Go with a plan.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Moldova
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go with a plan.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Internet Dating Schemes
Scammers target foreigners seeking romance online. These financial scams are common, though average backpackers are generally not at risk unless they are specifically pursuing a Russian bride.
Police Extortion
Corrupt officers may arrest foreigners for minor or fictional offenses to pressure them into paying a bribe. Carry a passport photocopy and be aware that this usually occurs after actual illegal behavior.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Religious Dress Code
Conservative dress is mandatory at religious sites. Shorts are forbidden, and women are required to cover their heads inside churches and monasteries.
Passport Requirement
Foreigners are legally required to carry their passports at all times. While checks are rare in normal settings, you should always have at least a high-quality photocopy on your person.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Measles
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles, Rabies, Tick-borne Encephalitis
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
The Government of the Republic of Moldova allows citizens of specific countries/territories to visit Moldova for tourism or business purposes without having to obtain a visa, often based on bilateral agreements. Citizens of other countries must obtain a visa from the embassy of their residence country or online eVisa. All visitors must hold a passport (or machine-readable national ID Card for EU, Icelandic, Liechtensteiner, Monégasque, Norwegian, Sammarinese, Swiss and Turkish citizens) valid fo
Passport validity required: 3 months beyond entry.
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Although there is no recent history of terrorism in Moldova, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Source: UK FCDO →Real, not invented
Cultural & legal notes
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is not illegal in Moldova, but the Moldovan government does not formally recognise same-sex partners. There is an active social and lobbying group on gay and lesbian issues in Chisinau. Public attitudes are less tolerant and showing affection in public can receive unwanted attention. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .
Source: UK FCDO →Right now
In the news the last few days
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
C / F · 230V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 112 / ambulance: 112 / fire: 112
Tipping
Moldovans are not accustomed to tipping.
Cash vs. Card
The leu (plural: lei) is the currency of Moldova (ISO 4217 code MDL) . Like the Romanian leu, the Moldovan leu is subdivided into 100 bani (singular: ban). The name of the currency originates in Romania, and means "lion".
Zoom in
One Moldova city on SKETCH.WORLD
Real, resident-submitted Numbeo crime data at the city level — the same national picture above, with crime swapped for what people who actually live there report.
Show the receipts (8 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- cdc-health — observed 2026-09-09
- reddit — observed 2026-09-09
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-09-09