Power & Connectivity (SIM)

Moldova uses 230V / 50Hz with Type C and Type F sockets (European two round pins). Bring a Type C/F adapter; travellers from 100–120V countries need a converter for devices that are not dual-voltage.

The main operators are Orange Moldova, Moldcell and Moldtelecom (Unite), with good 4G and growing 5G. Prepaid SIMs are cheap and sold at the airport, operator shops and kiosks. Bring your passport, as registration may be required. There is no EU-style free roaming, since Moldova is outside the EU.

If your phone supports eSIM, an international travel eSIM (such as Airalo) is a convenient option: buy it online before arrival and install it in minutes. Since Moldova is outside the EU, there is no free EU roaming, so a local SIM or a travel eSIM is usually the cheapest choice.

Free Wi-Fi is common in hotels and cafés, and Chișinău is relatively well covered. Speeds are generally good in the capital, though rural areas can be patchier. Use a VPN on public networks for sensitive tasks like banking.

Moldova has an open internet with no significant restrictions. All standard apps and services — messaging, social media, maps and streaming — work normally. Note that the breakaway Transnistria region can have its own connectivity conditions.

Handy apps include ride-hailing such as iVElo, Yandex Go and local taxi apps in Chișinău, plus Google Maps and a translation app. Uber is generally not available. Card payments are increasingly accepted, but keep some cash for small shops and marshrutkas.

Moldova's country code is +373. App-based calls (WhatsApp, Viber, FaceTime and similar) are common and popular. Since there is no free EU roaming, a local SIM or eSIM is the cheapest way to make regular calls. Save numbers in full +373 format so they work from any network.