A Moldova visa is not required of citizens of Azerbaijan and you can stay up to 90 days. Chișinău is a destination travelled to from Azerbaijan for business trips and wine tourism but little known: the Cricova and Mileștii Mici cellars are the largest wine stores in the world, the city is cheap and Russian works everywhere.
In this article we explain the terms of the visa-free regime, the Transnistria question you have to watch out for when entering Moldova, the flight options from Baku to Chișinău and the practical points of the trip.
Do you need a Moldova visa?
No. There is a bilateral agreement between Azerbaijan and Moldova, and on an ordinary passport you can stay visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. In the list of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Moldova is marked with 90 days. Tourism, visiting relatives and business meetings are included in this regime; to work and to study a separate permit is needed. Moldova’s own entry rules are given on the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova.
| Is a visa required? | No |
| How long can you stay? | 90 days within 180 |
| Passport | Must cover the trip; 6 months is advised |
| May be asked at the border | Return ticket, address, means of support |
| Flights | Seasonal direct flights; stable via Istanbul |
| Currency | Moldovan leu |
The Transnistria question: the rule that can close off visa-free entry to Moldova
In the east of Moldova there is a region called Transnistria that is not under Chișinău’s control. Under Moldovan law entry into the country is possible only through Moldova’s official border crossings. Entering Moldova from the Transnistrian side, that is via Tiraspol from the Ukrainian border, counts as illegal entry and creates problems on departure. For those entering from Chișinău airport or from the Romanian side there is no issue at all. A day trip to Transnistria from Chișinău is possible, and a registration slip is given at the crossing.
How do you get from Baku to Chișinău?
Direct flights between Baku and Chișinău are seasonal and change every year; the most stable route is with Turkish Airlines and Pegasus via Istanbul, and the whole journey takes 6–8 hours. Baku–Chișinău ticket prices are among the best value of any European destination. You can also enter from the Romanian side by bus from Iași or Bucharest, but for that you need a Schengen visa for Romania.
Why do people go to Moldova without a visa?
There are three reasons.
The first is the wine. The Cricova cellar is an underground city 120 kilometres long and Mileștii Mici is the largest collection in the world, in the Guinness book, and both are half an hour from Chișinău.
The second is business trips and medical tourism. Dental and eye treatment in Chișinău is considerably cheaper than in Europe.
And the third is the price. Moldova is one of the cheapest countries in Europe for an Azerbaijani tourist.
A visit to the wine cellars is booked in advance, and in the format of a wine tour Chișinău, Cricova and Orheiul Vechi are seen in 3–4 days.
Things to know before the trip
- Money. The Moldovan leu. Dollars and euros are changed everywhere and cards work in Chișinău.
- Language. Romanian is the official language and Russian works everywhere.
- Season. May–June and September–October are the best time, and in October there is the wine festival.
- Insurance. Not required, but advised.
- Children. The child must have their own passport; when travelling with one parent, the other’s notarised consent may be required.
Frequently asked questions about the Moldova visa
Can you stay more than 90 days in Moldova without a visa?
No. To stay longer, to work and to study you need a visa in advance and a residence permit.
Can you cross from Moldova into Romania?
Romania is in the Schengen zone and a Schengen visa is needed. Moldova’s visa-free regime does not give entry to Romania.
Will the rules change when Moldova joins the EU?
Moldova is conducting membership talks with the EU and may in future align its visa policy with the EU; Montenegro did that in 2026. For now the visa-free regime is in force.
In closing
A Moldova visa is not required and you can stay 90 days; the only rule to remember is to enter the country through an official crossing. The Viza.az team helps with booking tickets and hotels and with arranging a visit to the wine cellars.
You can read more about Moldova as a destination or fill in the application form.
Note: the information here is as of the publication date. The visa-free regime can change, so check the official sources once more before your trip.
