Risk level

Safety and security

Transnistria

Transnistria is a separatist region, located in eastern Moldova along the Ukrainian border, which is not under Moldovan government control. The security situation may be unstable and unpredictable, particularly since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In late April 2022, several explosions occurred in the region. There is a risk of armed conflict. The situation could deteriorate rapidly.

Avoid all travel to Transnistria.

If you are currently there, you should leave immediately. You should also expect checkpoints and long delays on the roads between this region and the rest of Moldova.

Our ability to provide consular services in this area is severely limited.

If you choose to remain in Transnistria despite this advisory:

• monitor trustworthy news sources to stay informed on the evolving situation
• follow the instructions of local authorities
• ensure that your passport and other travel documents are secure at all times
• maintain a supply of basic food, water and medications
• review your personal security plans on a daily basis
• inform a family member or friend of your whereabouts
• register and update your contact information through the Registration of Canadians Abroad service and encourage other Canadian citizens in Moldova to do so

Crime

Petty crime such as pickpocketing and purse snatching occurs, particularly in the capital, Chisinau. Common targets for criminal activity include public transportation, hotels, bars, restaurants and other public areas.

Violent crime, such as assault, occurs against foreigners as well.

• Ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times
• Always leave your valuables in a hotel safe
• Avoid showing signs of affluence and carrying large sums of cash
• Do not leave your train compartment unattended, and ensure that the door is secured from the inside
• Do not travel alone after dark

Organized crime

Organized crime is widespread. Criminal groups often operate in casinos and nightclubs.

Terrorism

There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorist attacks have occurred in a number of European cities. There is a potential for other violent incidents.

Targets could include:

• government buildings, including schools
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places.

Fraud

Credit card and automated teller machine (ATM) fraud occurs. Be cautious when using debit or credit cards:

• pay careful attention when your cards are handled by others;
• use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business;
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature;
• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN; and
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements.

Beware of Internet fraud and scams, which can range from product purchases to Internet romances.

There have been incidents of police, or people posing as police, requesting bribes.

Overseas fraud

Spiked food and drinks

Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances, as the items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations occur from time to time, particularly in Chisinau. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Road safety

Roads are poorly maintained and most are not well lit. Poor signage and a lack of maintenance pose risks as well as farm vehicles, livestock and other similar hazards. It is common to see tractors, bicyclists, horse-drawn carts, pedestrians and livestock on the same road.

Moldovan drivers are aggressive. Drinking and driving is prevalent and accidents are common. Be cautious when crossing streets, as drivers do not always give pedestrians the right of way.

Avoid driving after dark.

Public transportation

Taxis

Only use licensed marked taxis, including at the airport. Establish a rate or a fixed price before starting the journey to avoid excessive fees.

• Avoid flagging taxis on the street
• Don’t share taxis with strangers

Minibus

Minibus accidents are common. Most of the public transportation vehicles are old and overcrowded.

Trains

Trains are often unheated and prone to cancellation.

Air travel

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Entry and exit requirements

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Moldovan authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave from Moldova.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Visas

Tourist visa: not required for up to 90 days per 6-month period
Business visa: not required for up to 90 days per 6-month period
Student visa: not required for up to 90 days per 6-month period

Entry from Transnistria

If you enter Moldova from the Transnistrian segment of the Moldova-Ukraine border, you must register within 72 hours of crossing into Moldova at:

• any branch of the Centre for State Information Resources “Registru”; or
• any branch of the Bureau for Migration and Asylum (Ministry of Internal Affairs).

These offices will not stamp your passport, but will give you a registration document, which you will need when leaving Moldova. If you fail to legally register with the Republic of Moldova, you could face significant issues when trying to leave the country.

There are frequent checkpoints in Transnistria, but these are not border control points.

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Health

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your routine vaccinations, as per your province or territory, are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette, which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•  washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Medical services and facilities

Good health care is limited and medical supply shortages are common. Labels on medication are not in English or French.

Medical evacuation, which can be very expensive, may be necessary in the event of serious illness or injury.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

Laws and culture

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

Transfer to a Canadian prison

Canada and Moldova are signatories to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. This enables a Canadian imprisoned in Moldova to request a transfer to a Canadian prison to complete a sentence. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Moldova authorities.

This process can take a long time, and there is no guarantee that the transfer will be approved by either or both sides.

Identification

You must carry photo identification, such as a passport, as police are entitled to request it at any time. If you fail to produce proper identification when requested to do so by authorities, you could face detention or fines.

Keep a photocopy of your passport in a safe place in case it’s lost or confiscated.

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Moldova.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Moldova, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements.

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Moldova.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Moldova, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Moldovan court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Moldova to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

Useful links

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• The Hague Convention - Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Photography

Photography of military installations, checkpoints or government buildings is prohibited and could result in detention or even arrest.

Drugs

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy prison sentences and heavy fines.

Useful link

• Drugs, alcohol and travel

2SLGBTQI+ travellers

Although the laws of Moldova do not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex, negative attitudes towards homosexuality are prevalent.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Driving

You should carry an international driving permit.

International Driving Permit

You can drive with an International Driving Permit for up to 90 days after your arrival in the country. Residents must have a Moldovan driver’s licence. You will also need:

• proof of valid insurance;
• passport; and
• if you are not the owner, written permission from the vehicle’s owner.

You must carry in your car a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a warning triangle.

The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.03%.

Imports and exports

Strict regulations are in place regarding the export of antiques, artwork and items of historical Moldovan significance. If you purchased any works of art or antiques, confirm with the Moldovan Department of Monuments if you may leave Moldova with these items before attempting to leave. Proof of the approval may be requested at the point of departure. Heavy fines or charges may be imposed if you fail to provide proof of approval to export.

Money

The currency is the Moldovan leu (MDL). Euros are accepted.

Credit cards are increasingly being accepted, but the economy is primarily cash-based.

Local currency ATMs are available in Chisinau, but only a few accept foreign bank cards.

Natural disasters and climate

Moldova is in an active seismic zone. The region is prone to earthquakes.

There is a risk of flooding and landslides during the Spring and Fall seasons.