Country guides
Europe
Electricity
The electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Two-pin European-style plugs are standard.
Language
The official language of Moldova is Romanian, but English will be understood in larger cities such as Chisinau.
Money
The Moldovan leu (MDL), subdivided into 100 bani, is the official currency. ATMs are plentiful in Chișinău and available in other cities, but may be scarce in rural areas. US dollars and euros are easily exchanged; pounds are less common. Moldova's economy relies heavily on cash, so notes must be in good condition. Credit cards are accepted in major hotels, but visitors should always keep their card in sight to avoid fraud.
Tipping
Tipping is increasingly common in Moldova, particularly in restaurants and bars. While a service charge may be included in the bill, an additional tip of 5 to 10 percent is generally appreciated. Taxi drivers can be rewarded for good service, with a tip of 5 to 10 percent of the fare considered appropriate. It's advisable to leave tips in cash, as not all establishments can process tips added to credit card payments.
Health
Travellers should be up to date with routine vaccination courses and boosters, which include a measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine. State medical facilities in Moldova are generally poor, with private clinics and hospitals offering a better standard of care. If visitors are involved in an accident or taken ill, it's likely they'll be taken to a state hospital. Most medical service providers in Moldova will expect cash or card payment for their services at the time of treatment, so travellers should make sure they have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation.
Safety
Visitors should take normal safety precautions in Moldova, such as keeping valuables safe and being aware of pickpockets and scam artists in major cities. Corruption is rife and visitors should be cautious of policemen demanding fines for spurious offences, or asking to see documents as a way of stealing cash. If approached in this way, visitors should offer to go with them to the nearest police station before handing over any money or documents. Guests should not leave valuables, including passports, in hotel rooms, or near the window of a hotel room when they are there.
Local customs
Visitors to Moldova should not be unduly concerned about offending locals. Moldovans are for the most part polite and friendly, and tend to go out of their way to accommodate foreigners. In the more rural areas, there's a social stigma attached to women smokers.
Travellers, and especially those who speak English, are advised to carry their passports with them at all times, as police officials in Moldova have been known to extract bribes from tourists who do not have 'proper identification' on hand.
Doing business
Business can be quite bureaucratic and old-fashioned. The country adheres to an imbedded hierarchical structure and often it's the eldest who receive the most respect in business and social meetings.
It's important to address each person according to their title followed by their surname; 'Domnul' for Mr. and 'Doamna' for Mrs. Moldovans prefer a face-to-face approach and like to strengthen personal relationships.
Appointments should be made in advance and confirmed. Although the visitor is expected to be punctual, the host may be late to arrive. Meetings are often quite formal and a general 'Western' set of old-world manners applies.
Business suits are appropriate for meetings. Moldovans dislike an overt display of achievement or exaggerated conversation. Business hours are generally 9pm to 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken at lunch.
Duty free
Travellers to Moldova may import up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, two litres of wine or spirits, five litres of beer, and perfume and gifts in amounts reasonable for personal use.
Communications
The direct dialling country code for Moldova is +373. Larger hotels provide WiFi; Moldova's coverage of superfast internet is among the best in the world.
Passport & Visa
All foreign passengers entering Moldova must hold a passport valid for at least three months beyond their intended departure date. They are required to have a return or onward ticket and should carry proof of sufficient funds to cover their expenses during their stay. Travellers must also possess the necessary travel documentation for their next destination. It's important to note that immigration officials may sometimes apply entry rules differently than those stated by travel agents or official sources, so travellers are advised to be well-prepared and verify requirements before arrival.
Entry requirements
US citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date of their arrival in Moldova. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
British citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date of their arrival in Moldova. No visa is required for British passport holders for stays of up to 90 days.
Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date of their arrival in Moldova. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date of their arrival in Moldova. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
South African citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date of their arrival in Moldova. A visa is required before arrival.
Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date of their arrival in Moldova. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date of their arrival in Moldova. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.