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Reconsider travel to Moldova due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution due to unresolved conflict.
Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Moldova due to COVID-19.
Moldova has lifted stay-at-home orders and resumed some transportation and business operations. Visit the Embassy's COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Moldova.
Exercise increased caution in:
Read the country information page.
If you decide to travel to Moldova:
Transnistria – Exercise Increased Caution
Transnistria is a breakaway region that is not under the control of the central government in Chisinau. Visitors may encounter difficulties at checkpoints along roads leading into and out of Transnistria. Taking photographs of military facilities and security forces is prohibited and may result in trouble with authorities.
The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens traveling in Transnistria as U.S. government employees have restrictions on traveling to the area.
Last Update: Reissued with updates to COVID-19 information.
6 months
1 page
Not required for stays of up to 90 days within a six-month period
None
10,000 Euros or equivalent
10,000 Euros or equivalent
103 Mateevici Street
Chisinau MD-2009
Republic of Moldova
Telephone: +(373)(22) 40-83-00
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(373)(22) 40-83-00
Fax: +(373)(22) 22-63-61
Email: ChisinauACS@state.gov
See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Moldova for information on U.S. – Moldova relations.
Visit the Embassy of Moldova website for the most current visa information.
If you are entering Moldova through the separatist region of Transnistria you must register your visit within three days of arrival at one of the following offices:
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Moldova.
Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction, and customs regulations on our websites.
Credible information indicates terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Europe. European governments are taking action to guard against terrorist attacks; however, all European countries remain potentially vulnerable to attacks from transnational terrorist organizations.
Due to allegations in 2015 that preschool employees were exploiting children for the purpose of producing pornography, U.S. Embassy personnel are currently prohibited from enrolling children in private preschool “Izvoraşul Cunoştinţelor”, strada George Meniuc No. 9, Chisinau, and the associated preschool “Casuţa din Poveşti” strada Universităţii No. 26 B, Chisinau.
Transnistria Region: A separatist regime controls the region and access to U.S. citizens is difficult. The U.S. Embassy may not be able to help if you encounter difficulties there. There are many checkpoints along roads leading into and out of Transnistria. Taking photographs of checkpoints, military facilities, and security forces is prohibited.
Crime: Reported types of crime include:
See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.
Victims of Crime: U.S. citizen victims of crime, including sexual assault, should report crimes to the local police at 112 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +(373) (22) 40-83-00. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.
U.S. citizens should be aware that there have been reports of widespread corruption in all areas of the judicial system, including case dismissals without cause. In most cases, an investigation will not proceed if the complainant leaves the country prior to full conclusion. Persons wishing to report incidents of corruption may contact the National Anticorruption Center hotline: 0 800 55555 active 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.
We can:
Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.
Tourism: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated in regard to safety inspections for equipment and facilities. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally not available outside of major cities to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.
Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.
Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.
Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.
If you are arrested, you can face extended periods, even years, in pre-trial detention.
Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs are severe, and if convicted, you can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
You should register large sums of foreign currency (equivalent of 10,000 Euros and above) and declare all valuable goods with Moldovan customs authorities when you arrive in Moldova. Failure to do so can result in confiscation, fines, and/or arrest.
For more information about customs requirements, see the Moldovan Customs webpage.
Faith-Based Travelers: See the following webpages for details:
LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Moldova. However, traditional cultural attitudes towards LGBTI individuals may result in discrimination and harassment.
See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.
Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Conditions for persons with mobility issues vary from those in the United States:
Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.
Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers.
Special Circumstances: A separatist regime controls a narrow strip of land in eastern Moldova along the Ukraine border, known as Transnistria (“Pridnestrovie”). Individuals considering doing business in Transnistria should exercise extreme caution. Many Transnistrian firms are not legally registered with Moldovan authorities, which may complicate or prevent the import or export of goods.
The government of Moldova will not recognize the validity of contracts for the privatization of firms in Transnistria without the approval of the appropriate Moldovan authorities.
The Embassy may not be able to offer consular or commercial services to U.S. citizens in Transnistria because of limited access.
Moldova is mostly a cash-only economy. Credit cards are accepted in Chisinau, and occasionally in the rest of the country, but rarely in small villages. Use your credit card with caution and protect your personal information.
Hospital accommodations are inadequate, technology is not advanced, and there may be shortages of routine medications and supplies. Pharmacies are not always stocked to Western standards, and products may not be labeled in English. Poor quality and/or counterfeit medications have been reported.
We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.
Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.
We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.
If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of Moldova to ensure the medication is legal in Moldova. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.
Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Further health information:
Road Conditions and Safety: Road conditions in Moldova are different from those in the United States.
Traffic Laws: To be safe, don’t drink alcohol before driving. The maximum legal blood alcohol content is 0.03 percent (well under the acceptable limit in the United States).
If you are stopped by traffic police for driving under the influence of alcohol and are told that you will receive a fine or will be arrested, request a blood test to confirm your actual blood alcohol level.
Public Transportation: The public transportation network is well developed but differences to keep in mind include:
See our Road Safety page for more information.
Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Moldova, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Moldova’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
Check passport expiration dates carefully for all travelers! Children’s passports are issued for 5 years, adult passports for 10 years.
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