Moldovan deputy PM in Rome signs agreement on recognition of Moldovan driving licenses in Italy

The new edition of the Agreement between Moldova and Italy on mutual recognition of driving licenses was signed in Rome on July 9, 2025. It constituting an essential step for Moldovan citizens residing in Italy.

The Agreement was signed by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Vladimir Bolea and Italy's Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, MP Edoardo Rixi.

“The document is meant to solve an old problem faced by thousands of Moldovans in the Diaspora – the inability to convert new models of driving licenses in Italy”, said the Embassy of Moldova in Italy.

Thanks to the direct involvement of the infrastructure minister, the new agreement stipulates that all Moldovan driving licenses – including those that will be issued in the future – will be automatically recognized by Italian authorities. Moreover, the procedure for updating license models will be significantly simplified: any technical change can be communicated through exchange of Verbal Notes, without requiring a full renegotiation of the bilateral agreement.

“Our task is to make Moldova connected to the European circuits, and for our citizens to feel free and dignified everywhere in the world. This is a concrete result for our citizens, achieved through sustained efforts and institutional dialogue with Italian partners. Given that Italy hosts one of the largest Moldovan communities in Europe, this agreement is not just technical, but deeply social,” said Vladimir Bolea.

In recent years, Moldovan citizens who were getting new-format driving licenses faced administrative hurdles in Italy, often having to retake exams or resort to costly solutions. The new Agreement removes these obstacles, guaranteeing equal rights and full recognition for Moldovan license holders.

This step strengthens the Moldovan-Italian bilateral relations and is also a clear proof of the Moldovan authorities' commitment to supporting the Diaspora and European integration.