Housing and accommodation

1. How can we benefit from the Government of Romania’s assistance programme?

Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, the Government of Romania has been providing assistance dedicated to Ukrainian refugees living in Romania.

On 25 September 2024, the Romanian Government Decision for establishing the amount, conditions and mechanism for awarding the lump sums according to the Romanian Government Emergency Ordinance no. 96/2024 regarding the award of support and humanitarian assistance by the Romanian state to foreign citizens or stateless persons in special situations, coming from the area of the armed conflict Ukraine was adopted. Please check the following criteria to determine your eligibility for the current government assistance programme:

  • Refugees from Ukraine who enter Romania for the first time since the start of the conflict, starting from 1 July 2024, have the right to accommodation assistance in temporary and humanitarian accommodation centres. Alternatively, eligible refugees can receive a lump sum for a maximum of three consecutive months, amounting to 750 RON/month for single person and 2000 RON/month for a family.
    In the first five working days of each month, refugees from Ukraine should submit their application to the local administration, demonstrating that they meet the following conditions:

    1. 1st month – Temporary Protection permit and open bank account in Romania;
    2. 2nd & 3rd month – the following conditions must be fulfilled:
      • Register with AJOFM as job seekers –with exceptions only for those who meet one or more of the following:
          • enrolled in higher education;
          • possess a disability certificate;
          • temporarily incapable to work;
          • over 65 years old;
          • caring for a 2- or 3-year-old child with disability.
      • Children enrolled in schools/hubs as students or as audients. For ante-preschoolers and preschoolers to prove that they are enrolled in the Romanian educational system, through one of the forms referenced in the Government Decision, is also fulfilled when they prove that they could not be enrolled due to a lack of spaces at one particular unit. With exceptions only for those who meet the following:
          • 15-18 years old enrolled in AJOFM.
  • Refugees who arrived in Romania prior to 1 July 2024 and have not benefited from the entire three-month period provided in Government Emergency Order no. 15/2022 have the right to cover household expenses for three consecutive months. They receive a lump sum amounting to 500 RON/month for single person and 1500 RON/month for family.
  • Refugees who were previously housed in collective shelters, will continue to benefit from this support until March 31, 2025, if they fall within one of the following categories (proven through documents issued by Romanian authorities):
    1. are classified as disabled and present a certificate issued by the Romanian Commission for the Evaluation of Adults with Disabilities;
    2. temporarily unable to work or suffering from a temporary medical condition incompatible with employment, as well as women in the third trimester of pregnancy;
    3. suffering from serious medical conditions as defined in Art. 1 of the Order of the Minister of Labor and Social Solidarity and the Minister of Health no. 2,172/3,829/2022 regarding the granting of the caregiver’s grant;
    4. are caregivers or comforters/attendants of persons in situations a) and c);
    5. are single persons over 50 years of age and registered as unemployed;
    6. are single persons raising or caring for a child up to 7 years of age;
    7. are single persons who are unemployed and have 2 or more children over 7 years of age in their care;
    8. persons who have reached retirement age, according to Romanian legislation.

 

Please visit the Government’s website to find more information on the current programme and eligibility requirements.

https://protectieucraina.gov.ro/1/serviciu-de-informare-a-refugiatilor-ucraineni-care-vor-sa-se-integreze-pe-teritoriul-romaniei/

Please note that only refugees from Ukraine holding Temporary Protection in Romania are eligible for this programme.


Are you an asylum-seeker, refugee, beneficiary of subsidiary protection, beneficiary of tolerated status, or a stateless person in Romania (not coming from Ukraine)?

2. Where can we find information about available accommodation?

UNHCR does not offer accommodation assistance and suggests checking with trusted friends, family and community members for possible information on available accommodation.

Information on available apartments and houses for rent can be found online and through real estate companies, but please stay safe and use only verified companies or real estate agents and be aware of any costs that may be associated with these services.

3. We have been notified about eviction, where can we appeal to change the decision?

UNHCR is unaware of any formal appeal process and suggests that you speak directly with the landlord or staff of the accommodation center where you are staying to discuss any available options to appeal.

If you feel that you are being wrongfully evicted, please contact the CNRR hotline for information on your rights and available legal services. Telephone: (+40) 730 073 170 or +40 721 206 926

4. Is there any emergency accommodation available for the night?

Emergency shelters may be available in your location of residence. Please check with the relevant Department of Social Assistance (Direcţia de Asistenţă Socială – DAS) or Public Service for Social Assistance (Serviciul Public de Asistență Socială – SPAS) in your locality for more information on available local social services and your eligibility.

5. How can UNHCR help us?

UNHCR is the main international organization working closely with Romanian authorities on asylum issues and monitoring asylum procedures. UNHCR is also active in raising awareness for refugee topics and works together with NGOs, academia, media, etc. UNHCR does not directly offer accommodation assistance.

To learn more about UNHCR’s activities in Romania, please see:

 

All services are free of charge. Any person who offers to help in exchange of money or favors should be reported immediately (UNHCR hotline number is +40 723 653 651 and UNHCR email: [email protected])

6. What other services are available if we need them?

You can access the following websites for information on available services and support in Romania:

If you reside in or near the following locations, you can also access the local service and community hubs for more information.

  • Brasov: KATYA Service and Community Hub, Strada Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu 13
  • Bucharest: RomExpo integrated service hub, UNHCR RomExpo, Bulevardul Expozitiei Nr. 2, Sector 1
  • Constanta: The Civic Resource Center, Bd. IC Brătianu nr. 5, Constanța
  • Cluj: Ukraine House community center, Strada Napoca 25
  • Galati: UNHCR Services Hub, Strada Movilei 2-8