Approximately 9 million crossings of the state border were recorded during two years since the abolition of the visa requirements by the European Union. 2.7 million crossings of these were allowed based on biometric passports. The past year the number of crossings was by 13% higher than a year before, said the Border Police, quoted by IPN.

The number of people who crossed the Moldovan-Romanian border using biometric passports in April 2015 – April 2016 rose by about 103% compared with the corresponding period last year. “The state border was crossed by 577,000 Moldovans, 497,000 of whom returned. This is 86% of those who left the country,” said senior specialist of the Border Control Division Irina Roibu.

She noted that the males crossed the state border more often than the females. By age categories, the persons aged between 26 and 35 crossed the border more often, followed by those aged over 46 and then those aged between 18 and 25.

According to the Border Police, the Leuseni-Albita customs post was the most popular one. Over 3 million crossings were recorded there. The Sculeni customs post comes next with over 2 million crossings.

The official data of the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union show that since the visa regime with the EU was liberalized, about 3,400 Moldovans or 0.6% of those who went to the EU visa free were not allowed to enter EU member states because the purpose of the trip wasn’t confirmed, they didn’t have enough money or the time limit for staying in the EU was exceeded.

On April 28, Moldova marks two years of the liberalization of the visa regime with the EU. The Moldovans who possess biometric passports can travel visa free in the EU member states and the non-EU member states that form part of the Schengen Area for 90 days during 180 days.