Stay Duration in Moldova for Ukrainians Without Temporary Protection
Since thousands of Ukrainians have found temporary refuge in Moldova, compliance with migration laws has become extremely important. To avoid fines, deportation, or entry bans, it is essential to follow the established rules and timeframes for stay.
Rules for Stay in Moldova
For foreign nationals, including Ukrainian refugees, the legal stay duration in Moldova without applying for temporary protection is 90 days within a 180-day period. After this period, individuals must either leave the country or apply for temporary residence permission.
If your stay exceeds the allowable 90 days but you haven’t applied for temporary asylum or obtained another legal status, you may be fined.
How to Calculate Your Stay Duration in Moldova?
It is crucial to track the days of your stay properly to avoid violating the rules. Moldovan law states that the day of entry is counted as a full day, even if you entered the country late in the evening. Similarly, the day of departure is counted as a full day, even if you leave the country early in the morning.
To avoid mistakes, you can use a stay duration calculator that helps accurately calculate the remaining time based on stamps in your passport. This tool takes into account the 90/180 rule and shows how many days are left until the allowed stay period ends.
What is the 90/180 Rule?
This rule states that you can stay in Moldova for no more than 90 days within any 180-day period. After staying for 90 days, you must leave the country and remain outside of Moldova for 90 days before you can return for another 90-day period.
To calculate it correctly, you need to track every day of your stay in the country. The 180-day period is a rolling window, meaning you need to check whether you exceed the 90-day limit within the last 180 days.
Example:
If you stayed in Moldova for 60 days consecutively and then left for 30 days, you would have only 30 days remaining for your stay when you re-enter during the current 180-day period.
Penalties for Exceeding the Stay in Moldova
According to Moldova’s Code of Offenses, violations of stay rules are regulated by Article 333. If you exceed the allowed stay duration, a fine ranging from 12 to 30 conditional units (CU) may be imposed, which is equivalent to 600–1500 Moldovan Lei (approximately 34–85 USD).
Also, failure to report an extension of stay or changes in personal information, such as surname, nationality, residence address, etc., may result in similar fines.
How to Avoid Penalties for Exceeding Stay Duration in Moldova
If you find that your stay in Moldova has expired, don’t panic. The law allows you to avoid fines if you voluntarily leave the country within 15 days after the expiration of your stay. This rule helps avoid both fines and a ban on future entry. However, it is essential to comply with the deadlines and arrange your departure in advance with the authorities.
Entry Ban Due to Stay Violation in Moldova
An entry ban may be imposed for up to 5 years under Law No. 200/2010 on the Regime of Foreigners in Moldova. This applies to individuals who repeatedly violated the stay rules or engaged in illegal activities.
Conclusion
Ukrainian refugees need to monitor their stay duration in Moldova, timely apply for necessary documents, and leave the country when needed. This will help avoid administrative penalties and future entry problems.