Author
General information on rights, obligations and the procedure
The Asylum Act provides that the asylum applicant has the right to be informed, at the time of submission of the asylum application or later, within 15 days from the filing of the application, in a language which they understand or are reasonably supposed to understand, regarding the procedure, their rights and obligations during the asylum procedure, the consequences of non-compliance with these obligations and the lack of cooperation with the competent authorities, as well as the consequences of an explicit or implicit withdrawal of the asylum application.[1]
Competent officials are also obliged to inform asylum applicants about how they can contact non-governmental organisations and UNHCR, and how to obtain legal assistance and representation.[2]
In practice, respondents reported that there is no specifically tailored information provided to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. They are informed in the same way as adults, while they are also informed that they will have a legal representative. In general, unaccompanied children do not understand what this means. UNHCR also stated that there is a lack of accessible and adequate information materials for asylum-seeking children, child-friendly materials being an option.
The information has to be provided in writing by the official responsible for receiving the asylum application, according to a template established by order of the Director-General of IGI.[3] Where necessary for the proper understanding of the information, this may also be communicated orally at the preliminary interview.[4]
Since 2022, information materials were made available in all reception centres about rights and obligations that are provided immediately to the asylum applicants, verbally and in writing, when they are accommodated in the centre, with the support of available interpreters and by distributing leaflets/informative materials into the mother tongue. Information on the rights and obligations is also displayed in the interior of each centre in several languages (IGI-DAI[5] did not provide further details). According to CNRR the information is provided both verbally and by distributing leaflets available in languages such as English, French, Turkish, Ukrainian, Arab, Urdu, Pashto.[6] The IGI-DAI staff make an overall presentation of the information, further details are provided by the NGO staff present in each centre. [7]
In practice, respondents reported that there is no specifically tailored information provided to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. They are informed in the same way as adults, while they are also informed that they will have a legal representative. In general, unaccompanied children do not understand what this means. UNHCR also stated that there is a lack of accessible and adequate information materials for asylum-seeking children. UNHCR has sought to address this challenge by developing child-friendly materials and making them available in reception centres.[8]
In 2024 according to CNRR, asylum applicants received a list of rights and obligations from IGI immediately upon applying for asylum. In addition to the information provided by IGI officers, CNRR counsellors distributed leaflets on the asylum procedure in multiple relevant languages. Informational videos about the asylum process were also shown in the Regional Centres. In practice, the main challenge in providing information to asylum applicants is still the language barrier. However, when it comes to legal assistance, CNRR ensures that counselling is always conducted with the help of an interpreter.[9] According to a JRS representative in Galați, in 2024 information was conveyed both orally and through leaflets by staff from NGOs involved in asylum applicant support projects, such as CNRR and the ICAR Foundation. Additionally, IGI officers provided both individual and group information sessions for the benefit of asylum applicants.[10]
From the practice encountered in 2025, asylum applicants received a list of rights and obligations from IGI as soon as they submitted the asylum application. In addition to the information received from IGI officials, CNRR has developed leaflets on the asylum procedure in various languages of interest which legal counsellors distribute to asylum applicants. CNRR also developed videos about the asylum procedure in various languages of interest that are displayed in the Regional Centres. In practice, the main difficulties and/or flaws with regard to information to asylum applicants, remains the language barrier, a difficulty encountered especially in the judicial phase of the asylum procedure: there have been situations where courts have not had interpreters available for certain languages - especially rare languages In terms of the legal assistance CNRR is providing, we always assure that the counselling it is made through an interpreter, so that the information provided is fully understood by asylum applicants.[11]
Information on the Dublin procedure
IGI-DAI has the obligation to inform the asylum applicant of the content of the common leaflet drawn up by the European Commission.[12] The competent officer of IGI-DAI communicates the information contained in the common leaflet, drawn up according to Article 4(3) of the Dublin Regulation.[13] If the applicant is an unaccompanied minor, the designated officer shall provide them, in a manner appropriate to their level of understanding, with the information contained in the special information leaflet drawn up by the European Commission, complemented through additional specific information for Romania.
IGI-DAI[14] stated in 2023 that the asylum applicants receive information about the Dublin procedure and that there is available a brochure in 15 languages (no further details were provided).
According to CNRR, in 2024 a Common Information Brochure developed by the European Commission, in accordance with Article 4(3) of the Dublin Regulation, was provided to asylum applicants when they submit their application. This brochure, which includes additional details specific to Romania, is signed on the first page, with a copy retained in the applicant’s file. Additionally, a second brochure was available with information specifically adapted for unaccompanied minors, in which case the first page of this brochure is signed by a DGASPC representative, and the content must be explained to the minor in a way that aligns with their level of understanding by the official at the authority where the application was registered, as required by Article 118. A third brochure was issued when an individual is subject to the Dublin procedure. Alongside CNRR’s leaflets on the asylum process, information on the Dublin procedure was also provided in multiple relevant languages.[15]
From the practice encountered in 2025, asylum applicants were systematically informed about the application of the Dublin Regulation and all the legal implications of this procedure. However, not all applicants fully understood the information received, so CNRR legal counsellors provided asylum applicants additional information regarding the Dublin procedure in a manner adapted to their level of understanding. The common leaflet as well as the specific leaflet for unaccompanied children are provided and are a useful tool for asylum applicants, including unaccompanied minors. CNRR also provides leaflets relating to the Dublin procedure, which are also written in several languages of interest. 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. However, when a person requests asylum, interpretation is in most cases provided and the procedure is explained verbally by representatives of the Border Police.[16]
According to JRS Romania’s representatives in Galați, asylum applicants were repeatedly informed about Dublin Regulation provisions and the consequences of traveling to other EU member states. They were made aware that if they move to another EU country, they will be returned to Romania, where they initially filed their asylum application. This information was conveyed both by IGI authorities and by NGOs involved in asylum applicant support projects.[17]
[1] Article 17(1)(f) Asylum Act.
[2] Article 2(2) Asylum Decree.
[3] Article 2(1) Asylum Decree.
[4] ibid.
[5] Information provided by IGI-DAI, 18 January 2024.
[6] CNRR, ‘Useful materials’, webpage, available here.
[7] Information provided by CNRR, 16 January 2024.
[8] Information provided by UNHCR in March 2025.
[9] Information provided by CNRR in February 2025.
[10] Information provided by JRS representative in Galati, February 2025.
[11] Information provided by CNRR, 03 February 2026.
[12] Article 118 Asylum Act.
[13] ibid. Article 118(1).
[14] Information provided by IGI-DAI, 18 January 2024.
[15] Information provided by CNRR in February 2025.
[16] ibid., 03 February 2026.
[17] Information provided in February 2025 and confirmed in April 2026. Available here on CNRR website.