Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Moldova depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for MoldovaEmergency Numbers
- General
- 112
- Police
- 902
- Ambulance
- 903
- Fire
- 901
Currency
- Name
- Moldovan Leu
- Code
- MDL
- Symbol
- L
Cash is king outside Chișinău. ATMs in the capital. Exchange rates at banks and exchange bureaux. Cards accepted in hotels and larger restaurants in Chișinău only.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type C, Type F
- Voltage
- 230V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
EET (UTC+2) — EEST (UTC+3) in summer
Best Time to Visit
May–June and September–October are pleasant and ideal for wine tourism. The Cricova and Mileștii Mici wine cellars (the world's largest underground wine cellar) are unmissable. October brings the annual National Wine Festival. July–August is hot.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% | Not always expected; appreciated in Chișinău's restaurants |
| Taxis | Round up | — |
| Hotels | MDL 20–50 for porters | — |
Dress Code
- Casual throughout
- Modest dress in Orthodox churches — cover shoulders and knees
- Chișinău is university-city cosmopolitan; villages are traditional
Social Etiquette
- Moldovans are quiet, modest, and genuinely warm once you show interest
- Wine is the national pride — declining a glass of homemade wine can feel like an insult
- The Orthodox Church is central to culture — respect church protocols
- Transnistria (breakaway region) is a separate de facto state — a fascinating but unusual visit; register with your embassy if going
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- Transnistria has its own entry/exit requirements and local rules — research before crossing
- Blood alcohol limit is 0.03%
- Photography of government and military buildings restricted
- LGBTQ+ relationships are not criminalised but face significant social hostility
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Romanian) | Bună ziua | BOO-nuh ZEE-wah |
| Thank you (Romanian) | Mulțumesc | mool-tsoo-MESK |
| Please (Romanian) | Vă rog | vuh ROHG |
| Cheers! (Romanian) | Noroc! | noh-ROHK |
| Wine | Vin | VEEN — the most important word in Moldova |
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