Crossing the Ukraine–Moldova border by car in 2026: documents, lines, and new requirements

Driving from Ukraine to Moldova by car in 2026 remains one of the most convenient ways to travel. However, before leaving, you should carefully prepare: choose the best route, check the situation at checkpoints, and prepare all the necessary documents. Find out more about all the important nuances of crossing the border and the peculiarities of traveling by car

Insurance policy Green card for traveling abroad by car

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If you plan to travel to Moldova by car, you need to be aware of all the country's nuances and rules in advance. The article below will explain the rules of entry, checkpoints, necessary documents, fines, and other useful details during your trip.

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Route Ukraine - Moldova: checkpoints

Traveling by car is one of the most convenient ways to get to Moldova. The main highways connecting Ukraine and Moldova are in good condition, although road repairs are possible in some places.

There are several major border crossings between Ukraine and Moldova:

1. Mamalyga - Kryva. Chernivtsi-Moldovan checkpoint. The nearest checkpoint to Chisinau is 120 km away;

2. Mohyliv-Podilskyi - Otach. Located in the central part, which is convenient for those traveling from Vinnytsia region. The distance to Chisinau is about 230 km;

3. Vynohradivka - Vulcanesti. Convenient for those traveling from the southern part of Ukraine. The distance to Chisinau is about 280 km;

4. Tabaki - Myrne. Convenient for those traveling from the southern part of Ukraine. The distance to Chisinau is about 270 km;

5. Palanca - Mayaki - Udobne. Convenient for those traveling from the southern part of Ukraine. The distance to Chisinau is about 260 km;

6. Reni - Giurgiulesti. Convenient for those traveling from the southern part of Ukraine. The longest travel time to Chisinau is about 250 km.

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How long will it take to travel from Ukrainian cities to the border with Moldova by car?

From Kyiv:

- The nearest checkpoint: Mamalyga - Kryva.

- Distance: 305 km

- Travel time: 5 hours 44 minutes

From Lviv:

- The nearest checkpoint: Mohyliv-Podilskyi - Otach (Vinnytsia region)

- Distance: 420 km

- Travel time: 7 hours and 20 minutes

From Odesa:

- The nearest checkpoint: Palanka - Mayaki - Udobne (Odesa region)

- Distance: 180 km

- Travel time: 3 hours 10 minutes

From Dnipro:

The nearest checkpoint: Mohyliv-Podilskyi - Otach (Vinnytsia region)

Distance: 637 km

Travel time: 8 hours 24 minutes

From Chernivtsi:

- The nearest checkpoint: Mamalyga - Kryva

- Distance: 59 km

- Travel time: 1 hour 6 minutes

Documents required to cross the border

Ukraine and Moldova have a visa-free regime, so there is no need to collect a large number of documents for traveling. Ukrainians have the right to stay in Moldova for up to 90 days within 180 days without a visa.

To cross the border from Ukraine to Moldova by car, you must have:

1. A valid biometric or regular foreign passport. It is recommended that the passport be valid for at least 3 months after the planned departure from Moldova;

2. A valid driver's license;

3. Car registration certificate;

4. Certificate of registration;

5. Identification mark of Ukraine - UA sticker;

6. International certificate of the MSTO;

7. Green Card policy.

Planning a trip abroad in your car?

Apply for a mandatory Green Card policy online in just a few minutes!

A car crossing the border of Ukraine must have state license plates with Latin letters, as individual license plates are valid only on the territory of the country. If the driver is not the owner of the car, he or she must have a certificate of registration in his or her name or the name of a passenger.

To obtain such a document, the car owner and the driver must contact a service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Upon returning to Ukraine, the certificate must be returned within 10 days.

If driving under a power of attorney, it must be translated and legalized in accordance with the requirements of the country of entry. However, a simpler option is to obtain a registration document for traveling abroad.

Changes in the rules of entry to Moldova for drivers

When planning a trip to Moldova by car, you need to make sure that your vehicle meets international safety standards and environmental requirements. According to the updated rules, starting from 2025, all drivers are required to have a valid technical inspection certificate.

This requirement applies to all categories of vehicles, including passenger cars, buses, and minibuses for passenger transportation.

Important! If you do not have a technical certificate, the border services may refuse to allow you to enter the territory of Moldova.

What is checked during the technical inspection?

- Brake system - the effectiveness of the main and hand brakes;

- Steering system - serviceability of mechanisms;

- Lighting devices - operation of headlights, turn signals and brake lights;

- Condition of tires and chassis - compliance with safety standards;

- Exhaust emissions - compliance with environmental standards.

How to obtain an international technical inspection certificate?

1. Prepare the car - check the systems, replace the operating fluids;

2. Collect documents: car registration certificate, owner's passport or notarized power of attorney, tachograph calibration protocol (for trucks);

3. Visit an accredited laboratory included in the register of NAAU (National Accreditation Agency of Ukraine).

The international technical inspection certificate is valid for 1 year. Avoid problems at the border, take care of the documents in advance!

Toll roads in Moldova

When traveling in Moldova by your own car, it is important to note that foreign vehicles are subject to a mandatory road toll. The electronic vignette system, introduced back in 2012, greatly simplifies control and payment for road use. In 2026, its issuance remains mandatory for all non-residents who plan to travel across the country by private vehicle.

The cost of a vignette for passenger cars (up to 3.5 tons):

- 4 € - for 7 days;

- 8 € - for 15 days;

- 16 € - for 30 days;

- 45 € - for 90 days;

- 85 € - for 180 days;

- 180 € - for 1 year.

If you are planning a long trip, it is more profitable to issue a long-term vignette instead of several short-term ones.

How to pay the toll in Moldova?

There are several ways to purchase an electronic vignette:

- Online - on the official website evinieta.gov.md;

- At the border - at points of sale in the border area;

- Through bank branches and terminals;

- At post offices or special points of sale.

When paying through post offices or terminals, a fee of 7 lei is charged. If the total cost of the vignette exceeds 45 euros, an additional fee of 1.5% of the amount will be charged.

The payment receipt must be kept for the entire period of validity of the vignette, as it may be checked during the trip or when leaving the country.

Traffic rules in Moldova

The car must have a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, an emergency stop sign, and reflective vests. The driver and all passengers must wear seat belts (for children under 150 cm tall, a child seat is required).

The light transmittance of the windshield and front side windows must be at least 70% (the restriction does not apply to the rear side windows). Pedestrians in Moldova have the right of way, meaning that drivers are obliged to let all pedestrians pass.

Throughout the year, cars must have low beam headlights on, even during the day, especially outside of settlements. It is strictly forbidden to use a cell phone without a headset while driving. The permissible rate of alcohol content in the driver's blood in Moldova is 0.00 ppm, and exceeding this level is subject to heavy fines and even deprivation of a driver's license.

Parking in cities is carried out in specially designated places. In Chisinau and other large settlements, there are paid parking zones, and violation of these rules may result in a fine or vehicle evacuation

The following speed limits are set for passenger cars:

- Within settlements - 50 km/h;

- Outside settlements - 90 km/h;

- On the highway - 110 km/h.

The Moldovan traffic police actively monitor compliance with traffic rules, and cameras record speeding violations. It is important to have all the necessary documents with you and to monitor compliance with local laws to avoid problems during your trip.

You can learn more about all the peculiarities of traffic rules in Moldova here.

Gasoline prices in Moldova

Fuel prices are currently on the rise in Moldova. As of the beginning of 2026, the following maximum fuel price was set in the country:

- A-95 gasoline - €1.29

- Diesel fuel - €1.13

Green card for entering Moldova

For Ukrainian citizens planning a trip to Moldova by their own car, a Green Card is mandatory.

The Green Card is a mandatory international motor third party liability insurance policy that covers the costs of compensation for damage caused to life, health and property of third parties as a result of an accident in Moldova, as well as other member countries of the international Green Card agreement.

Without a Green Card, entry into Moldova by a foreign car (i.e. a car with Ukrainian registration) is prohibited. It should be borne in mind that the insurance starts the day after the registration, so we advise you to familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions in advance and purchase a Green Card insurance policy.

If you do not have a Green Card when traveling to Moldova, you may face a fine of 200 to 2000 euros. The exact amount of the fine depends on several factors: the type of vehicle, the duration of the delay, etc.

It is better to buy insurance online because it is quick and easy. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can take out a Green Card policy from a licensed insurer. Packages are available for different periods from 15 days to 1 year for cars and trucks, trailers and semi-trailers for trucks, as well as motorcycles and scooters. 

How to buy a Green Card online at Visit Ukraine?

Are you planning a trip abroad by your own car? The Green Card is a mandatory insurance policy, without which it will be impossible to cross the border. You can get it quickly, safely and at a favorable price on the Visit Ukraine portal, where policies from trusted Ukrainian insurance companies are available.

The registration process is as simple as possible and takes only a few minutes. You need to choose the type of vehicle, the country of travel, and the duration of the insurance. Next, enter the required data, confirm the accuracy of the information and pay for the policy in a convenient way. After that, you will receive an electronic version of the insurance by email.

Please note that the Green Card is valid from the day after the date of issuance, so you should take care of the insurance in advance.

Issuing a Green Card at Visit Ukraine is a guarantee of legal validity, compliance with international MTIBU standards, secure online payment and round-the-clock support.

Ensure peace of mind when travelling - apply for a Green Card at Visit Ukraine right now!

We remind you! Are you planning a trip abroad by your own car? It is worth taking care of reliable car insurance in advance. Read more about the Green Card policy for safe travel abroad and what changes in insurance are expected in 2026.

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