The Romanian State ensures the conditions for the integration of foreigners who have been granted a right of residence in Romania into the economic, social and cultural life of the country, as well as their access to the education system.
To this end, activities may be organized and carried out, such as: Romanian language courses, courses and other forms of professional training and further training, providing information on the rights and obligations of foreigners, as well as on the opportunities for integration into Romanian society, courses on Romanian history, culture, civilization and the Romanian legal system, or meetings on the occasion of various events, in which Romanian citizens also participate, with the aim of promoting mutual knowledge and understanding.
In all the activities they carry out, public institutions and non-governmental organizations will ensure the protection of foreigners against any form of discrimination.
Foreigners, holders of the right of long-term residence, benefit, under the law, from equal treatment with Romanian citizens as regards:
- access to the labor market, including employment and working conditions, self-employed economic activities and professional activities, with the appropriate application of the provisions of the special legislation on the conduct of economic activities by authorised natural persons, sole proprietorships and family businesses, provided that the activity carried out does not involve, even occasionally, the exercise of public authority prerogatives,
- access to all forms and levels of education and vocational training, including the award of study grants;
- the equivalence of studies and the recognition of diplomas, certificates, certificates of competence and professional qualifications, in accordance with the regulations in force;
- social security, social assistance and social protection;
- public health care;
- deductions from overall income tax and tax exemptions;
- access to public goods and services, including obtaining housing;
- freedom of association, affiliation and membership of a trade union or professional organisation.
At the same time, foreigners holding a temporary right of residence, employed, registered unemployed or researchers, benefit, under the law, from equal treatment with Romanian citizens as regards:
(a) working conditions, including with regard to wages and protection measures against dismissal or other unfavorable treatment by the employer, outstanding payments to be made by the employer in respect of any outstanding remuneration, as well as occupational safety and health requirements;
- access to all forms and levels of education and training, including the award of study grants;
- the equivalence of studies and the recognition of diplomas, certificates, certificates of competence and professional qualifications, in accordance with the regulations in force;
- social security;
- social assistance and social protection;
- public health care;
- deductions from overall income tax and tax exemptions;
- access to public goods and services, including obtaining housing;
- freedom of association, affiliation and membership of a trade union or professional organisation, including the rights and benefits conferred by such organisations;
- services provided by employment agencies.
However, social assistance and protection shall not apply to aliens holding the right of temporary residence for employment purposes obtained on the basis of an employment permit for seasonal workers or the right of temporary residence for the purpose of posting.
It should be noted that foreigners who have been employed in Romania or their descendants are entitled to old-age, invalidity or death pensions, even if they no longer live in Romania, under the same conditions as Romanian citizens or their descendants who no longer live in Romania.
At the same time, foreigners holding the right of temporary residence for the purpose of posting as IC T workers also benefit from the treatment applied to employees posted to Romania in the framework of the provision of transnational services in terms of working and employment conditions.
Cristian Badea – Attorney at law
