smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Moldova
| Moldova overall | This Advice is current for Saturday, 04 July 2009. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| Transnistria | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Safety and Security: Civil Unrest/Political Tension (political protests) and Local Travel (need to provide ID). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
![[top]](/zwiki/images/page_top.gif)
Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
Parliamenatary elections will be held on 29 July 2009. Following elections held on 5 April 2009, there have been street demonstrations and protests in Chisinau. Some protests have become violent.
You should avoid protests, demonstrations, political rallies and large public celebrations as they may turn violent.
Transnistria: We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Transnistria. The security situation in that region is unpredictable as it is not under government control. Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
Petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching occurs, particularly in the capital, Chisinau. Criminals are known to target trains and hotel rooms.
Internet fraud, including dating and marriage scams, is on the increase.
There have been reports of local police requesting bribes. If asked to pay any penalty or fine, you should demand to contact the Embassy.
Foreigners can be subject to frequent document inspections requiring presentation of current passports and visas. You should carry at least a copy of your passport at all times. Failure to provide identity documents may result in detention or a fine.
Roads are poorly maintained and street lighting is rare. Sharing the roads with pedestrians, farm vehicles and wandering livestock can make driving particularly hazardous. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
There are concerns about the safety of some domestic airlines in Moldova in view of their ageing aircraft fleet.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. The economy in Moldova is cash based and travellers' cheques and credit cards are only accepted in some of the major hotels. There are very few automatic teller machines (ATM) outside of the capital. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas. Be careful when using ATMs as there have been unauthorised withdrawals after using electronic banking facilities in Moldova.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering and theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling Parents brochure.
Children travelling alone or with one parent/guardian will require a letter of consent for travel signed by both parents.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
When you are in Moldova, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
You are required to carry identity documentation (at least a copy of your passport) at all times. Failure to produce appropriate documentation to police upon request may result in detention and fines.
Possession or trafficking of illegal drugs can result in severe penalties, including long jail sentences and heavy fines.
Driving with a blood alcohol level greater than zero is an offence.
Foreigners have been questioned and detained for photographing military facilities, government buildings and other infrastructure.
There are strict regulations covering the export of antiques, artworks (including modern art and even posters if they are particularly rare or valuable) and items of historical significance from Moldova. An approval from the Moldovan Department of Monuments is required for the export of such material and this may be requested at the point of departure. We recommend you keep receipts of any such purchases in case they are requested at your point of departure.
Homosexuality is not illegal but is not widely accepted in Moldovan society.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.
Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Moldova for the most up-to-date information.
Visitors to Moldova must register at the port of entry. If arriving by air, visitors should register at the airport. If arriving by car or train, then visitors should register at the border crossing.
Entry to Transnistria can be difficult. There are numerous checkpoints along the routes into and out of Transnistria.
You should check your visa after it has been issued, and before travelling, to ensure it is valid for the time of the proposed visit. There have been occasional errors resulting in fines and delays to travel plans.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity and carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed cases of H1N1 Influenza 09 in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the WHO website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on H1N1 Influenza 09."
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Travelling Well brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
Medical facilities in Moldova are limited and there are frequent shortages of medical supplies. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities may be necessary. Medical evacuation costs would be considerable.
Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis, measles and rabies) are prevalent, with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes. You should also avoid unpasteurised dairy products and raw and undercooked food.
Travel in forested areas brings the risk of exposure to tick-borne encephalitis and other tick-borne diseases. Ticks are common from spring to autumn. We recommend you take precautions against being bitten by ticks and use insect repellent.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Moldova. You can obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian Embassy which is in Russia:
Australian Embassy
Podkolokolny Pereulok 10a/2
Moscow, RUSSIA
Telephone + 7 (495) 956-6070
Facsimile + 7 (495) 956-6170
Website: www.russia.embassy.gov.au
If you are travelling to Moldova, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency, if you are unable to contact the above Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
