Planning a trip to the historic and beautiful country of Moldova requires careful preparation, especially when it comes to travel insurance for Moldova. This guide will provide a clear, up-to-date overview of the mandatory requirements, safety considerations, and the best insurance options for your journey. Whether you’re visiting the wine cellars of Cricova, exploring the capital city of Chișinău, or venturing to the Orheiul Vechi monastery complex, understanding your insurance obligations is essential for a smooth entry and a protected trip.
At RiskGuarder, we’ve analyzed the official entry requirements, synthesized guidance from multiple government sources, and evaluated the insurance landscape to bring you this comprehensive briefing. Our analysis is based on the official RiskGuarder Review Methodology, which prioritizes data-driven insights and consumer protection above all else.
Your At-a-Glance Travel Briefing for Moldova
Before we dive into the details, here’s what every traveler needs to know:
Is Travel Insurance Mandatory? Yes, for many visitors. Moldova requires proof of travel medical insurance for entry, particularly for those needing a visa. Even visa-exempt travelers are strongly advised to carry proof of coverage, as border officials may request it.
The Minimum Coverage Requirement: Your policy must provide at least €30,000 in medical coverage. This is the standard requirement for the region and aligns with Schengen visa insurance standards, which Moldova follows for consistency.
The Safety Context: Due to Moldova’s proximity to Ukraine and the ongoing geopolitical situation in Eastern Europe, it’s crucial to have a policy that includes medical evacuation coverage and carefully review any war or conflict exclusions for the region.
The Best Option: A comprehensive travel insurance plan from a reputable international provider that meets the €30,000 minimum, offers robust medical and evacuation coverage, and provides 24/7 emergency assistance in English.
This Guide Covers: Entry requirements by nationality, current safety considerations, the five essential coverage points for your policy, where to purchase compliant insurance, and answers to the most common questions we receive about traveling to Moldova.
Table of Contents
Moldova’s Entry Requirements: Is Travel Insurance Mandatory for You?
Okay, so whether you need insurance depends on where you’re from and whether you need a visa. Let me explain…
For Visa-Required Nationalities
Alright, if you’re from a country that requires a visa for Moldova, then insurance isn’t optional—it’s mandatory, full stop. When you apply for your visa through places like VFS Global Moldova (they handle visa stuff for a bunch of countries), they’ll literally reject your application if you don’t include proof of insurance.
And it’s not just any insurance—it has to cover the entire time you’ll be there and meet that €30,000 medical coverage minimum we talked about. You’ll need to submit the insurance paperwork along with your passport, photos, hotel bookings, and all that other visa application stuff. No insurance certificate? No visa. It’s that simple.
The certificate needs to spell everything out clearly: how much coverage you have, when it’s valid, and that it covers medical expenses and getting you home if something really bad happens.
For Visa-Exempt Nationalities
So if you’re from the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, or a few other places, you can waltz into Moldova without a visa for up to 90 days. Sweet, right? But here’s the thing—that doesn’t mean you can skip the insurance.
Even though you don’t need to show insurance for a visa application, border officials at the airport or land crossings can still ask to see it when you arrive. Does this happen to everyone? Nope. But it happens often enough that showing up without insurance is basically gambling with your entire trip. You could get turned away at the border, or at the very least, you’ll be stuck answering a bunch of questions while everyone else breezes through.
Plus—and this is the really important part—both the UK Foreign Office and the US State Department are pretty insistent that you should have comprehensive travel insurance for Moldova. And they’re not just being annoying bureaucrats here. They’re saying this because the healthcare situation in Moldova is… well, let’s just say it’s not what you’re used to back home.
Understanding the €30,000 Coverage Standard
I know, right? But there’s actually a good reason for this number. It’s become the standard across Eastern Europe and matches what you need for a Schengen visa. Moldova isn’t in the Schengen zone, but they’ve adopted the same requirement to keep things consistent with their neighbors and to make sure visitors have enough coverage if something goes seriously wrong.
This €30,000 has to specifically cover emergency medical stuff—hospital stays, surgery, emergency dental work, medications, all that. It should also include medical evacuation (getting you to a better hospital) and repatriation (getting your body home if the worst happens—sorry, dark but important).
Here’s a pro tip: some policies advertise big total coverage numbers but only give you like €10,000 for medical expenses. That doesn’t count! Make sure the medical coverage specifically hits that €30,000 mark.
When you’re buying your policy, double-check that the certificate actually states the medical coverage amount in euros. Some companies use dollars or pounds, which is fine as long as it equals at least €30,000. Right now, that’s roughly $32,000 USD or £26,000 GBP, but exchange rates change, so verify when you’re booking.
What Should Your Policy Actually Cover?
So that €30,000 needs to cover all the important stuff: hospital stays, surgeries, emergency dental work (because toothaches don’t care that you’re on vacation), and prescription meds. It should also cover medical evacuation and repatriation—which, I know, sounds morbid, but these are actually the most expensive parts if something goes really wrong.
Here’s a sneaky thing some insurance companies do: they’ll advertise a policy with €30,000 in coverage, but when you read the fine print, that’s for trip cancellation, and medical is only like €10,000. That doesn’t fly with Moldova’s requirements, so watch out for that.
When you’re buying your policy, make sure the certificate actually says the medical coverage amount in euros. Some companies use dollars or pounds, which is totally fine as long as it adds up to at least €30,000. Right now that’s about $32,000 or £26,000, but exchange rates bounce around, so double-check when you’re booking.
Safety & Health in Moldova: Why the Right Insurance Matters
Okay, before you pick a policy, we need to have a real talk about what’s actually going on in Moldova right now. It’s not scary or anything, but there are some things you should know that affect what kind of insurance you need.
The Official Government Advisory Perspective
So the UK Foreign Office has this whole travel advice page for Moldova (definitely worth a read before you go), and they’re pretty clear: get comprehensive travel and medical insurance. Why? Because medical facilities are kinda limited, especially once you leave the capital.
Here’s the deal: Chișinău (the capital) has some decent private clinics that can handle basic stuff. But if you need specialized treatment or serious surgery? You’re probably getting evacuated to a neighboring country or back to Western Europe. And those private clinics in the capital? They want cash upfront or proof of insurance before they’ll treat you. No insurance means you’re potentially stuck negotiating payment while you’re, you know, having a medical emergency. Not fun.
The US State Department basically says the same thing. They point out that ambulances there aren’t quite what we’re used to, and a lot of medications you can easily get at home might not be available in Moldovan pharmacies. So yeah, comprehensive coverage isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s actually essential.
The Geopolitical Context and Regional Stability
Okay, so we can’t ignore the elephant in the room. Moldova shares a border with Ukraine on three sides, and obviously, there’s a war going on there. Moldova itself isn’t involved in the conflict, but the proximity means you need to be extra careful about your insurance policy.
Some insurance companies have started adding exclusions for anything related to regional instability or conflicts. You need to make absolutely sure your policy doesn’t have some clause that voids coverage because of what’s happening next door.
Oh, and here’s another thing: Moldova has this breakaway region called Transnistria that’s basically its own thing (it’s complicated). The UK Foreign Office says don’t go there, period. And guess what? Your insurance definitely won’t cover you if you do. So if you’re planning to get anywhere near that border, make sure your policy doesn’t have blanket exclusions for “regions with government travel advisories.”
When you’re buying insurance, just straight-up ask: “Does this cover Moldova given the current situation? Are there any exclusions related to Ukraine or regional instability?” And get the answer in writing—like, save that email. If their website is vague about it, push for clarification.
Healthcare Infrastructure and Medical Evacuation Needs
Here’s the thing about Moldova’s healthcare: it’s fine for everyday stuff, but if something serious happens, you’re probably leaving the country for treatment. Chișinău has some private clinics that can stabilize you and handle routine issues, but they don’t have the advanced facilities you’d find in Western Europe for complex surgeries, intensive care, or specialized treatments.
If you have a serious accident or medical emergency, you’ll likely be evacuated to Romania, Turkey, or a Western European country. And medical evacuation by air ambulance? We’re talking $50,000 to $150,000 depending on where you’re going and how sick you are. Even ground ambulance evacuation to Romania costs thousands.
Without evacuation coverage, you’re either paying that massive bill yourself or taking your chances with local facilities that might not be equipped to handle your situation. And this isn’t some hypothetical scenario—this happens to dozens of travelers every year.
Your Moldova Insurance Checklist: 5 Must-Have Coverage Points
Alright, we’ve put together this checklist based on Moldova’s actual requirements, what’s happening in the region right now, and what travelers actually deal with on the ground. Don’t just grab the cheapest policy you find on Google. Make sure it has these five things:
✅ At Least €30,000 in Emergency Medical Coverage (This Is Non-Negotiable)
This is your baseline—you literally can’t enter the country without it. Your policy needs to say, in plain language, that it covers at least €30,000 for emergency medical expenses. That includes hospital stays, emergency surgery, doctor visits, tests, medications, and emergency dental work if you’re in serious pain.
Here’s where you need to read carefully: make sure that €30,000 is specifically for medical expenses, not the total policy limit that includes stuff like trip cancellation or lost luggage. Some policies advertise huge coverage numbers but bury the medical coverage way down in the fine print.
Also, you want “primary” coverage, which means it pays first without making you file claims with your regular insurance back home first. “Secondary” coverage makes you jump through hoops with your domestic insurance before it kicks in, which is a nightmare when you’re dealing with an emergency abroad.
✅ Medical Evacuation & Repatriation (Super Important Given the Hospital Situation)
Given everything we just talked about with Moldova’s healthcare, evacuation coverage might actually be more important than the basic medical coverage. You want at least $100,000 in evacuation coverage, but honestly, $250,000 or more is better.
This should cover getting you to the nearest good hospital AND, if necessary, getting you all the way home for continued treatment. The key thing is that the insurance company’s team decides when evacuation is necessary, not you trying to argue with them from a hospital bed.
Repatriation coverage is also important (sorry to be dark here), but if the worst happens, this ensures your family doesn’t have to deal with the nightmare of bringing you home on their own. You want at least $50,000 for this.
✅ Trip Cancellation & Interruption Coverage (Protect Your Investment)
Okay, this one isn’t required to get into Moldova, but hear me out. Even though Moldova is pretty affordable compared to Western Europe, you’ve still got flights, hotels, and tours that add up. Trip cancellation coverage means you get your money back if you have to cancel before you leave for covered reasons—like getting sick, a family emergency, natural disasters, that kind of thing.
Trip interruption coverage reimburses you for the unused part of your trip plus extra transportation costs if you have to come home early.
Given everything happening in the region, you might want to consider “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage as an add-on. It usually gives you back 50-75% of your costs if you cancel for literally any reason—even if you just get cold feet about traveling there. It costs extra, but it gives you maximum flexibility if you start feeling uncomfortable about the trip.
✅ 24/7 Emergency Assistance in English (You’ll Want This If Things Go Wrong)
Imagine having a medical emergency in a country where you don’t speak the language. Yeah, not fun. You need a policy that gives you 24/7 access to people who speak English and actually know how the medical system works in Moldova.
These assistance folks should help you find the right medical care, talk to local hospitals and doctors, arrange for the hospital to bill the insurance directly, coordinate evacuation if you need it, and provide translation services. The good companies have actual relationships with medical facilities in Moldova and can get things moving fast without you having to figure it all out yourself.
Make sure the hotline is really 24/7—not just “business hours in New York” or whatever. Check if it’s toll-free from Moldova or if you’ll need to make an international call (which could be tricky in an emergency). Save that number in your phone before you leave, and print it out to keep in your wallet too.
✅ No Exclusions for Travel Advisories (This Is Critical Right Now)
This is where you really need to dig into the fine print. A lot of insurance policies have clauses that basically say “we won’t cover you if your government has issued any kind of travel warning for where you’re going.” Given Moldova’s location and the Ukraine situation, you need to make absolutely sure your policy will still cover you.
Look for language about “travel warnings,” “government advisories,” “war and terrorism,” and “civil unrest” in the exclusions section. Some policies only exclude the most serious warnings (like “Do Not Travel”), while others won’t cover you if there’s any advisory at all.
If the policy language is confusing (and let’s be honest, it usually is), call the insurance company and ask directly: “If the State Department has a Level 2 or Level 3 advisory for Moldova, am I still fully covered?” Get their answer in writing via email, and save that email. Bring a copy with you on your trip.
Where to Buy Compliant Travel Insurance for Moldova: Your 3 Best Options
Okay, so now you know what you need. Where do you actually buy it? We’ve looked at the market, and you’ve basically got three options. Here’s the breakdown:
Option 1: Online Travel Insurance Specialists (Recommended for Most Travelers)
For most travelers, your best bet is going with specialized online platforms like Insubuy or VisitorsCoverage. These sites focus specifically on international travel insurance and actually understand all these country-specific requirements we’ve been talking about.
The cool thing about these platforms is you can compare a bunch of different policies side-by-side, filtering by coverage amounts, features, and price. Their comparison tools usually let you filter specifically for policies that meet Moldova’s €30,000 minimum, and their customer service people actually know what they’re talking about when it comes to regional coverage and exclusions.
The policies you’ll find on these platforms are usually backed by major insurance companies with solid financial ratings (we’re talking A.M. Best ratings of A or higher, which means they’re financially strong and can actually pay claims). Just make sure you’re paying attention to who’s actually underwriting the policy, not just the platform selling it.
Read through the policy documents before you buy, and don’t be shy about using their customer service if you have questions. That’s what they’re there for.
Option 2: Major Global Insurance Carriers
Companies like Allianz, AIG Travel, and AXA all offer travel insurance that’ll meet Moldova’s requirements. The advantage here is that these are huge, established companies with networks all over the world, relationships with medical providers everywhere, and solid financial backing.
Allianz, for example, consistently gets strong ratings and has a good reputation for actually processing claims when you need them. They score well in customer satisfaction studies for things like clear policy information and decent customer service.
These big companies usually offer different plan levels—basic, mid-tier, and comprehensive. For Moldova, I’d recommend at least going with their mid-tier plan to make sure you’ve got good evacuation coverage. Yeah, it might cost more than some budget option, but you’re paying for the peace of mind that comes with a financially solid company that has its claims-processing stuff together.
Option 3: Local Moldovan Insurance Providers
If you’re planning to stay in Moldova for several months or you’re moving there, local companies like General Asigurări or Moldasig are an option. They know the local healthcare system inside and out, have relationships with medical facilities there, and their customer service understands the local situation.
But here’s the thing: for short-term tourists, Local providers have the advantage of deep familiarity with Moldova’s healthcare system, established relationships with local medical facilities, and customer service teams that understand the local context. Their policies typically meet the €30,000 minimum requirement and can be purchased in person at offices in Chișinău or through their websites.
We’d only recommend going local if you’re staying for months, you speak Romanian or Russian, and you’re comfortable dealing with the local healthcare system without much external support. For a typical two-week vacation? Stick with the international providers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Insurance for Moldova
Is travel insurance mandatory for Moldova if I’m from the United States?
Okay, so here’s the deal: you don’t technically need a visa if you’re staying less than three months, but insurance? Yeah, you basically need it. Border officials can (and sometimes do) ask to see proof when you land, and honestly, both the US State Department and UK government are pretty insistent about it. Why? Because the hospitals and clinics there aren’t quite up to what we’re used to back home. So my advice? Just get insurance that hits that €30,000 minimum and save yourself the stress. It’s one of those “better safe than sorry” situations.
How much does travel insurance for Moldova typically cost?
For a two-week trip, you’re probably looking at anywhere from $50 to $150 for a decent policy that actually covers what you need. The price depends on things like how old you are, how much your whole trip costs, and what level of coverage you go for. If you’re over 65 or dealing with any pre-existing health stuff, yeah, it’ll be a bit pricier.
Now, you might find some super basic policy for like $30 or $40 that technically meets the minimum medical requirement, but honestly? I wouldn’t recommend cheaping out here. Spend a little extra for the comprehensive coverage. It’s really not the place to pinch pennies—we’re talking about your health and safety in a foreign country.
Do I need a visa for Moldova, and how does that affect my insurance needs?
If you’ve got a passport from the US, UK, EU, Canada, or Australia, you’re golden—no visa needed for trips under 90 days. But heads up: tons of other countries DO need visas for Moldova, and if that’s your situation, insurance isn’t a “maybe”—it’s a hard requirement to get your visa approved.
Even if you’re lucky enough to skip the visa process, I’d still grab insurance that would meet those visa standards. That way you know for sure you’ve got solid coverage and won’t have any awkward conversations at customs.
Will my regular health insurance cover me in Moldova?
Nope, sorry. Most domestic health insurance (including Medicare if you’re American) just doesn’t work outside your home country. Period. Some private plans might give you a tiny bit of international coverage, but it’s usually super limited, doesn’t include evacuation, and definitely doesn’t meet Moldova’s €30,000 requirement.
Bottom line: you need a separate travel medical insurance policy. Your regular insurance isn’t gonna cut it.
Does travel insurance cover trips to Transnistria?
Don’t go there. Seriously. It’s a breakaway region, the UK Foreign Office says to avoid it, and your insurance won’t cover you if you go anyway. Just… don’t.
What if I’m traveling to Moldova from Ukraine—does that affect my insurance?
It might, yeah. If you’re traveling from Ukraine to Moldova, you need to make absolutely sure your policy covers both countries and doesn’t have any exclusions for travel near active conflict zones. Some policies specifically exclude this kind of travel pattern.
When you’re buying insurance, tell them your complete route—like, all of it—and get written confirmation that you’re covered. Don’t assume anything. Get it in writing.
Can I purchase travel insurance after I’ve already arrived in Moldova?
I mean, you could try, but it’s gonna be a hassle. Most policies need to be purchased before you leave home, and a bunch of them even require you to buy within a certain number of days after booking your trip.
Some companies will sell you a policy after you’ve already left, but those usually have crappy coverage and waiting periods before anything kicks in. Just make your life easier and buy it before you go. Future you will thank present you.
What should I do if I need medical care while in Moldova?
First thing: call your insurance company’s 24/7 hotline right away. They’ll tell you where to go, work out payment with the hospital or clinic, and handle all the coordination. That’s literally what you’re paying them for.
If it’s a real emergency, obviously go to the nearest hospital first and call your insurance ASAP after. And here’s a pro tip: keep ALL your receipts and any medical paperwork they give you. You’ll need that stuff for filing claims later. Take photos of everything with your phone as backup, too.
Travel to Moldova with Confidence
Look, Moldova is genuinely awesome—you’ve got incredible history, these jaw-dropping monasteries, wine that’ll blow your mind, and people who actually make you feel welcome. Getting the right travel insurance is honestly one of the easiest boxes to check off your prep list, and it means you can actually enjoy your trip without that nagging worry in the back of your head.
Just make sure your policy hits that €30,000 medical minimum, includes solid evacuation coverage, gives you someone to call 24/7 who speaks English, and doesn’t have any sketchy exclusions because of what’s happening in the region. Use our five-point checklist when you’re shopping around, and seriously, don’t be shy about bugging insurance companies with questions. That’s literally what they’re there for.
Go with one of those specialist international providers—they’ll give you the best mix of proper coverage, reasonable prices, and actual support if you need to file a claim. Yeah, comprehensive insurance costs money (usually less than 5% of what you’re spending on the whole trip), but think about it this way: it protects you from medical bills that could easily hit $50,000 or more. Suddenly that $100 policy seems like a pretty good deal, right?
Here at RiskGuarder, we’re all about giving you the straight facts so you can make smart choices about insurance without getting a headache. We’ve waded through all the official requirements, read the government warnings, and checked out what’s actually available so you don’t have to. Now you can get back to the fun stuff—like mapping out which wineries to hit and figuring out how many bottles you can squeeze into your luggage.
Have an amazing trip, and get ready to discover one of Eastern Europe’s best-kept secrets. You’re gonna love it!
This analysis was prepared by Youssef at RiskGuarder using our rigorous, data-driven methodology. For more information about how we evaluate insurance products and providers, visit our Review Methodology page.
