Romania: temporary protection for Ukrainians extended to March 2027, the "50/20" programme replaced by a fixed payment

The Council of the European Union extended temporary protection for Ukrainians to 4 March 2027. The EU member states reached political agreement on this on 13 June 2025, and the legally binding decision — Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1460 — was officially adopted on 15 July 2025. The protection covers more than 4 million Ukrainians who fled because of Russian aggression, and it likewise applies in Romania. This is yet another extension — the previous term was due to expire on 4 March 2026.

For those already registered in Romania, nothing needs to be done: according to the clarification of the General Inspectorate for Immigration, the permits of temporary protection beneficiaries are valid for the entire period of application of the EU decision and are extended automatically, without filing a separate application.

Who temporary protection applies to

Three main categories retain the right to temporary protection in Romania:

• citizens of Ukraine who resided in Ukraine before 24 February 2022;
• stateless persons and third-country nationals who had international protection in Ukraine before that date;
• third-country nationals with a valid permanent residence permit in Ukraine who cannot safely return.

What will happen after March 2027

On 16 September 2025, the Council of the EU adopted a recommendation on the transition from temporary protection to other statuses. It advises member states to offer Ukrainians national residence permits — for example, on the basis of work, study, education or family reunification — for those who meet the conditions. This is preparation for a gradual exit from the temporary protection scheme, not its abolition: until 4 March 2027 all rights are preserved.

The "50/20" programme has been abolished: what now

The old "50/20" scheme, introduced by Emergency Government Ordinance No. 15/2022 (adopted on 27 February 2022, in effect from the beginning of March 2022), provided for compensation of 50 lei per day for housing and 20 lei per day for food, with the money for housing transferred directly to the owners of the dwellings. This model has been abolished.

From 1 July 2024 (under Emergency Government Ordinance No. 96/2024), a fixed monthly payment applies to cover the costs of accommodation and food:

• 750 lei per month — for one person;
• 2,000 lei per month — for a family.

Reduced rates — 500 lei (one person) and 1,500 lei (a family) — apply to those already receiving additional state housing support. The support is provided for a period of up to 3 consecutive months, counted from the date of entry into Romania.

Who is not entitled to the payment

The payment does not apply to those who receive international protection, live in state temporary accommodation centres, or have already received housing assistance under the previous rules.

How to apply for the payment

The application is submitted to the local primărie (town hall) together with the following documents:

• a valid temporary protection permit;
• passports of family members;
• details of a Romanian bank account (in lei);
• a completed application form.

The application for the first month must be submitted within the first 5 working days of the first month. The local authorities verify entitlement to the payment within 3 working days.

What to do after the payments end

When the period of fixed support expires, beneficiaries can apply for the minimum inclusion income (venit minim de incluziune) under Law No. 196/2016 — provided they meet its criteria.

All official conditions and forms are available on the state support portal dopomoha.ro, and information on temporary protection — on the UNHCR Romania page.