On July, 27 2025 I have sent the following Petition, translated here in English, to the General Inspectorate for Immigration (I.G.I.) through the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI):
Request for Clarifications Regarding IGI’s Refusal to Process the Change of Address Without Passport – Request for Reply Exclusively by E-mail
To: Ministry of Internal Affairs – General Inspectorate for Immigration
For the attention of: The Directorate competent for resolving petitions
Dear Sir/Madam,
I, the undersigned, Ghiglia Mauro, Italian citizen (EU), CNP 7600523400015, holder of the permanent residence card for EU citizens issued by IGI, series […] valid until […], hereby submit this petition pursuant to Government Ordinance no. 27/2002 regarding the resolution of petitions.
Facts (23 August 2025):
On the morning of 13.08.2025, after having submitted the documents and received an appointment through the IGI portal for changing the address registered on my residence card, I presented myself at the IGI counter. However, the officer at the counter refused to process my request on the grounds that I did not have my passport with me, although I identified myself with the valid IGI permanent residence card. I was informed that without the passport the application would not be accepted.
Legal Grounds and Arguments:
- According to Emergency Ordinance no. 102/2005 regarding the free movement on the territory of Romania of EU/EEA citizens (section “Right of Permanent Residence,” art. 20), EU citizens who have acquired permanent residence enjoy administrative rights corresponding to their status; the residence card issued by IGI is proof of the right of residence and an official document issued by the competent authority.
- EU guidance (“Your Europe”) specifies that the permanent residence permit/card is useful for administrative formalities and is generally accepted by authorities as proof of status.
- This petition is submitted under the provisions of Government Ordinance no. 27/2002, which allows submission by electronic mail and obliges the authority to provide a response within 30 days (art. 2 and art. 8).
- I followed the required steps through the IGI portal, uploading the requested documents for the appointment in accordance with IGI’s public instructions.
Requests:
- Written clarification of the legal basis on which the IGI officer refused to process the change of address in the absence of the passport, although I presented a valid IGI permanent residence card (and EU identity document).
- Express confirmation that:
- (a) the IGI permanent residence card is sufficient for identification and for processing the change of address for EU permanent residents, or,
- if there is an additional obligation to present the passport, the exact legal basis must be indicated (act, article, paragraph).
- Remedy of the situation at the level of the competent IGI counter/service (staff instruction, acceptance of documents at a rescheduled appointment without unjustified delays).
- Communication of the response exclusively by e-mail to: mauroghiglia@gmail.com, given that I have moved from the previous address and wish to avoid the risk of losing postal correspondence (in line with Government Ordinance no. 27/2002 regarding communication of responses within the deadline).
Attached, if required:
- Copy of the permanent residence card.
Thank you for your support and I look forward to receiving your reply within the legal deadline.
Respectfully,
Ghiglia Mauro
The Inspectorate answered on 07/08/2025 with the following:
ROMANIA
MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS
GENERAL INSPECTORATE FOR IMMIGRATION
Immigration Directorate of the Municipality of Bucharest
To: Mr. Mauro Ghiglia
mauroghiglia@gmail.com
Unclassified
No. 706171/DIMB/S3/BAL
dated 07.08.2025
Copy no. 1
In reference to your electronic correspondence, registered at the Immigration Directorate of the Municipality of Bucharest under no. 706171/28.07.2025, we inform you as follows:
According to Government Decision no. 639/20.06.2007, as subsequently amended and supplemented, the General Inspectorate for Immigration is the specialized structure, with legal personality, under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which exercises its legal responsibilities for implementing Romania’s policies in the fields of migration, asylum, integration of foreigners, as well as the relevant legislation in these areas.
In this context, we bring to your attention the provisions of Article 9, paragraph 1 of Government Emergency Ordinance no. 102/14.07.2005 regarding the free movement on the territory of Romania of citizens of EU Member States, the European Economic Area, and citizens of the Swiss Confederation, republished, which stipulates:
“During their stay in Romania, EU citizens or, as the case may be, their family members, are obliged to declare to the territorially competent formation of the General Inspectorate for Immigration, within 30 days from the occurrence of the event, the following: a) any modification regarding name, surname, citizenship, and address.”
Therefore, in order for this obligation to be considered fulfilled, you must request the issuance of a new permanent residence card, simultaneously with notifying the change of address, by presenting yourself at the office of the territorially competent unit of the General Inspectorate for Immigration, in whose jurisdiction you have established your new residence.
For this purpose, you will submit an application accompanied by the following documents:
- Valid identity card/passport (original and copy);
- Permanent residence card (original and copy);
- Proof of the change, namely proof of legal ownership/tenancy of the dwelling at the address declared as your residence in Romania;
- Proof of payment of the fee of 70 lei representing the value of the residence card, payable at CEC Bank.
At the same time, in order to obtain an appointment for the issuance of the permanent residence card, it is necessary to access the online scheduling portal at https://portaligi.mai.gov.ro and electronically upload an application in this regard, together with the supporting documents mentioned above.
With respect,
Original answer:
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