Moldova travel advice

Travel Summary

• A human case of the H1N1 virus - Swine Flu - has been reported in Moldova. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its pandemic threat alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at: http://www.who.int/scr/diseases/swineflue/en/index.html has further details. You should also monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. Check Swine Flu for further information. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• We advise caution if considering travelling to Transnistria, where there is no official British representation and British consular services may be limited in their ability to help. You should consult the British Embassy, Chisinau for the most up-to-date information.
  
  
• Parliamentary elections were held on Wednesday 29 July 2009. Elections held earlier this year, on 5 April 2009, resulted in violence. During the immediate post-election period you should avoid any political rallies, demonstrations or large gatherings.
  
  
• People planning to visit Moldova should be aware of reports of increased difficulty in entering Moldova through its land borders with Romania.
  
  
• The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Moldova in 2007 and 2008 were: dealing with hospitalisations; and help in leaving the country. The Moldovan authorities are strictly enforcing penalties (including deportation) against those who overstay. See the Entry Requirements section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• You should be vigilant to petty crime, particularly in Chisinau. Leave your passport, travel documents and other valuable items in a safe place. But you should always carry a photocopy of your passport for identification purposes, as police checks are frequent.
  
  
• There are strong penalties for possession or use of drugs and avoid taking photographs of military or government installations. See the Local Laws and Customs section of this advice for more details.
  
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

You should be alert to the risk of street crime and petty theft, particularly in Chisinau, and for pickpockets and bag snatchers in crowded areas. Try not to draw attention to yourself on the streets. Credit card and ATM fraud is on the increase and you should avoid using credit/debit cards whenever possible and take precautions when using ATM’s. You should keep your valuables and passport secure in hotel safes and make sure that you carry a copy of your passport with you. It is useful to carry a small torch after dark, as street lighting is poor.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Political Situation

Parliamentary elections were held on Wednesday 29 July 2009. Elections held earlier this year, on 5 April 2009, resulted in violence. During the immediate post-election period you should avoid any political rallies, demonstrations or large gatherings.

Moldova Country Profile

Local Travel

Transnistria

Transnistria (northeast Moldova) is not under Moldovan government control and seeks independence. Since July 2006, there have been two explosions on or near public transport in the regional capital Tiraspol. While the exact motives remain unclear, there is no evidence to suggest that these attacks were linked to any terrorist group or organisation. If you are thinking of going to Transnistria, you should consult the British Embassy in Chisinau for the latest information; (tel: +373 22 225902; fax: +373 222500;25 18 69/+373 22 25 18 59; email: enquiries.chisinau@fco.gov.uk.

It is very important to avoid getting into difficulty with the Transnistrian authorities.

The Embassy will do its best to provide Consular help where needed. But in practice this will be very limited. Anyone in trouble with the Transnistrian authorities should try to telephone the Embassy in Chisinau at an early stage.

Road Travel

You should avoid driving after dark outside Chisinau. There is little street lighting, people and animals are often on the road, and road conditions are poor.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Local laws and customs

There is a zero tolerance policy in Moldova for possessing or supplying any drugs. Whilst legislation stipulates that fines are possible penalties for drug use/supply, in practice possession of even small quantities of drugs (Class B/C drugs as well as Class A) could result in long prison terms (2-5 years, 5-8 years for repeat offenders) in addition to heavy fines.

Homosexuality is not forbidden in Moldova, though the Moldovan government does not formally recognise unmarried or same-sex partners.. There is an active social and lobbying group on gay/lesbian issues in Chisinau. But public attitudes are less tolerant.

The authorities in the Transnistrian region of Moldova can be uncomfortable with visitors taking photos in Transnistria. We advise caution if taking photos of even the most normal buildings/monuments, and we advise against taking photographs of any peacekeeping or military staff/installations, which could lead to difficulty.

You should also avoid taking photos of military and government (including airports, power stations etc) facilities in Moldova more widely.

There are frequent police checks. You should carry with you at least a copy of identification documents (passport) at all times. Drivers should hold a valid international driving licence and original car/insurance documents, and should keep to speed limits.

You must obtain permission from the Moldovan Department of Monuments to bring out of the country any artwork or antiques. Failure to obtain this permission could result in the artwork or antiques being impounded and criminal charges brought.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Entry requirements

Visas

The Moldovan Government lifted the visa requirement for EU nationals on 1 January 2007. Visas are no longer required to enter Moldova if your stay is under 90 days. The Moldovan Embassy in London now issues visas.

You should check your visa after it has been issued and before travelling to ensure that it is valid for the time of the proposed visit, as there have been occasional errors resulting in fines and delays to travel plans. The Moldovan authorities are now strictly enforcing penalties (including deportation) against foreign visitors who overstay the terms of their visas. As a visitor you are allowed to spend no more than 90 days in a 6 months period in Moldova. Alternatively, you must regularise your stay by applying for a residence or work visa.

Entry into Moldova via Transnistria

Visitors entering into Transnistria overland from Ukraine (e.g. by bus or rail) should be aware that the Transnistrian border guard will not place entry stamps into passports. There are no ‘immigration controls’ in place on the internal boundary between Transnistria and Moldova proper and entry stamps will also not be placed into passports at this juncture. Visitors who enter Moldova in this way (via Transnistria) are likely to encounter problems when leaving Moldova (by air from Chisinau or overland into Romania) as their passport will show no valid entry stamp into Moldova and may potentially be deemed to have illegally entered the country. Visitors intending to enter Moldova overland from Ukraine are advised to do so at one of the internationally recognised border crossing points between Moldova (excluding the Transnistria segment) and Ukraine in the north and south of the country.

Passport validity

Before setting off you should ensure that your passport has at least six months’ remaining validity and at least one unused page.

Registration

If you arrive in Moldova by air you will automatically be registered with the local authorities. If you travel to Moldova by land you are required to register your stay if you intend to stay in private accommodation for more than three days. If you are staying in hotel accommodation then registration should be automatic. You must register with the Department of Information Technologies (address: 42 Pushkin Str. Chisinau; tel:; 504 656) or the local passport office (the British Embassy can provide you with the address of the relevant passport office for your area) within three working days. To register your stay in Moldova you must present the following documents:

• a written request for registration giving details of where your are staying, for how long and the reason for the visit;
• your passport.

Failure to register may result in fines and/or difficulties when leaving Moldova.

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration, please contact the Moldovan Embassy in London.

Health

The standard of medical care in Moldova is below that available in the UK. Non Russian/Romanian speakers may encounter difficulties in a medical emergency. The Embassy has details of English-speaking doctors.

We advise you to drink bottled water, as Moldovan tap water may cause visitors to become ill.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 8,800 adults aged 15 or over in Moldova were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.4% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Moldova and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

There have been no reported cases of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Moldova during the current series of outbreaks. But the World Health Organisation has confirmed cases elsewhere in the region.

You should read this advice in conjunction with Avian and Pandemic Influenza, which gives more detailed advice and information.

Swine Flu

A human case of the H1N1 virus - Swine Flu - has been reported in Moldova. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its pandemic threat alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at: http://www.who.int/scr/diseases/swineflue/en/index.html has further details. You should also monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. Check Swine Flu for further information. There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk.

General

Insurance

We recommend that you take out full, comprehensive insurance and make sure that this covers medical evacuation in an emergency. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Issuing replacement passports

The British Embassy in Chisinau does not issue passports. Applications for new passports are accepted in Chisinau for forwarding to the British Embassy in Bucharest for processing, but this may take up to 20 working days. If you use a courier, you will have to pay the cost.

Money

The most widely accepted foreign currencies are the US Dollar and the Euro. We recommend that you carry some Euro cash. The Euro notes should be in perfect condition or they may not be accepted. It is not always easy to exchange Sterling for the local currency. Credit cards are not widely accepted in Moldova. Moldovan Lei can be obtained from a number of ATM machines in Chisinau. However only a very limited of these ATM machines will accept ‘chip and pin’ cards. ATMs outside Chisinau will not accept ‘chip and pin’ cards.