Moldova marks one year since joining SEPA: lower fees and millions of euros saved

The Republic of Moldova marks one year since joining the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), during which the national payment system has undergone significant changes, with a direct impact on citizens, business environment, and external economic relations. SEPA transfers have enabled savings of millions of euros for citizens and entrepreneurs.

Joining SEPA, achieved on March 6, 2025, now allows euro transfers to be made under conditions similar to those in the European Union: faster, safer, and at significantly lower costs.

In less than a year from acceptance and just a few months after operational interconnection, SEPA has become the main channel for the Republic of Moldova’s cross-border euro payments, radically changing the way money flows to and from Europe. Transfers carried out according to European standards, available since October 6, 2025, have already generated tangible benefits for citizens, the diaspora, and the business community.

Currently, citizens can transfer money faster and at significantly lower costs between SEPA member states, while businesses benefit from more predictable conditions for trade, investment, and external economic relations.

According to NBM data, just a few months after becoming operational, 73% of euro transfers made by Moldovans were processed through SEPA, and in February 2026 this rate reached 81%.

The NBM emphasized that the transition to SEPA has generated an unprecedented economic boost, optimizing capital flows and increasing the profit margins of local companies. As a result, costs have been radically reduced, with the average fee dropping from more than 20 euros to just 1.26 euros per transaction.

As a result, savings of millions have been achieved: the more than 377,000 transfers made since Moldova’s connection to SEPA would have cost the national economy 6.6 million euros via the traditional SWIFT system. Through SEPA, costs amounted to 474,000 euros, meaning that 6.11 million euros remained in Moldovans’ budgets, the NBM reports.

In addition, companies have carried out imports worth more than 1.7 billion euros via SEPA, benefiting from the speed and simplicity of European transactions.

NBM governor Anca Dragu stressed that integration into SEPA shows that Moldova can advance rapidly when there is vision, cooperation, and trust. It is an important step toward a more connected, more competitive economy, more firmly anchored in the European space, the Governor said.


“Every euro saved becomes a resource for education, for the well-being of families, or for harnessing a local business. SEPA demonstrates that the Republic of Moldova can be competitive, connected, and credible in its relationship with international partners. Integration into SEPA strengthens the irreversible rapprochement with the European economic area. For the National Bank of Moldova, SEPA is not just the achievement of a technical objective, but a firm commitment that the benefits of European integration will be felt directly by people and by the economy,” said Anca Dragu.


SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) is the European framework that enables euro transfers between payment systems in participating countries under the same conditions of cost, security, and processing time, regardless of borders. SEPA brings together all European Union member states, as well as the United Kingdom, the countries of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City.