 2024 (March 19, 2025), available here.
[85] ibid.
[86] ibid.
[87] ibid.
[88] Meeting with the Border Police at Moravita BCP, 21 March 2025.
[89] As documented in the Border Violence Monitoring Network’s May 2024 report, a Kazakh national reported being physically assaulted by Romanian police before being forcibly returned to Serbia, available here.
[90] Information provided by CNRR, 16 January 2024.
[91] KlikAktiv, Pro Asyl (Network of German refugee councils), Formalizing Pushbacks – The use of readmission agreements in pushback operations at the Serbian-Romanian border, 2023, available here.
[92] Nikola Kovačević, Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung, Human Rights Pushbacks in the Western Balkans, December 2023, available here.
[93] CNRR, Input by civil society organisations to the Asylum Report 2024, 2023, available here.
[94] UN committee for the Prevention of Torture, CAT/C/ROU/CO/3/23.08.2023, Concluding observations on the third periodic report of Romania, August 2023, available here.
[95] Council of Europe GREVIO Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, Baseline Evaluation Report Romania [GREVIO/Inf(2022)6], June 2022, available here.
[96] UNHCR, CNRR and IGPF. Information provided by CNRR, February 2025.
[97] Meeting with ITPF Timisoara, 20 March 2025.
[98] Article 35^1 Asylum Act.
[99] Information provided by Border Police, 2 March 2022.
[100] ibid., 6 April 2023.
[101] Information provided by CNRR, February 2025.
[102] DOPOMOHA (means help in Ukrainian) is a web support and information platform for migrants fleeing the war in Ukraine. It is a project created by Code for Romania in partnership with the Department for Emergency Situations (DSU), The UN Refugee Agency, International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the National Romanian Council for Refugees (CNRR), more information is available on the website here.
[103] Information provided by CNRR, 7 February 2023.
[104] ibid., February 2025.
[105] ibid., 7 February 2023.
[106] ibid.
[107] Meeting with the General Inspectorate of the Border Police during ECRE fact-finding visit to Romania, 18 March 2025.
[108] Meeting with the General Inspectorate of the Border Police during ECRE fact-finding visit to Romania, 18 March 2025.
[109] Information provided by CNRR, February 2025.
[110] IGI-DAI, Annual Activity Report of 2019, available in Romanian here. Information provided by IGI-DAI, 20 February 2020. Information provided by IGI-DAI, 16 February 2021. Information provided by IGI-DAI, 11 March 2022. Information provided by IGI-DAI, 22 February 2023.
[111] Article 20 Asylum Act.
[112] Information provided by the IGI-DAI, 18 January 2024.
[113] DECISION no. 87 of 8 February 2024 to supplement art. 3^1 of Government Decision no. 1596/2008 on the resettlement of refugees in Romania, available here.
[114] Substantiation Note of the Emergency Ordinance 25/21.03.2024 for the amendment and completion of certain normative acts in the field of foreigners and the border, available here.
[115] Emergency Ordinance 25/21.03.2024 for the amendment and completion of certain normative acts in the field of foreigners and the border, available here.