Moldovan Governor at BNM 2025 – European Momentum Conference

In just 60 days since the Republic of Moldova joined the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), the platform has become the main channel for euro payments, with over 130,000 transactions processed, representing 62% of the total number. At the same time, joining SEPA has generated direct savings of about 2.38 million euros in just two months. The figures were presented by Governor of the National Bank of Moldova (BNM) Anca Dragu at the high-level conference BNM 2025 – European Momentum: A Year of Progress and Integration.

The event is dedicated to the year 2025 and the key stages of the Republic of Moldova's integration into the European financial architecture, bringing together high officials from national and European authorities, representatives of financial institutions, economic experts, and international partners. The conference provides a platform for dialogue on modernizing financial infrastructure and its direct impact on the economy and society.

The conference agenda includes speeches by national and European authorities, thematic presentations, and discussion panels dedicated to payment infrastructure, European financial integration, and the development prospects of digital financial services in the Republic of Moldova.

'Decision to include the Republic of Moldova in the SEPA geographical area was a milestone for our financial system. In just 60 days since joining SEPA, this SEPA payment platform has become the main channel for euro payments, surpassing the SWIFT network. Out of about 208,000 cross-border transactions, over 130,000 were processed through SEPA, accounting for 62% of the total. In November, the second month of operation and the first full month, this share was even over 70%,' declared Anda Dragu, in her message at the conference opening.

The BNM Governor stressed that the economic impact of joining SEPA is significant and immediate, with direct savings of approximately 2.38 million euros in just two months and commissions more than 12 times lower.

'If these transactions had been conducted through the classic SWIFT channel, the cost for the economy would have been about 2.6 million euros. In reality, the fees paid were 220,000 euros, more than 12 times less. By joining SEPA, we achieved direct savings of approximately 2.38 million euros in just two months. These figures exceed our estimates, and we are now in the process of recalibrating the evaluation for the impact over an entire year,' noted Anca Dragu.

At the same time, the average cost of a transfer decreased from at least 20 euros to 1.69 euros.

'We can say today that international bank transfer to Europe is no longer a luxury product but an accessible utility for citizens and companies. Individuals have quickly adopted SEPA for remittances and family transfers. We have nearly 69,000 receipts worth 92 million euros. Companies have made payments through SEPA of 678 million euros, reducing costs and becoming more competitive for European markets. Compared to last year, cross-border activity increased by 49% in terms of transactions and 35% in terms of value,' added the BNM Governor.

Anca Dragu highlighted that SEPA becomes a tangible symbol of the Republic of Moldova's connection to Europe.

'SEPA is not just a technical concept but becomes a tangible symbol of the Republic of Moldova's connection to Europe, a link built through cooperation, trust, and common vision. SEPA is not a final destination but a new beginning. A beginning of cheaper payments, a more competitive economy, and a better-connected Moldova to Europe,' concluded Anca Dragu.

Present at the event, Deputy Radu Marian, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Economy, Budget, and Finance, declared that the year 2025 was marked by joining SEPA and congratulated the BNM for the Olympic speed with which it managed to prepare the technical file for this process.

'We are all in a European momentum that we must harness. Beyond SEPA, I want to congratulate the BNM for the extraordinary efforts in launching the MIA instant payment system, which was a kind of silent revolution. The Republic of Moldova has indeed gone through a 'silent revolution'. 800,000 citizens already use MIA. It is important to do everything we can for the financial inclusion of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova,' said Radu Marian.

During the conference, the BNM governor announced the launch of a commemorative coin Moldova in Single Euro Payments Area, 2025. The coin is minted in silver, has a nominal value of 100 lei, and a mintage of 2,500 units. The author of the graphic design is Eugeniu Boico, a professor at Moldova State University and creator of the 'Tree of Life', the country's tourism brand.

The Republic of Moldova initiated the SEPA accession process on January 30, 2024, and on March 6, 2025, the European Payments Council approved the country's inclusion in the SEPA geographical area. The operational connection, completed on October 6, 2025, marks the completion of this process and allows citizens and businesses access to fast, efficient, and competitive payment services, in accordance with European standards.