Moldova marks 12 years since abolition of visa regime for travel to EU and Schengen area

The Republic of Moldova marks today 12 years since the abolition of the visa regime for travel to the European Union and the member countries of the Schengen area. The measure has been in force since 28 April 2014 for Moldovan citizens holding biometric passports.

During this period, citizens of our country have made almost 21 million trips to the Schengen area.

Our country was the first state within the Eastern Partnership to obtain a visa-free regime with the European Union. This is one of the most tangible benefits of European integration for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova – freedom of movement.

Visa-free travel has significantly facilitated people-to-people contacts and has contributed to the further strengthening of business, social, and cultural ties between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union. The possibility to travel without visas is open to all citizens holding biometric passports, including those from the left bank of the Dniester.

The authorities in Chișinău underline that Moldovans show a responsible attitude toward the freedom to travel within the European Union and the Schengen area.


“The large number of travelers to the European Union compared to the total population of the Republic of Moldova clearly illustrates the positive impact of the visa-free regime in facilitating people-to-people contacts and in contributing to the further strengthening of business, social and cultural ties between the Republic of Moldova and EU countries and the Schengen area,” announced the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.


The institution reiterated that the national authorities continue to ensure the implementation of the conditionalities that formed the basis for the liberalisation of the visa regime. In addition, the recommendations of the annual reports of the European Commission on the European Union’s Visa Suspension Mechanism are being taken into account.

The Schengen area includes 26 of the 27 member states of the European Union, with Ireland being the only exception, as well as Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.