Republic of Moldova
Travel Destination – Moldova
The Republic of Moldova is a quietly compelling destination where Chișinău’s tree-lined boulevards and Soviet-era architecture sit alongside lively cafés, museums, and a growing wine culture. Outside the capital, the landscape opens into rolling vineyards, monasteries perched on limestone cliffs, and rural villages with traditional life. Travellers often explore the underground wine cellars at Cricova and Mileștii Mici, and enjoy the unhurried nature of the rolling countryside.
Taking time to prepare before visiting helps ensure travel is smooth and allows you to focus on exploring Moldova.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Before travelling to Moldova, arranging a consultation with a travel health professional is a practical step to ensure your routine vaccinations are current and to consider whether any additional immunisations are appropriate for your itinerary. This appointment also allows discussion of personal health needs, including prescription medications, and any precautions relevant to rural travel or outdoor activities.
An appointment scheduled around six to eight weeks before departure allows time for multi-dose vaccines. Even if departure is approaching sooner, a shorter-notice consultation can still provide useful guidance on risk reduction and travel readiness. Advice is tailored to your plans, whether you are staying mainly in Chișinău, exploring wine regions, or travelling into rural or monastic areas.
Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended and should include cover for medical care, unexpected illness or injury, and any planned activities such as countryside excursions, walking tours, or regional travel outside the capital.
Food and water hygiene
Moldovan cuisine is hearty and rooted in seasonal produce, with fresh breads, grilled meats, vegetables, and wines forming a central part of the food culture. Most travellers eat safely throughout their stay, but gastrointestinal illness can still occur when travelling in any country, particularly when food handling or storage conditions vary.
Precautions include hand hygiene before meals, especially after travel or time in public spaces. Choosing freshly prepared food that is served hot reduces risk, while caution is advisable with items that have been left uncovered or stored for extended periods. Raw or unwashed fruits and vegetables should be approached carefully unless their preparation source is trusted. Drinking water from the mains supply is acceptable in most urban areas, though bottled water may be preferred when travelling through rural regions or if there is any uncertainty about supply quality.
Insect avoidance
In Moldova, insect exposure is generally seasonal, with mosquitoes more noticeable in warmer months and ticks present in grassy, rural, and forested areas. Tick-borne encephalitis is a recognised risk in parts of the region, particularly for those spending time outdoors in countryside environments.
Protection relies on consistent preventive habits. Wearing long sleeves and long trousers in rural or wooded areas helps reduce skin exposure, particularly during peak tick season. Insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin should be applied to exposed skin, and permethrin-treated clothing can provide additional protection for travellers spending extended time outdoors. After walking in grass or forested areas, it is important to check the body carefully for ticks, including hidden areas such as behind the knees and along the hairline, and to remove any promptly and safely.
Rabies prevention
Rabies is present in parts of Eastern Europe, including Moldova, and is carried mainly by wild mammals such as dogs, foxes, and occasionally stray or unvaccinated domestic animals. The illness is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, which is why prevention focuses on avoiding exposure and prompt treatment in the event of an animal bite or scratch.
Travellers are advised to avoid contact with all animals, even those that appear healthy or tame, including dogs in rural areas and wildlife encountered during outdoor activities. Any bite, scratch, or lick on broken skin or mucous membranes requires immediate medical assessment, even if the wound seems minor. A travel doctor may recommend pre-exposure vaccination for individuals spending extended time in rural regions, working with animals, or travelling to areas where access to medical care may be delayed.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for Moldova?
Measles
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Measles is a highly contagious viral infection spread through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It typically causes fever, cough, runny nose, and a distinctive rash, and can lead to complications such as pneumonia or brain inflammation. In Moldova and surrounding regions, outbreaks can still occur. Travellers born during or since 1966 should ensure they have received two documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine, usually given as a combination in the form of a measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) immunisation. Immunity from vaccination provides strong protection in crowded or international settings.
Influenza
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Influenza is a seasonal respiratory virus that spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, and close contact. It can cause sudden fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and cough, and may be more severe in older adults, young children, pregnant travellers, or those with chronic medical conditions. Because influenza circulates differently across Europe and can occur outside Australia’s usual flu season, annual vaccination is recommended before travel.
COVID-19
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COVID-19 is a respiratory infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, spread mainly through inhalation of airborne droplets and aerosols in enclosed or crowded environments. Symptoms range from mild respiratory illness to more severe disease affecting breathing and overall health. Vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness and hospitalisation. Current Australian guidance recommends that older adults and higher-risk groups receive additional booster doses over time, six-monthly for those over 75 and annually for those aged 65 to 74. All travellers are encouraged to be up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccinations before departure.
Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver transmitted through contaminated food or water, or close contact with an infected person. It can cause fever, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, and yellowing of the skin. Illness may last weeks to months. Exposure to hepatitis A can still occur in Moldova, particularly through rural travel or changes in food hygiene environments. Vaccination is recommended for most travellers who have not previously completed the course as it provides long-lasting protection. Vaccination is advised especially those visiting family, friends or travelling outside major cities.
Routine vaccinations
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Routine vaccinations refer to standard immunisations recommended in Australia, including protection against diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella. These infections remain uncommon in Australia due to high vaccine coverage but can still circulate in other regions or be encountered through international travel. Ensuring these vaccinations are up to date provides a strong baseline of protection, particularly when travelling through airports, staying in shared accommodation, or spending time in densely populated settings. Additional vaccines such as hepatitis B may be advised depending on additional risk factors.
Moldova
Other health risks in Moldova
Gastroenteritis
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Gastroenteritis, otherwise known as traveller's diarrhoea, is most commonly caused by viruses or bacteria transmitted through contaminated food, water, or close contact with an infected person. It can lead to diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and sometimes fever. While illness is often self-limiting, dehydration can develop if fluid losses are significant, particularly in children, older adults, or those with underlying health conditions. Treatment involves sufficient rehydration with water or electrolyte solutions. Medical attention is often not required, however it is important to seek medical care if significant dehydration, fever, or blood in the faeces arise.
In Moldova, risk is generally moderate and tends to vary with setting. Urban restaurants and established venues in Chișinău are usually safe, but risk can increase in rural areas or when food is prepared in less controlled environments. Prevention involves careful hand hygiene before eating, choosing freshly cooked and well-heated food, and being cautious with raw or unwashed produce. Bottled or treated water is preferred when there is any uncertainty about supply quality.
Rabies
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Rabies is present in parts of Eastern Europe, including Moldova, and is carried mainly by wild mammals such as dogs, foxes, and occasionally stray or unvaccinated domestic animals. The illness is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, which is why prevention focuses entirely on avoiding exposure and prompt treatment after an animal bite or scratch.
Travellers are advised to avoid contact with all animals, even those that appear healthy or tame, including dogs in rural areas and wildlife encountered during outdoor activities. Any bite, scratch, or lick on broken skin or mucous membranes should be treated as urgent and requires immediate medical assessment, even if the wound seems minor. A travel doctor may recommend pre-exposure vaccination for individuals spending extended time in rural regions, working with animals, or travelling to areas where access to medical care may be delayed.
Tuberculosis
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Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that most commonly affects the lungs and is spread through prolonged close contact with an infected person via airborne droplets. Symptoms may include a persistent cough, fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, and fever.
Moldova has higher rates of TB compared with Western Europe, although risk to short-term travellers remains low. Exposure is generally limited to close, prolonged contact in household or healthcare-type settings rather than casual public interaction. Travellers should be aware of symptoms if staying for extended periods or working in healthcare or community settings.
Non-infectious conditions
Crime and unrest
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Safety conditions in Moldova can vary. Maintaining awareness of current travel advice from the Australian government's Smartraveller website is sensible before and during travel.
Serious crime involving visitors is uncommon, although petty crime such as pickpocketing or bag theft can occur in crowded places, transport hubs, and busy urban settings. Standard precautions are usually sufficient, including keeping valuables secure, staying aware in public areas, and not leaving belongings unattended.
Deep vein thrombosis
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Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, most often in the legs, due to reduced or prolonged immobility affecting normal blood flow. While it is most commonly associated with long-haul flights, it can also develop during extended periods of sitting in cars, buses, or trains, particularly on longer regional travel routes within or to Moldova.
The main concern arises if a clot dislodges and travels to the lungs, causing a potentially serious complication.
Prevention is centred on maintaining regular movement. Travellers should walk or stretch periodically during long journeys, perform simple ankle and calf exercises while seated, and stay well hydrated. Limiting long uninterrupted periods of sitting also helps reduce risk. For those with additional risk factors, medical advice may be recommended before travel, and compression stockings may be considered in selected cases.