German passport holders can enter Moldova without a visa for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This has been the case since 2014, and nothing changed in 2026. Just show up at the airport in Chișinău with your passport and you're good to go.
Entry requirements
Requirement
Details
Status
Valid passport
Must be valid for the duration of your stay
Your German passport needs to be valid for the entire time you're in Moldova. No minimum validity beyond your departure date is required by Moldovan law, but airlines may enforce a 3-month rule — check with your carrier before flying.
Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of departure from Moldova
Immigration officers at Chișinău Airport regularly ask for proof of onward travel. A return flight to Germany or a ticket to any other country works. Without one, you risk being denied boarding or entry.
Recommended
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host invitation
Have a hotel confirmation or a letter from your host ready. Border officers sometimes ask where you're staying, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary.
Recommended
Proof of funds
Show you can support yourself
Carry at least €100–200 in cash or have a bank statement handy. Moldova rarely checks this for German passport holders, but it's a legal requirement and can be requested.
Recommended
No visa, no fee, no fuss
German passport holders don't need to apply for anything before travelling. Just show up with a valid passport and a return ticket. No visa fees, no embassy visits, no paperwork.
6-month passport validity is strictly enforced
If your passport expires within 6 months of your entry date, you will be denied boarding by the airline and refused entry at the border. Check your passport now — don't risk it.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Chișinău International Airport (KIV)
Most travellers fly into Chișinău. The airport is small and efficient. After landing, follow signs to 'Passport Control'.
2
Queue at the 'All Passports' counter
There's a single queue for all nationalities. German passports go through the same line. Wait time is usually 10–20 minutes.
3
Hand over your passport
The officer will check your passport, ask a few questions (purpose of visit, length of stay, where you're staying). Answer clearly and briefly.
4
Get your entry stamp
The officer stamps your passport with the entry date and the allowed stay (usually 90 days). That's it — you're in.
5
Collect luggage and exit
After passport control, pick up your bags from the carousel and walk through the green 'Nothing to Declare' channel if you have no goods to declare.
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost~€60 (approx. $65 USD)
For stays longer than 90 days or if visa-free is not suitable. Apply at Moldovan embassy.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1 year
Cost~€120 (approx. $130 USD)
Allows multiple entries; useful for frequent travellers. Requires proof of travel plans.
Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stayUp to 1 year
Validity1 year
Cost~€200 (approx. $215 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification. Requires sponsorship and additional documents.
work visa
Work Visa (D Visa for Employment)
1 year, renewable
~€200 (approx. $215 USD) + processing fees
For those with a job offer in Moldova. Requires a work permit from the National Employment Agency and a valid employment contract. Allows long-term residence.
student visa
Student Visa (D Visa for Studies)
Up to 1 year, renewable annually
~€200 (approx. $215 USD) + tuition fees
For enrollment in a Moldovan educational institution. Requires acceptance letter and proof of financial means. Allows part-time work with permission.
investor visa
Investor Visa (D Visa for Business)
1 year, renewable
~€300 (approx. $325 USD) + investment minimum
For individuals investing at least €100,000 in Moldova. Requires business plan and proof of funds. Leads to permanent residence after 5 years.
Other fees
Service
Cost
Stay extensionVisa-free stays cannot be extended; you must leave and re-enter if eligible.
Not available
Overstay fine per dayOverstay fines are applied at departure; maximum cap may apply but is not publicly specified.
~€10–20 per day (estimated)
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Moldova
No transit visa needed
German passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes at Chișinău International Airport, provided they remain in the international transit area.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
No exceptions needed; visa-free transit applies to all German passport holders.
No. The visa-free stay is strictly 90 days within any 180-day period. You cannot extend it while in Moldova. If you want to stay longer, you'd need to apply for a temporary residence permit at the Bureau for Migration and Asylum in Chișinău before your 90 days expire — but that's a separate process with its own requirements.
No, not for stays under 90 days. Moldova abolished the registration requirement for short-term visitors in 2019. Just keep your passport with the entry stamp as proof of legal stay.
You'll be denied entry. The 6-month validity rule is strictly enforced. Renew your passport before you travel.
Yes. Land borders are open. At the crossing, you'll go through the same visa-free process — just show your passport. Expect longer queues at busy crossings like Leușeni-Albița (Romania) or Palanca-Maiaky (Ukraine).
No separate visa is needed for Transnistria if you enter from Moldova. You can cross the border at any checkpoint with your passport. However, Transnistria is a breakaway state not recognised by Moldova — travel there is at your own risk. Register with your embassy if you plan to go.
No, it's not required by law for visa-free travellers. But it's strongly recommended. Medical costs in Moldova are low by Western standards, but a serious accident or illness can still run up bills. A basic travel insurance policy costs around €20–30 for a week.
The local currency is the Moldovan leu (MDL). Euros and US dollars are widely accepted at exchange offices in Chișinău. ATMs are common in cities. Credit cards are accepted in hotels and larger restaurants, but cash is king in rural areas and markets.
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 13, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.