Moldova to introduce new models of passports, travel documents

Moldova in 2026 will put into circulation new models of passports and travel documents. A draft decision to this effect today was approved by the members of the cabinet of ministers.

The new documents are distinguished by advanced security elements against counterfeiting and forgery and are aligned with international trends, standards and requirements for machine-readable travel documents.

"Taking into account that the last update of the security elements and personalization technologies for diplomatic passports, service passports, and travel documents for stateless persons, refugees, and beneficiaries of humanitarian protection took place more than a decade ago, being put into circulation on June 1, 2015, the modernization of the security elements, the electronic data storage environment and the personalization technology is an imperative necessity to ensure that these documents comply with international requirements in the field," the explanatory note to the draft reads.

Thus, in order to ensure the protection of the holders’ personal data and global interoperability, Moldova periodically introduces into circulation new models of passports and travel documents, improved in terms of security and design elements, information security and measures to protect the holders’ personal data.

The introduction of the new models of passports and travel documents will bring full compliance of the documents with the security and formatting requirements laid down in European and international regulations. They will also improve interoperability, in order to ensure easier recognition and verification of documents at borders, including through the use of automated gates (e-gates).

This decision enters into force on the date when the technical conditions necessary for issuing the new passport models are met, but no later than December 31, 2026.