The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration has launched a guide on the free movement in the European area. From April 28, the Moldovans will be able to travel to the EU visa-free, IPN reports.
The guide says that the liberalization of the visa regime will allow traveling without visas during a period of 90 days within six months, without the right to work. A valid biometric passport is needed for traveling without visas. A biometric passport for grownups costs 700 lei, for children aged between 7 and 12 – 600 lei, while for children up to seven - 430 lei. Those who would like to travel in the EU with non-biometric passports will have to apply for visas at the embassies of the EU/Schengen member states in Moldova.
In order to travel in the Schengen Area without visas, when entering the EU the Border Police will ask the travelers to show a valid biometric passport. The travelers will have to state the goal of their visit and the destination: business, tourism, visit to friends or relatives, studies of up to 90 days and others.
When a trip is made for tourism purposes, the border police officer may ask for a round-trip ticket and the hotel reservation. When the traveler goes to a conference, they may be asked to show the invitation and the agenda of the conference. A Green Card may be required when the trip is made by car.
If the person goes to see the relatives, the border police may ask for the contact data of the person inviting them, while for treatment visits – confirmation from the visited medical institution or the recommendation of the Moldovan medical institution. The police officers can also ask for the health policy for the period of stay and for confirmation that the travelers have enough money for the stay and for returning to the country of origin. Most of the times, this sum does not exceed €50 a day.
If the Moldovans do not obey the rules of stay in the EU, they will have to leave the country or will be deported. The EU member states will be able to impose administrative measures - fines of up to €3,000. If the fines are not paid, the person will not be allowed to enter the given country.
The persons who pose a threat to the public order and who were sentenced to minimum one year in jail in any of the Schengen Area member states will not be allowed to enter the Schengen Area.
The guide will be distributed to Moldovans all over the country, including through the agency of the local subdivisions of the state-run document issuing company “Registru” and the border crossing points of Moldova.
