Moldova: Travel advisories regarding drone incidents, Transnistria, and the security situation

As of November 4, 2026, the safety advice for the Republic of Moldova has been updated. The domestic political situation in the country continues to be considered stable, as does the general security situation. Nevertheless, there are several points that travelers and visa applicants should be aware of before traveling, particularly regarding airspace violations by drones, the situation in Transnistria, and widespread petty crime in the capital, Chișinău.

It is particularly important to note that there have recently been repeated warnings regarding drones entering Moldovan airspace, some of which have caused property damage due to crashed drones. Such incidents can lead to temporary airport closures as well as flight diversions or delays. Travelers should regularly monitor developments before and during their trip, take warnings seriously, and, in the event of a warning, seek shelter in windowless indoor spaces, basements, or underground parking garages whenever possible, while avoiding open areas, balconies, and windows.

Travel to the Transnistria region continues to be strongly discouraged. This breakaway region, which calls itself the “Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic,” is outside the control of the Moldovan central government. There are numerous checkpoints along the access routes and within Transnistria. Since June 2026, the use of the term “Transnistria” instead of “Pridnestrovye” has also been punishable by law—including in spoken language. Anyone who nevertheless wishes to travel to this region should be aware that no immediate consular assistance from foreign missions can be guaranteed there and that photographing checkpoints or buildings of potential strategic or military significance is strictly prohibited.

In the rest of the country, organized crime is generally not noticeable to travelers; however, petty crime such as pickpocketing occurs, particularly in Chișinău and on public transportation. Travelers should keep money, identification cards, driver’s licenses, and other important documents in a safe place and, if possible, make electronic copies to facilitate the issuance of replacement documents in case of loss. Particular vigilance is advised at airports, train stations, and on buses and shared taxis. The theft of license plates—sometimes with the intent to extort money—is also reported as a problem; vehicles should be parked in guarded parking lots whenever possible.

Regarding infrastructure, it should be noted that the road network does not include any highways and is in poor condition in some areas, with road markings and lighting often missing. This leads to a significantly increased risk of accidents, which is why driving through rural areas at night is strongly discouraged. In addition, Moldova has a zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving (0.0 per mille), and the “green insurance card” is mandatory for vehicles. The country is also located in a seismically active zone, meaning that earthquakes are always a possibility.

For anyone planning a trip to Moldova despite these warnings—or who must travel there for business or personal reasons—careful preparation of travel documents remains essential. Our application form makes it easy to compile the necessary visa documents, and the overview of all visa types provides travelers with relevant information on the respective entry requirements. Given the volatile situation surrounding drone incidents and the tense situation in Transnistria, it is advisable to plan your trip flexibly and to factor in the possibility of last-minute changes to the security situation.