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From Refugee to IT PFA Entrepreneur in Bucharest: The Story of Anatolii, Ukrainian Citizen with Disabilities

May 24, 2025 Reading time: 8 minutes
Anatolii, Ukrainian refugee who became an IT PFA entrepreneur

The war in Ukraine forced millions of people to leave their homes and lives, seeking safety in other countries. Among them were Anatolii and his mother, who arrived in Bucharest in early 2022. Both face physical disabilities, a reality that strengthened their bond even further, but added an immense challenge in the face of uncertainty and the need to rebuild their lives from scratch in a foreign country.

The first weeks and months were dedicated to survival and adaptation. Hosted and helped by an NGO, Anatolii and his mother began to navigate the new reality. Anatolii's greatest desire was to be able to take care of his mother, earn a living, and no longer depend exclusively on help. Although he didn't have much formal work experience, he had an ace up his sleeve: he had obtained a valuable international certificate online in networking and network security.

If you want to learn what opening a PFA in Romania entails, check out the Complete Guide to PFA Registration 2025.

A New Beginning in a Foreign World: The Burden of Starting Life Over (and the Physical Load)

Leaving your home, friends, everything you know behind because of an illegal war is an immense trauma. Doing this and ending up in a new country whose language you don't speak and whose system you don't know is overwhelming. For Anatolii, the challenge was doubled by physical disabilities, which greatly hindered movement and interaction in unfamiliar spaces. A simple trip to the store or to an institution could become an odyssey. Throughout this time, caring for his mother, who also faces mobility difficulties, was a priority.

Despite these enormous obstacles, Anatolii's desire to use his skills, to work and to provide security for his mother was stronger than any fear. His IT skills, validated by the certificate he obtained, represented the chance to regain control over his life.

The Opportunity That Emerged and the Wall of Bureaucracy: How to Register a PFA as a Foreign Citizen with Multiple Obstacles?

Through a miracle and with the constant support of the NGO that offered him shelter, Anatolii received a concrete chance: the NGO needed an IT specialist for network administration and proposed a service contract. The legal condition was that Anatolii could invoice these services, meaning he had to establish a legal form of commerce – most suitable, a PFA.

And here a new wall rose, seemingly insurmountable. How do you register a PFA in Bucharest when you're a foreign citizen (Ukrainian), "know nothing" about Romanian laws and procedures, don't speak the language well, have mobility difficulties and also need to care for your mother?

Questions crashed into each other: What documents do I need as a foreigner to register a company in Romania? Are they the same as for Romanians or are there more? How do I understand what I'm signing without speaking the language? Do I need to go to ONRC Bucharest? How do I get there? Do I need an authorized translator? Who pays for it? What does registered office mean for PFA? How do I get documents for it? It seemed like an impossible maze to navigate alone, especially with the physical and emotional burden of his situation.

More Than Services: Human and Dedicated Support from infiintarefirmebucuresti.ro

Realizing the enormous complexity of Anatolii's situation, the NGO representatives directed him to infiintarefirmebucuresti.ro, knowing they are recognized for their expertise in complex cases and human approach.

The contact with the infiintarefirmebucuresti.ro team was a decisive moment. They didn't see Anatolii as just a "case of company registration for foreigners." They listened to the entire story – the drama of war, refuge, the bond with his mother, physical challenges, the desire to work. They fully understood that they were dealing with a client who "knew absolutely nothing" about the Romanian system and needed a level of support far above standard.

The infiintarefirmebucuresti.ro team made a decision: not to treat the case only administratively, but to invest extraordinary and human effort to help a person in a vulnerable situation regain independence.

Navigating the Bureaucratic Maze Together: Simplified Steps (and Extraordinary Effort)

With infiintarefirmebucuresti.ro alongside, Anatolii was able to go through the steps toward PFA registration, steps that would have been impossible for him alone:

  • Step-by-step guidance, understandable to him: They explained simply, patiently, what PFA means for his IT activity and what the advantages are, making sure he understood the process, even though he didn't know legal terms.
  • Managing complex documents for foreigners: The team knew exactly the complete list of required documents for Ukrainian citizens (residence permit, passport, other specific documents) and guided him in preparing them, drafting all specific forms.
  • Language solution: They identified and worked closely with an authorized translator, essential for translating documents and ensuring correct communication during official interactions and signing legal declarations.
  • IT CAEN codes: They chose precise CAEN codes for the networking and IT security services he was to provide for the NGO:
  • 6210 - Custom software development activities (client-oriented software). Note: Covers custom programming, application development, software systems, video games, business applications, cybersecurity, databases, web pages, etc.
  • 6220 - Information technology consultancy and management (management and operation) of computing facilities. Note: Includes IT consulting, planning and designing information systems, managing and operating clients' information systems, support and training services.
  • 6290 - Other information technology service activities. Note: Covers various IT services, such as data recovery after disasters, personal computer installation, third-party software installation.
  • Don't know which CAEN codes to choose for your activity? See the guide for choosing CAEN codes.

  • Registered office documentation: They assisted him in preparing the documents necessary for establishing the registered office of the PFA.
  • Exceptional support effort: Here the team's dedication truly showed:
    • They traveled to meet with Anatolii in locations accessible to him.
    • They personally accompanied him to the notary for legalized translation of documents (and wherever else needed), helping him physically navigate institutions and assisting him in relations with officials, overcoming mobility and communication barriers.
    • They took complete responsibility for submitting the complete file and following the process at the Trade Registry.

"It was incredible help," Anatolii tells with emotion. "Without them, I couldn't have done anything. Not only did they know all the procedures and documents, but they were there with me physically, helped me get where I needed to go, explained everything with patience. They gave me back hope."

Are you a foreign citizen and dream of starting a business in Romania?

We know that bureaucracy can be discouraging, especially in a new country and when you "know nothing" about the system. At infiintarefirmebucuresti.ro, we specialize in providing personalized support to foreign citizens, regardless of the complexity of the situation (specific documents, language barriers, mobility difficulties). We commit to being your trusted partner on the path to entrepreneurial independence in Bucharest.

Independence and Dignity: A New Life Built with One's Own Work

Thanks to the extraordinary support received, Anatolii obtained the PFA Registration Certificate. He was able to sign the IT services contract with the NGO that had extended a helping hand, thus transforming the help received into an opportunity to contribute as well.

Now, Anatolii works legally, uses his skills to support the NGO's activity and, most importantly, can take care of his mother, ensuring them a decent living and security in Bucharest. From the status of a refugee dependent on others' goodwill, he moved to that of an independent professional, contributing to society and earning his living through his own efforts.

Entrepreneurial life is not without challenges, but Anatolii now has a solid legal foundation and feels the dignity of supporting himself. His story is proof of human resilience and the incredible power of support offered at the right moment, in the most concrete way possible.

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Conclusion

Anatolii's story is a moving testimony that even in the face of the greatest adversities – war, refugee status, physical disabilities, language barriers and total unfamiliarity with the system – the dream of independence and dignity through work can become reality.

Navigating Romanian bureaucracy was an immense obstacle, but Anatolii was not alone. infiintarefirmebucuresti.ro went far beyond a standard PFA registration service in Bucharest for foreign citizens. They provided specialized support for document complexity, managed the need for an authorized translator and, most importantly, put in extraordinary human effort, including travel and accompaniment to overcome Anatolii's physical and logistical barriers.

Are you in a similar situation?

Anatolii's story highlights that at infiintarefirmebucuresti.ro you find not only expertise in company registration in Bucharest, but also a dedicated partner, ready to invest additional time and effort to help you overcome obstacles and build your future, regardless of how difficult the starting point may seem.