Travel with a biometric passport! Everything you need to know to avoid any problems when traveling abroad!

Before flying anywhere, an important thing you should know or, if you already know, not forget, is as follows: the airline is not responsible for the availability, accuracy, and correctness of the necessary documents for the trip. In this regard, the airline is not liable for any losses or expenses incurred by the passenger due to non-compliance with the laws, regulations, rules, and instructions of competent state authorities.

In other words, you are left to fend for yourself.

To not miss any important details that surprisingly might return you home – you need to know who to contact with your questions. Official information about the required documents can only be obtained from the consulate of the destination country.

What is the specificity of the Schengen Zone?

If you have a biometric passport and plan to travel to the EU, you must adhere to 4 rules. Failing to comply with at least one of them, you risk being returned to the Chișinău airport, fined up to 3000 euros, and banned from entering one or another Schengen Zone country (or even banned from entering the Schengen Zone at all) for the next 5 years). In addition, the following consequences may apply to you: according to international and national legislation, you are required to pay for a return ticket if you don't have one, pay for accommodation, meals, interpreter services, phone calls, etc. In case of refusal to pay the expenses, the airline reserves the right to go to court to recover the costs associated with your transportation and service as a passenger.

Thus, when leaving Moldova, we recommend having with you:

Medical insurance for the duration of your visit;

Invitation (if applicable) or valid hotel reservation for the duration of your visit;

Money (about 50 euros per day) or other proof of funding (traveler's checks, personal credit cards, scholarships, as well as guarantee letters and invitations).

In addition to these 3 points, you may be asked for the following documents:

Confirmation of accommodation;

Confirmation from educational institutions in case of educational visits;

Contact details of the host.

What does and does not a biometric passport provide?

Since April 2014, citizens of the Republic of Moldova holding biometric passports can travel visa-free (type C) for short stays, i.e., 90 days within 6 months. This simplified regime applies to the following countries:

EU Member States, part of the Schengen Zone: Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Greece, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Malta.

EU Member States that do not have full Schengen Zone membership status: Cyprus, Croatia, Romania, and Bulgaria.

Associated countries of the Schengen Zone: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

If you want to go to the UK or Ireland, you will need a visa. These two non-Schengen countries are not covered by the visa-free regime. The "British Visa Center" is the institution required to obtain a visa to enter these two countries. It is located in Chișinău, at 49/3 Tighina Street, Office 54.

Visa-free regime does not entitle you to: work, migrate, family reunification, or study for more than 90 days. A long-stay visa - a type D visa (national visa) is required for work, migration, or study.

Where can you get a biometric passport

At any territorial office of the Public Services Agency "Registru" or at any embassy/consulate of the Republic of Moldova abroad.

How much does it cost to obtain a biometric passpor

The price depends on how urgently you need the passport. If you are willing to wait 30 days - you will pay 850 lei. If you want the passport to be handed to you within an hour - it will cost you 2980 lei. In addition to these time options, you can also choose a period of 15 days/10 days/5 days/24 hours/6 hours/3 hours. You can find a detailed price list here.

EU requirements for your biometric passport

If you want to come to the EU, keep in mind that your passport must be valid for at least another 3 months from the date of your intended return to Moldova. The document must also have been issued within the last 10 years.

How to travel if you have a regular passport?

If you are a citizen of the Republic of Moldova, have a regular (non-biometric) passport, and want to travel to the Schengen Zone, you need a visa, which you can obtain from the embassies of EU member states/Schengen Zone countries.

By the way, if you are traveling by plane, bus, or train for "tourism/vacation" purposes, you must have a round-trip ticket and a hotel reservation. Additionally, upon entry into the EU, the Border Police may ask you for the following, depending on your destination:

• Conferences/seminars/business meetings/etc.: invitation, conference/seminar/event program you plan to attend.
• Car trip: Green card - international car insurance.
• Visiting relatives/friends: contact details of the person who invited you (address, phone number) and a copy of the residence permit of the person you are visiting.
• Treatment: confirmation from the medical institution you are applying to, or a recommendation from a medical institution in Moldova for treatment at that institution.

It is very important to know that some airlines have the right to refuse to board a passenger on a flight if the passenger presents a one-way ticket and a Moldovan biometric passport.

That's all. For any questions and additional problems - do not hesitate to contact us here. Meanwhile, we wish you a PLEASANT and SAFE FLIGHT with ZBOR.MD!

BOOK your flight tickets on the website - Zbor.md!