On March 8, 2025, over 75,100 people, consisting of both Romanian and foreign citizens, and more than 16,800 vehicles crossed Romania's borders, as reported by the Romanian Border Police. This significant movement reflects both domestic and international travel patterns.
Among those entering Romania, 37,206 individuals and 8,790 vehicles successfully passed through border control. Notably, since the onset of the conflict with Ukraine, which began on February 10, 2022, the country has seen the arrival of 11,255,399 Ukrainian citizens by March 8, 2025. This influx has not gone unnoticed, as the authorities continue to adapt their response to manage this overwhelming number of arrivals.
Efforts to streamline border crossing have reached a new level since the elimination of border control at the internal borders with Hungary and Bulgaria on January 1, 2025. Citizens now have the liberty to move freely between Romania and other Schengen states—excluding Cyprus and Ireland—without needing to stop at police checkpoints for document verification. This policy shift signifies Romania's commitment to integrating more fully with the Schengen Zone, reducing wait times and enhancing convenience for travelers.
While providing these freedoms, authorities maintain the ability to conduct random checks within 30 kilometers of the internal borders as part of their efforts to uphold safety and security. Such inspections involve collaboration between the Border Police, local police, gendarmerie, and immigration authorities, ensuring comprehensive coverage and compliance with legal regulations.
Recent data from March 9 show over 11,400 checks executed via the eDAC application within the past 24 hours, ensuring vigilance against unlawful activities. The Romanian Border Police are committed to enforcing laws effectively, discovering 81 illegal activities—including 27 crimes and 54 misdemeanors—during this same timeframe. The presence of such actions raises concerns about border security amid the increased flow of people.
Fines totaling 23,600 lei were imposed on violators, and goods worth over 547,700 lei were seized from individuals attempting to breach regulations. The border police also intervened to deny entry to 30 foreign nationals who failed to meet legal entry requirements. Likewise, four Romanian citizens were prevented from exiting due to unresolved legal issues.
The Romanian Border Police are privileged to carry out these operations, emphasizing their responsibility to protect both the nation and its citizens. Their mission is to facilitate the smooth passage of travelers through the borders, ensuring safety under changing international conditions.
While adapting to the significant rise of Ukrainian refugees entering the country, the border police also aim to support citizens wishing to leave Romania. Information sharing, such as wait times at border crossings for international traffic, is made available through the online application Trafic on-line, accessible at http://www.politiadefrontiera.ro/traficonline/. This resource exemplifies the authorities' commitment to transparency and assistance.
This balance between freedom of movement and law enforcement is key as Romania navigates increasingly complex regional dynamics. The emphasis on maintaining public safety, preventing illegal activities, and facilitating travel reflects the broader European commitment to collaborative border management, especially relevant to the Schengen Area.
The Romanian Border Police constantly strive to adapt their policies to not only protect their citizens but also to accommodate the realities of modern migration, particularly as regional conflicts contribute to shifting demographics. The data from recent enforcement actions reminds us of the challenges the border police face daily.
Both the circumstances surrounding the Ukrainian conflict and shifts within the European Union influence how border police operate today. Romania must continuously evolve its methods, policies, and responses to maintain security standards without impeding the rights and experiences of travelers.
Through both rigorous enforcement and cooperative measures, the Romanian authorities are prepared to meet future challenges, ensuring their borders are secure and the rights of every individual are upheld during their travels. The road forward is one of enhanced cooperation, vigilance, and commitment to human dignity as the Romanian frontier continues to adapt to global movements.