The information on this page was collected from public resources and does not constitute legal advice.
General information on border crossing?You can cross the border directly from Ukraine into Romania or enter the country via the Republic of Moldova. The direct crossing points between Romania and Ukraine are Halmeu/Dyakovo, Sighetu Marmaศiei/Solotvino, Siret/Porubne, Krasnoilsk-Vicovu de Sus, Dyakัvtsั - Racovฤศ and Isaccea/Orlivka (ferry crossing). You can check the interactive map showing the waiting time at https://dpsu.gov.ua/en/map |
What documents do I need to enter?You can enter Romania with any of the following documents:
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What happens after a border crossing?After crossing the border, you are free to continue traveling to your final destination or, if you need help, you can go to one of the centers located at the border or near the border. There you can find volunteers that can help you find accommodation or a way to get to a certain city; you can also temporarily stay there until a solution for your immediate problems is found. You can request accommodation on dopomoha.ro Another resource where you can look for accommodation is refugees.ro |
How can I get from the border to the capital (a certain town)?You can travel by train for free from the border to any city you need, only with the documents received at the border. You can check the train tickets here Alternatively, you can post in the Facebook Group of Romanians specially created to offer accommodation & transportation: United for Ukraine |
How can I travel to another (specific) country?Ukrainians or citizens of other visa-free countries can continue to travel to other EU/Schengen countries for up to 90 days in 180 days. If you don't have a biometric passport, it is recommended to contact the respective embassy of your travel destination to see whether a border is open also for those not having a biometric passport. Rules can be different for traveling by plane, train, bus or car. Travel options are: Free travel options from Romania are:
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How long can I stay?You can stay in Romania without a visa for 90 days in any 180 days period. More information here. Ukrainians who arrived in Romania have the right to apply for three types of protection: Temporary protection is a pan-European program, granted for a period of one year with the right to extend it for a period of 6 months to 1 year, if the situation in Ukraine does not improve. Ukrainians who lived in Ukraine until February 24, 2022, have the right to apply. After obtaining protection, you will receive a residence permit in Romania, access to the labor market, free medical care, the right to education for children, social support, as well as the opportunity to receive financial assistance in case of lack of funds necessary for existence. To register the status, it is necessary to apply to the General Inspectorate for Immigration Short-term arrival is issued on the basis of the foreign passport of a citizen of Ukraine when crossing the border. The right to registration can be used by all Ukrainians, except for men aged 18 to 60 who are conscripted. Short-term stay is granted for up to 90 days. In temporary accommodation camps, a person can receive humanitarian aid - food, clothing, hygiene products. The status also allows you to receive medical assistance, provides access to work, education and assistance in finding housing. Asylum seeker - this status is issued to extend the right of short-term stay. The application can be submitted directly at the border or later, but before the expiration of your visa. When registering, you must fill out the application form and submit all the documents you have to the General Inspectorate for Immigration. The application review period is one to two months. |
Where can an unaccompanied minor get help?All unaccompanied children, regardless of their age, can cross the border from Ukraine to Romania. |
Are there any Covid-related requirements and if yes, what are they?Currently, there are no Covid-related requirements at the border applicable to people fleeing war in Ukraine. |
Where do I register for temporary protection?In order to register for temporary protection you shall contact one of the centers or specialized structures of The General Inspectorate for Immigration |
What are my rights while I wait to get temporary protection?If you request temporary protection, there is no complex procedure and, in most cases, it takes a couple of hours for you to receive your permit and identification number. This being the case, there is no intermediary statute for those waiting to get temporary protection after they express their intention. Please read more about it here: https://dopomoha.ro/uk |
What documents will I receive once I get temporary protection?Once you get a temporary protection you will receive a residence permit and an unique numerical code, that shall be used for identification. |
May I temporarily return to Ukraine? What will happen to my protection status?If the asylum seeker returns to Ukraine, it is considered that he/she has voluntarily returned to the protection of the authorities in the country of origin and from this moment the assistance provided by the Romanian state will cease. |
Can I move around the country and the European Union freely while under temporary protection?Yes, you can move freely around the country and, also around the European Union for 90 days within a 180-day period. But you can benefit from the rights granted with the temporary protection only in the country that issued your residence permit. If you get to another Member State, you can contact the competent authorities there in order to benefit from these rights. |
Can I apply for asylum while under temporary protection? What is the difference?Yes, you can still apply for asylum. These forms of protection differ in terms of their duration and the rights granted for those who benefit from them. More information at https://www.pilnet.org |
How and where can I apply for the residency?As from the 8th of March 2022, Ukrainian nationals are exempt from obtaining the work visa. However, for obtaining a residency permit based on purposes other than work ( i.e. family reunification, secondment, digital nomad visa, etc) a long term visa should be obtained from a Romanian consulate abroad. Residence permits justify longer stays and, depending on the purpose of the permit, the statutory periods vary between 1 year (e.g. for work purposes) and even up to 5 years or 10 years, as case may be, subject to the special legal requirements in this. Generally, beneficiaries of temporary protection mechanism will be granted residence permits for this special purpose, for the duration of the mechanism itself. You can apply for it at the General Inpectorate of Immigration |
How long I need to wait to get the residency?If you request temporary protection, there is no complex procedure and, in most cases, it takes a couple of hours for you to receive your permit and identification number. This being the case, there is no intermediary statute for those waiting to get temporary protection after they express their intention. |
What if I don't have the international passport?Given the fact that the temporary protection regime is currently in force, you can cross the border without a biometric passport. In other cases any document verifying your identity might be sufficient. |
Where can I take a photo for my documents?There are numerous shops that offer such services. Look for printer shops & copy centers on Google Maps as they can provide you with this. |
Where can I translate my documents?There are several authorized translators throughout Romania that can offer such services for Ukrainian and Russian language, like Bucuresteni |
How do I get Mobile phone/internet services? |
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