Support for Ukrainian refugees in Romania: what is known about assistance until the end of 2025

The war, which changed the course of the lives of millions of Ukrainians, forced many to leave their hometowns, homes and everything familiar, seeking refuge abroad. Romania became one of the countries that opened its borders to refugees from Ukraine from the very beginning of the full-scale invasion. Despite the fact that in the information field this country appears less often in the context of large-scale support than Germany or Poland, the Romanian government consistently continues the humanitarian program for Ukrainian citizens. According to the decision adopted on March 20, 2025, support for certain categories of refugees has been extended until the end of the current year — that is, until December 31, 2025 inclusive.

Decision of the Government of Romania

As reported by the state agency Agerpres, at the government meeting on March 20, a normative act was adopted, which extended the validity of the Ukrainian refugee support mechanism for another nine months. In particular, we are talking about those citizens of Ukraine who arrived on the territory of Romania before July 1, 2024. This clarification is key, because new arrivals after this date are formally not subject to the extended package of humanitarian payments.

The document provides that persons who have been placed in designated places for refugees – state or organized by municipalities – can continue to receive monthly cash assistance. It is 500 lei (approx. 100 euros) per person or 1,500 lei (approx. 300 euros) per family.

Who is entitled to help?

The support scheme does not cover all Ukrainian citizens temporarily staying in Romania, but primarily the most vulnerable categories. Among them:

• people with disabilities or temporary incapacity;
• women in late pregnancy (third trimester);
• families with minor children;
• single mothers;
• elderly people who have no other source of income.

Such separation is a purposeful step that should provide targeted support to those who cannot provide for themselves the basic conditions of existence. Those Ukrainians who have the opportunity to work, study or receive other types of social assistance should take into account that the extended program does not cover all categories of temporarily protected.

A separate resolution on one-time assistance

In parallel with basic support, the government approved another important document that clarifies the mechanism of payment of one-time benefits for Ukrainian citizens who received temporary protection or a residence permit until July 1, 2024. These are payments made over three consecutive months with a fixed monthly amount: 750 lei (approx. 150 euros) per person or 2,000 lei (over 400 euros) per family.

This type of assistance is intended to provide a transition period — particularly for those who have just received their documents and need support in the initial phase of integration. It can also be obtained by those who are adapting to the labor market or looking for permanent housing.

Humanitarian support in numbers

According to the latest Eurostat data, as of January 31, 2025, approximately 4.3 million citizens of Ukraine had temporary protection in the EU. The largest number of Ukrainian refugees are in Germany (over 1.1 million people), Poland (975 thousand) and the Czech Republic (376 thousand). Romania, according to various sources, gave shelter to approximately 130–150 thousand Ukrainians, a large part of whom settled in border areas such as Suceava, Isaccia, Galatsi.

Despite smaller numbers compared to other countries, Romania consistently provides legal and domestic support to refugees, organizes translation, provides access to education and health services, and works on integration programs in cooperation with public organizations.

Inequality of access and challenges for refugees

Continuation of aid is certainly a positive signal, but Ukrainian refugees still face many challenges. First of all, not all regions implement the program equally effectively: queues for registration are observed in large cities, and there is a lack of informational support in rural areas. Some Ukrainians do not know about the changes or do not have time to complete the documents on time.

In addition, due to the differentiated approach to the categories of beneficiaries, some families remain outside the scope of assistance, even in spite of their difficult financial situation. In cases where the family has able-bodied members who can formally find work, but do not have real access to the labor market (due to language, age, childcare), the humanitarian aid program no longer provides for compensation.

Despite this, the continuation of the humanitarian program until the end of 2025 is an important step towards supporting those Ukrainians for whom return home remains impossible. At the same time, it indicates recognition: the war continues, and therefore the responsibility of the host states has not ended.

Romania tries to combine the principle of solidarity with a pragmatic approach: help is for those who really need it. This forms the basis for long-term decisions regarding the status of Ukrainian citizens in the country, who may in the future gain access to integration programs, the labor market, and education. This decision is of particular importance for those who have been in the country for a long time without having the opportunity to return to Ukraine or settle permanently in another state. Continuation of humanitarian assistance not only reduces the risk of marginalization for vulnerable groups, but also provides a sense of stability in the daily uncertainty that accompanies life in temporary protection status.