11 Years of Visa-Free Travel for Moldova
Today marks the 11th anniversary of Moldova gaining visa-free travel to the European Union and the Schengen Area. On April 28, 2014, Moldova became the first Eastern Partnership country to benefit from a liberalized visa regime, allowing citizens with biometric passports to travel short-term without a visa, CE Report quotes MOLDPRES
The visa-free regime is seen as one of the most tangible benefits of Moldova’s European integration, enhancing personal, business, social, and cultural ties. It also extends to citizens from the left bank of the Dniester.
According to Moldova’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, since 2014, over 2.6 million Moldovans have traveled to the EU more than 18 million times. Despite a drop during the COVID-19 pandemic, travel numbers have since rebounded, nearing pre-pandemic levels. In 2024 alone, over 1 million Moldovans made nearly 2.5 million visits to the Schengen Area.
Rates of entry refusals and illegal stays remain low, reflecting responsible use of travel freedoms. The Moldovan authorities continue to meet EU requirements tied to maintaining the visa-free regime.
The Schengen Area currently includes 26 EU states (excluding Ireland) along with Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
