Author
Specifically designed closed spaces
The Asylum Act provides for the possibility to impose alternatives to asylum detention, defined as “restrictive measures”, in order to fulfil the necessary formalities, to limit abuse of the asylum procedure, and in case the asylum applicant poses a threat to national security, on the basis of an individual assessment.[1] These consist of:[2]
- Reporting duties;
- Designated place of stay in one of the Regional Centres.
Detention in specially designed closed spaces may be ordered if reporting duties and designated place of stay measures cannot effectively be applied to carry out the necessary procedural formalities and to limit abuse of the asylum procedure.[3] In 2024, IGI-DAI did not provide any information regarding whether asylum applicants were held in the closed spaces within accommodation centres, which normally operate under an open regime.[4] In 2025, according to IGI-DAI, 2 persons were placed in specially designed closed spaces within the Regional Centres during the year. However, no further details were provided regarding the circumstances of such placements or whether these concerned asylum applicants.[5]
No restrictive measures may be imposed against an asylum applicant for the sole reason that they have lodged an application for international protection in Romania.[6]
In 2024, IGI-DAI mentioned that 1,155 measures were imposed regarding asylum applicants, noting that multiple restrictive measures can be applied to the same person. These included 128 restrictive measures establishing residence in a regional centre and 1,027 measures requiring individuals to report to the IGI office.[7] No similar data was made available for 2025.
Detention (“public custody”) centres
The placement of an asylum applicant in detention centres (“public custody”) may be ordered if the prior assessment regarding the possibility to impose alternatives to detention demonstrates that these measures are not possible and sufficient to meet the procedure and the purpose sought,[8] namely removal from Romania or transfer under the Dublin Regulation.
[1] Article 19^2(1) Asylum Act.
[2] ibid.
[3] ibid. Article 19^5(1).
[4] Information provided by IGI-DAI, 23 January 2025.
[5] ibid., 23 February 2026.
[6] Article 19^2(2) Asylum Act.
[7] Information provided by IGI-DAI, 23 January 2025.
[8] Article 19^13(2) Asylum Act.