What to do after temporary protection?

Temporary protection in the EU has been extended until March 4, 2028 — the decision has been in force since August 5, 2026. This means you have time, and the question is not "how to make it in time" but "what to turn this time into": your own residence permit, an asset or — with Romanian roots — straight into EU citizenship. Protection, meanwhile, remains what it was: a temporary mechanism, not a final status. Below are the working routes in Romania and the course of action step by step.

What to do after temporary protection — a straight answer

While the protection is in effect, build a permanent ground: a national residence permit through work or your own company, and with Romanian roots — citizenship straight away, bypassing the residence permit. The extension until March 4, 2028 removes the rush but does not cancel the task: temporary protection applies in only one EU country at a time, and time spent under it, as a rule, does not automatically count toward the 5-year period for long-term residence. Every month on your own status works for you; a month on a temporary one does not. Family and study remain working grounds for those they suit — the route is chosen to fit the situation, not the other way around.

Why temporary protection is not a final status

Temporary protection was introduced in March 2022 as an emergency mechanism, not as a path to permanent residence. The Council of the EU extended it until March 4, 2028 and at the same time recommends that countries prepare the transition of beneficiaries to national residence permits — through work, study, family or business. Romania has confirmed the protection and retains several working transition routes, which makes it a convenient point for those who want to stay in the EU with a view to long-term status. The practical conclusion: the extension is not a reason to postpone the decision but a resource of time to go through the transition calmly and in the right order. Some countries are already moving protection beneficiaries to national statuses on their own schedules — it is sensible to orient yourself by your own route, not by the general calendar.

A residence permit through work: a special regime for Ukrainian citizens

Ukrainian citizens in Romania have an advantage that many do not use. Under OUG No. 20/2022, Ukrainians who entered legally can take up employment without a work permit (aviz de angajare) and extend their right of residence for the purpose of work. A single document (permis unic) is issued, confirming both the right of residence and the right to work, for up to 1 year, renewable for subsequent one-year periods. This is a ready bridge from temporary protection to a work-based residence permit — with one caveat: it is tied to the employer, and the status lives as long as the employment does. The Direct Employment scheme also applies: employment based on a self-declaration of qualifications, a status for 9 months, renewable while the employment continues.

A residence permit through your own SRL company — a route without dependence on an employer

If you do not want to depend on someone else's decision to hire you, a residence permit through your own company gives more control. You register an SRL, become its administrator or associate and obtain the right of residence on the basis of running a business. The route suits those who work remotely, run their own business or plan investments, including in real estate. The tax structure should be set up correctly from the start: from 2026 a micro-enterprise pays 1% of turnover with a threshold of up to €100,000, and the dividend tax is 16%. In practice the path looks like this: registering the SRL, formalizing your role in the company, confirming the activity, filing with IGI and renewing as the company operates. The full step-by-step transition plan is in the article "Temporary Protection to Residence Permit in Romania: A Step-by-Step Plan".

Romanian roots: the mistake is going for a residence permit when citizenship is available

The most expensive mistake on this topic is spending years building temporary statuses without checking for a ground for citizenship. If among your ancestors there were residents of territories that were part of Romania, repatriation gives not a residence permit and not permanent residence, but citizenship straight away — with no requirement of prior residence or relocation. The result is the status of an EU citizen with the right to live, work and study in any country of the Union. An additional argument right now: under OUG No. 16/2026, a repatriation file can be submitted without a B1 language certificate — the window is open until March 14, 2027. The second typical mistake is waiting until the last moment: the closer any deadline, the higher the load on the authorities, and a file submitted in advance is always stronger than one submitted in a hurry. If you have not started yet, start with checking your family tree: it may completely change the strategy. The check is based on family documents — certificates, extracts, archival records; some lost records can be restored through state archives.

How Alliance works

Alliance handles the transition under a contract that sets out the timelines, the amount and the working procedure; the company's licenses are publicly available on the website. The roles are divided: Alliance holds the legal, banking and tax structure in full, while Armonia selects real estate and housing for your strategy — including a lawful basis of residence for the residence permit. The scope of work: choosing the ground, checking the family tree, gathering and legalizing documents, filing with IGI or ANC, support until the documents are in hand.

"The right to Romanian citizenship is confirmed by documents — and we take that right all the way to the passport. The decision is made by the authority: the result cannot be guaranteed, but the file can be assembled so that it raises no questions. The timelines, amount and working procedure are set out in the contract."

Conclusion: you have been given time — turn it into a status

The extension until March 4, 2028 is a resource, not a postponement of the decision. The course of action is simple: determine the ground — work, a company or roots; check the family tree; confirm housing; gather and legalize the documents; file with time to spare. Each of these steps can be taken without changing your usual life.