Summary
- We advise you to exercise normal safety precautions in Moldova.
- There is an ongoing risk of terrorism in Europe. In the past, terrorist attacks have occurred in a number of European cities.
- Exercise common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia.
- You should avoid large public gatherings and protests as they may turn violent.
- We advise you to exercise normal security precautions. The security situation in that region is unpredictable as it is not under government control.
- Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Moldova. The Australian Embassy in Russia provides consular assistance to Australians in Moldova.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- register your travel and contact details , so we can contact you in an emergency
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
Entry and exit
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. Registration is automatically carried out by passport control authorities at border crossings, except when entering through Transnistria.
If you enter Moldova through Transnistria you must register within 3 working days of arrival at the Ministry of Information, Technologies and Communication, located at 49 M. Kogalniceanu Street, Chisinau.
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.
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.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
Safety and security
Terrorism
Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
There is an ongoing risk of terrorism in Europe. In the past, terrorist attacks have occurred in a number of European cities.
Civil unrest/Political tension
You should avoid protests, demonstrations, political rallies and large public celebrations as they may turn violent.
In October 2009 a grenade was detonated during a public concert in the capital Chisinau. Approximately 40 people were injured.
Transnistria: We advise you to exercise normal security precautions. 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.
Crime
Petty crime such as pick-pocketing and bag snatching occurs, particularly in Chisinau. Criminals are known to target trains and hotel rooms. There have been cases of police officers or people posing as police officers requesting bribes, including in tourist areas.
Internet fraud, including dating and marriage scams, do occur. For more information see our International Scams page.
Money and valuables
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. Where possible use ATMs in controlled areas, such as within banks, shops and shopping centres. Keep your credit card in sight at all times when making purchases.
Make two photocopies of valuable documents 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.
Local travel
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. Driving at night should be avoided. Sharing the roads with pedestrians, farm vehicles and wandering livestock can make driving particularly hazardous. For further advice, see our road travel page.
Airline safety
There are concerns about the safety of some domestic airlines in Moldova in view of their ageing aircraft fleet.
For further information, please refer to our air travel page for information about aviation safety and security.
Laws
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.
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, child pornography, 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 and child pornography laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 25 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in child sexual exploitation while outside of Australia.
Information for dual nationals
Our Dual Nationals brochure provides further information.
Health
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..
Where to get help
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, Moscow
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.
Additional information
Natural disasters, severe weather and climate
Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
Wildlife
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.
For parents
For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with Children page.