The citizens of the Republic of Moldova whose Moldovan identification papers expired can enter the country. If the person presents the expired Moldovan passport or identity card on entry, the customs officers check the identity and nationality of the person in the database and allow this to enter if the data is confirmed.

Contacted by IPN, press officer of the Border Police Raisa Novitski said the persons are not penalized in such cases. “We allow Moldovans with the expired passport to enter, but the country in which they are should also allow them to leave with such a document,” she explained. If the identification papers expired, the Moldovans should go to Moldova’s embassy or consulate in the country of residence so as to get a travel permit that enables them to leave that country.

The authorities admit that during the pandemic, persons with dual nationality used expired Moldovan papers as the foreigners cannot enter the country. They had thus to present the expired passport as a confirming document.