Just landed in Chișinău? Here is everything you need in the first few hours: money, internet, documents and how to get to your hotel — brief and practical.
Money: the Moldovan leu
The official currency is the Moldovan leu (MDL). In Chișinău, cards are accepted almost everywhere — in shops, restaurants and hotels — but it is good to have a little cash for markets, public transport or small towns.
- You will find ATMs and currency exchange offices at the airport and throughout the city centre.
- Euros and dollars are easy to exchange; compare rates, especially at the exchange offices at the airport.
- In restaurants, tipping is not mandatory, but 10% is a common gesture for good service.
Mobile internet and roaming
From 1 January 2026, Moldova is part of the European Union roaming area (“Roam Like at Home”). If you have a SIM card from an EU country, you use the minutes, texts and data in your plan just as at home, within the limits set by your operator.
If you are coming from outside the EU, you can buy a local SIM card. The three operators — Orange, Moldcell and Moldtelecom — sell SIM cards for tourists, including at the airport; you need a passport to activate one.
Mobile internet also matters for meeting your driver: they usually contact you on WhatsApp right after landing.
Documents
EU citizens enter the Republic of Moldova with their ID card or passport. For other nationalities, check the visa requirements on the official websites in advance. Keep your document to hand — you will also need it at the hotel.
Transport from the airport
The airport is about 13–14 km from the centre. You have three options: a private transfer booked in advance, a car from the terminal or trolleybus 30 (7 lei, does not run at night). We compared them in detail in the guide How to get from Chișinău airport to the city centre.
A few useful things
- Time: Moldova is in the Eastern European time zone (like Romania).
- Sockets: European standard, type C/F, 230 V.
- Language: the official language is Romanian; many people also speak Russian, and in the centre young people often speak English.
- Water: for drinking, choose bottled water.
FAQ
What currency is used in Moldova?
The Moldovan leu (MDL). Cards are widely accepted in Chișinău, and currency is easy to exchange at ATMs and exchange offices, including at the airport.
Does EU roaming work in Moldova?
Yes. From 1 January 2026, Moldova is part of the “Roam Like at Home” area: you use the services in your EU plan as at home, within the limits set by your operator.
Where can I buy a Moldovan SIM card?
Orange, Moldcell and Moldtelecom sell SIM cards for tourists, including at the airport. You need a passport to activate one.
Which document do EU citizens need to enter Moldova?
Their ID card or passport.
