Overview of the main changes since the previous report update

Author

JRS Romania

The previous update was published in August 2025.

International protection

Asylum procedure

• Key statistics: In 2025, the number of asylum applications in Romania continued to decrease significantly compared to previous years. 1,199 applications for international protection were registered, representing a 6% decrease compared to 2024. The number of first-time asylum applicants also declined, from 2,344 in 2024 to 1,163 in 2025. This follows an already notable decline in 2024, indicating a sustained downward trend in arrivals and applications. Regarding decisions, in 2024 a 1,932 decisions were issued, including 1,208 rejections, whereas in 2025 the number of decisions dropped significantly to 615. Out of the total decisions issued in 2025, 309 persons were granted refugee status and 306 were granted subsidiary protection. In terms of countries of origin, while in 2024 the main nationalities included Syria, Iraq and Nepal, in 2025 the main countries of origin continued to include Syria, Palestine and Iraq, with lower overall figures. In 2025, the 30 days legal deadline for resolving asylum applications was extended for 171 asylum applications, in well-justified situations, representing 14.3% of the total number of asylum applications registered.

• Border procedures: In 2025, the border procedure continued to be applied only in a very limited number of cases (24 applications).
• Pact implementation: In 2025, the Romanian authorities continued preparations for the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, which is expected to require significant legislative and institutional adjustments by June 2026. On 4 February 2026, the Ministry of Internal Affairs published in public decision-making transparency process the draft Law ensuring the transposition of EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.[1] (see further details below – EU Pact on Migration and Asylum)
• National Strategy on Immigration: On 17 March 2026 the Ministry of Internal Affairs published the Draft Government Decision for the approval of the National Immigration Strategy for the period 2026 – 2030 and for the amendment and completion of Government Decision no. 572/2008 on the establishment of the Immigration Management Commission. The Strategy has not been adopted by mid-May 2026.

Reception conditions

• Reception capacity: Reception conditions remained broadly unchanged in 2025, with accommodation and basic services continuing to be provided in centres managed by IGI. However, the decrease in the number of asylum applicants had an impact on the reception system. With a significantly lower number of applicants in 2025 compared to 2024, pressure on reception facilities was reduced, with a lower occupancy rate registered in all reception centres compared to the previous year. No substantial changes in the types of accommodation or material reception conditions were reported. The total accommodation capacity was of 1,100 places with the possibility of supplementing, in the existing spaces, with 262 places. The average occupancy rate during 2025 was 15.32%.
• Reception conditions: NGOs continued to provide complementary support through AMIF-funded projects, including information and counselling, Romanian language courses, cultural orientation, and material assistance.

Detention of asylum applicants/migrants

• Key statistics on detention: In 2025, a total of 397 persons were placed in detention in public custody centres, out of which 42 were applicants for international protection. At the end of the year, 29 persons remained in detention (9 in Otopeni and 20 in Arad). The average duration of detention was 35 days, although legal provisions allow detention for up to 6 months, extendable to a maximum of 18 months in specific cases. Detention continued to be carried out in two public custody centres, with a total capacity of 354 places (240 in Arad and 114 in Otopeni).
• Detention of asylum applicants: The use of detention remained primarily linked to return procedures, with asylum applicants representing a relatively small proportion of those detained. No individuals were reportedly placed in special arranged closed areas within reception facilities as a restrictive measure taken against asylum-seekers during the asylum procedure.
• Detention of vulnerable individuals: Regarding vulnerable groups, one minor was detained in 2025, with detention duration of 29 days, while two persons with special reception needs (e.g. victims of trafficking or torture) were also recorded among detainees. No unaccompanied minors were reported as detained.

Content of international protection

• Constraints in access to rights: Beneficiaries of international protection have access, according to the law, to a range of rights, including residence permits, access to the labour market, education, healthcare, and social assistance. In practice, however, ongoing challenges remain in the possibility to effectively enjoy these rights, particularly in relation to access to adequate and stable housing, integration on the labour market, and access to tailored support for vulnerable beneficiaries.
• Integration: Integration support continued to rely significantly on NGOs and AMIF-funded projects, which provided assistance such as counselling, housing, language courses, and support for access to services. In 2025, 1,019 beneficiaries of international protection originating, inter alia, from Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and Afghanistan were included in the integration programs.

Temporary protection

The information given hereafter constitutes a short summary of the 2025 Report on Temporary Protection, for further information, see Annex on Temporary Protection.

Temporary protection procedure

• Key temporary protection statistics: According to IGI, 201,890 residence permits were issued or reissued to temporary protection beneficiaries since 2022, of which 199,358 were issued to Ukrainian citizens. According to Eurostat, 27,330 persons were granted temporary protection in Romania in 2025, while the total number of decisions granting temporary protection between 2022 and 2025 was 215,600. According to UNHCR data based on information from IGI, the top five nationalities of third-country national temporary protection holders in 2025 were Türkiye (564), the Russian Federation (553), the Republic of Moldova (383), Iraq (159), and Azerbaijan (147).
• Access to the territory: According to the Territorial Inspectorate of the Border Police of Sighet, 10,250 Ukrainian citizens were detected crossing irregularly from Ukraine into Romania in 2025. 37 Ukrainian nationals applied for asylum in Romania in 2025. No reports or testimonies from 2025 suggested that anyone fleeing Ukraine was refused entry at the Ukrainian-Romanian border crossing points in 2025.
• Registration: Registration for temporary protection was carried out by the General Inspectorate for Immigration. No problems with registration were reported and registration was described as swift, with no delays reported.

Content of temporary protection

• Access to the labour market: According to the National Employment Agency, 3,411 Ukrainian citizens benefited from employment support services by 31 December 2025.
• Access to education: One of the main barriers in the education sector remains the language, many Ukrainian children continued parallel participation in Ukrainian online education, education hubs and Romanian schools.
• Housing: Housing challenges persisted in 2025, including rising rental costs, delays in financial assistance and limited accommodation options for vulnerable people.
• Access to healthcare: Barriers to healthcare access included language barriers, long waiting times, administrative difficulties and shortages of family doctors.
• Inclusion measures: Romania continued implementing temporary protection for persons displaced from Ukraine under Government Decision No. 367/2022, following Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382 and its subsequent extensions. Temporary protection beneficiaries are not included in the general integration framework applicable to beneficiaries of international protection or foreigners with a right of residence in Romania, while separate inclusion measures are applicable for them, based on Emergency Ordinance no. 100/2022. However, several support activities were reportedly reduced or closed in 2025 due to lack of funding.

[1] Ministry of Internal Affairs, Draft Law for the establishment and organization of screening centers, as well as for the amendment and completion of certain normative acts in the field of foreigners published in the decision-making transparency procedure on 04.02.2026, (RO only), available here.