Rights and duties of asylum-seekers

Among others, you have the right to: 

• Be assisted by a lawyer during the asylum procedure 
• Contact and be assisted by an NGO or UNHCR 
• Be provided with a free of charge translator during the asylum procedure 
• Receive information in a language that you understand  
• Access your personal asylum file and request copies of it, based on a request 

Among others, you have the obligation to: 

• Accept being photographed and finger-printed 
• Give truthful and complete information regarding your identity and the reasons why you need protection or cannot return to your country 
• Provide documents regarding your identity (including passport) if you have them
• Hand over any other documents relevant to your asylum claim 
• Attend the asylum interview(s) and not leave the country irregularly 
• Abide by the laws in Romania 

If your asylum application is finally rejected and you do not have any other legal right to stay in Romania, you need to leave the country within 15 days of receiving the decision.  

Among others, you have the right to: 

• Be accommodated in a Regional Reception Centre (if you do not have enough financial resources to live by yourself) 
• If you have specific needs (if you are under 18 years or have medical needs, disabilities, etc.), you may benefit from accommodation and assistance adapted to your situation 
• If the accommodation capacity of the Regional Reception Centers is exceeded, the General Inspectorate for Immigrations may offer you, within the limit of their available funds, a sum of money to rent a place to live 
• Remain in Romania throughout the entire asylum procedure 
• Receive a temporary identification document 
• Participate in cultural accommodation classes  

Among others, you have the obligation to: 

• Not leave your city/town of residence without permission from the General Inspectorate for Immigration  
• Any change in your residence status must be reported to the authorities within five days. (If you chose to live outside a Regional Centre) 
• Respect the rules of the Regional Centre you are living in.  

Not respecting the rules of the Regional Centre you live in can have serious consequences. Sanctions may include: not receiving the financial assistance of 6 lei/day for a period between one and three months, or your temporary or permanent eviction from the Reception Centre.  You have the right to challenge a sanction. If you find yourself in this situation, contact an NGO at the center to find out your options.

You may have the right to: 

• Receive financial assistance for food (10 lei/day/person) and other expenses (6 lei/day/person), twice per month in case you do not have any financial means to support yourself. 
• Receive financial assistance to buy adequate clothing, twice per year, depending on the season: 100 lei/person/winter season and 67 lei/person/summer season. 
• Receive additional social assistance, depending on your individual situation and needs. You can ask a representative of an NGO if this applies to your situation.  

You have the right to receive free basic medical assistance and treatment, emergency medical assistance in a hospital and free medical treatment for acute/chronic illnesses which put your life at immediate risk.  

If you have special medical needs, you have the right to receive proper medical care based on your condition. 

After applying for asylum, you will have the obligation to attend a medical examination to establish your health situation. Information regarding your medical situation will remain confidential. It is important you tell the doctor if you have any medical problems or if you are taking any medicine so that you receive assistance as soon as possible.   

Your right to medical assistance cannot be suspended under any circumstances.

Children, meaning all those below the age of 18, have the right to go to kindergarten and school under the same conditions as Romanian children.  

In order to help them integrate into school, children can also attend Romanian language classes.  

Education is very important, and children should go to school as soon as possible. Ask the personnel of the Regional Reception Centre or the NGOs there for help so that your children go to school. 

You have the right to work in Romania 3 months after you have applied for asylum.  

You can do this under the same conditions as Romanian citizens, meaning you don’t need a work permit.  

If you were residing and working legally in Romania at the time you applied for asylum, you can continue working.  

In both situations, you should ask the General Inspectorate for Immigration to issue you a document certifying you have the right to work in Romania.