| location | |
 | |
| flag | |
 | |
| Short dates | |
| Capital | Chișinău (German: Kischinau) |
|---|---|
| Form of government | republic |
| currency | 1 Moldovan Leu (MDL) = 100 bani |
| surface | 33,800 km² |
| population | 4.45 million (¼ abroad) |
| languages | Romanian (also called Moldovan here) |
| Religions | Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5% |
| power grid | 220 V / 50 Hz |
| Phone code | 373 |
| Internet TLD | .md |
| Time zone | CET 1h (OEZ) |
Moldova or Republic of Moldova (Swiss Republic of Moldova; unofficially too Moldova) located in Eastern Europe. Bordering countries are Romania in the West, Transnistria and the Ukraine in the East.
Regions
- Gagauzia - autonomous area within Moldova.
Cities
- Chișinău (pronounced: Chisinau) - capital; russ: Кишинёв (Kishinev)
- Tiraspol - Capital of the breakaway republic Pridnestrovie
- Bendery
- Cricova - known for the huge wine cellar system
- Bălți
- Comrat
- Giurgiuleşti - the city on the Danube
background
Moldova has been independent since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The borders are the result of the wars of the 20th century. The Romanian-speaking cultural region extends into Romania and into the Ukraine. The eastern part of the country ("Transnistria“) Is no longer under the control of the Moldovan government.
Moldova is considered the poorest country in Europe; an estimated quarter of its economic output comes from remittances from migrant workers elsewhere, of which there are said to be around 1-1.3 million. The average monthly net in 2017 was 5250 MDL (around 250 euros). The most important export product is wine, the cultivation of which was greatly expanded during the Soviet era, with quantity taking precedence over quality.
getting there
An identity card is sufficient for all Europeans, former CIS citizens and Turks for tourist entry up to 90 days. Citizens of 102 countries (no Africans, few Asians) and all third-country nationals who have a valid EU long-term residence permit are allowed to enter the country with a passport without a visa.
inch
Valuta cash must be registered from € 10,000, imports of the local currency are limited to MDL 2,500 cash.
By plane
The most important airfield is in Chişinău.
By train
Moldovan night trains run from Bucharest, which require reservations. The trains are quite comfortable and have a bar. The tickets are collected by the conductors at the start of the journey and returned on arrival in Chișinău - theoretically but only occasionally.
There are direct trains to Moscow, Kiev and Odessa.
By bus
From the Romanian city Iasi you can take minibuses to Chișinău. Several buses run daily from Bucharest to Chișinău.
There are long-distance bus connections from most major Eastern European cities and Vienna.
In the street
The best way to travel from southern Germany, Switzerland and Austria is via the Vienna – Budapest – Romania route 1 Border crossing Albița (RO) ↔ Leuseni (MD)(46 ° 47 ′ 31 ″ N.28 ° 9 ′ 16 ″ E), or at Ungheni. From northern Germany you can also go over Krakow and Lviv (UA) drive to Moldova. However, it can be on the border between Poland and Ukraine too very long waiting times come.
Hourly waiting times at the border crossings should be planned, but it can also be quick and easy. Self-drivers need that green insurance card. Vehicles that are not registered in the Republic of Moldova need one for the entire road network Vignette. They are available in the branches of Moldova Agroindbank or more conveniently via vending machines at petrol stations. "In the event of a traffic accident, a 30-day travel ban is to be expected."
There are numerous checkpoints along routes leading to or from Transnistria.
It prevails Alcohol ban at the wheel, i.e. 0.0 ‰.
By boat
Moldova is a landlocked country, so there is no possibility of arriving by ship. In the Moldovan free port 2 Giurgiuleşti no passenger ships dock on the Danube.
mobility
The cheapest taxi rides can be ordered via 14999, 14007, 14222, 14448, 14090. However, it can then take a while before the taxi arrives. There are minibuses in every direction in the country. Often you are also approached by private taxi drivers, who are not necessarily the worst alternative (especially if you speak poorly or no Russian at all) if you want to go to Tiraspol, as they can mediate a little at the border and you may not be quite as strong being ripped off. However, private taxis are also more expensive than regular taxis.
train
- Calea Ferată din Moldova:Booking portal There are few domestic trains. Child discount about 30%.
Border traffic to Transnistria
The easiest and cheapest way to get to Transnistria is by train or marshrutka (minibus). The single journey costs 36.5 MDL and the border clearance is then carried out using "mass processing". That means the border guards do not deal with you so extensively, because the bus wants to continue at some point and the next one is already waiting. There are several marshrutki from Chișinău to Tiraspol and vice versa every hour. Upon entry you will receive a "migration card" (a piece of paper), which will be collected again when you leave the country.
language
The official language is Romanian, but it is also known as "Moldovan".
You can get a little further with English, especially in Chișinău, so knowledge of Russian can be very helpful as Russian is ubiquitous and most people can speak it (especially in the cities).
shop
National currency is the Moldovan Leu (Pl .: Lei), which has been reasonably stable for years:
€ 1 = approx. 20 MDL (03/2019; fluctuation range 2017-9: 19.5-23).
The Moldovans produce a very good cognac and a lot of wine.
Cigarettes are very cheap and can be had for € 0.50-1.10 per packet. They are most expensive at the airport.
kitchen
A Moldovan specialty is the hearty one Cabbage à la Babette
The chronology of Moldova includes different historical time periods, on this territory were and lived such peoples as: the Turks, the Tatars, the Greeks, the Slavs, the Bulgarians and others. The peoples influenced both the history and the traditions of the country's cuisine.
The dishes that are prepared according to the traditional recipes are:
- Mămăligă - the second bread on the Moldovan table. This is a mixture of the cornmeal prepared in the casserole. It is usually served with sheep's cheese or curd cheese. Sour cream, vegetable ragout, roast meat or fried fish are served as a side dish.
- Cabbage rolls wrapped in the grape leaves - much smaller than Turkish cabbage rolls. When fasting, the filling varies from traditional rice with meat to buckwheat and various groats with braised vegetables.
- Sama, the soup, which is usually made from homemade noodles.
nightlife
Going out at night is good if you keep an eye on your wallet. There are many restaurants, bars, discos, night clubs and casinos.
accommodation
- Mediate agencies complete, furnished apartments (also for 1 to 2 days), which due to the (still) missing hostels probably offer the cheapest overnight accommodations at the moment. The apartments are usually reasonably well equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, 1 to 2 additional rooms and beds, so that you could easily sleep there with 4 to 5 people. The costs start at € 30 per night. Most of the time, these apartments are not particularly central and not necessarily in the best areas of the city, which is why, if you want to come back later in the evening, a taxi ride directly there is probably the best.
Work
For work or permanent residence permits (Permis de sedere) an employment contract, certificate of good conduct and a medical examination are required. All documents must be in Romanian translation. Since April 1, 2019 there has been compulsory insurance in the statutory health insurance (AOAM). Their contributions can be paid in post offices.
public holidays
| Next appointment | Surname | importance |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 1st January 2022 | Anul nou | New Year |
| Friday 7th January 2022 until Saturday, January 8, 2022 | Crăciunul | Orthodox Christmas festival |
| Tuesday March 8, 2022 | International Women's Day | |
| Sunday May 2nd 2021 until Monday, May 3, 2021 | Paştele | Orthodox Easter |
| Saturday 1st May 2021 | Ziua muncii | Labor Day |
| Sunday May 9, 2021 | Victory Day (end of WWII) | |
| Friday, August 27, 2021 | Ziua indepentie | Independence day |
| Tuesday, August 31, 2021 | Limba noastra | National (Romanian) Language Day |
security
Single emergency number: ☎ 112
Some taxi drivers warn you to take good care of your belongings, as western foreigners are attractive to pickpockets. Otherwise you can move freely and normally.
Penalties for drug offenses are severe.
health
There is no handicapped accessible infrastructure, not even in public facilities.
climate
Practical advice
From 2021 there will be no more summer time.
One should be more cautious. Tourists are rare and therefore noticeable.
Foreign representations are in Chișinău.
Post and Telecommunications
Telephone calls from the Republic of Moldova to the Transnistrian part of the country are possible, the area code is 1600373.
Cell phone numbers begin with a 6.
Cellular providers offer:
They all offer prepaid cards. These cards are called Alocard (Moldcell) and Orange (PrePay). Various data packages can be booked from the credit. Orange is a bit more expensive. Registration is not necessary!
literature
- Dom, Rosanna; Fragile loyalty to the Republic of Moldova: Soviet nostalgia and 'homelessness' among Russian and Ukrainian minorities; Berlin 2017 (De Gruyter Oldenbourg)
- Frieder Monzer; Timo Ulrichs; Moldova: with Chisinau, all of Bessarabia and Transdnestria; Berlin 2013 (Trescher-Verlag); ISBN 9783897942455
- Graf, Kilian; Transnistria conflict: product of late Soviet distribution struggles and disintegration conflict in the imploded Soviet Union; Hamburg 2010 (Disserta-Verl.); ISBN 9783942109307
- Naiem, Selma; Republic of Moldova: Gagauzia's aspirations: referendum of February 02, 2014; Salzburg 2014
- Orians, Wolfgang; Salewski, Andreas; Republic of Moldova: a travel book; Reports, background reports and travel tips; Acht 2013 (Achter Verlag); ISBN 9783981456257
