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Do You Need a Visa for Medical Treatment in Moldova? Entry Rules for International Patients

2026-07-27 13:47 All about medical tourism Treatment abroad Treatment in Moldova

Do You Need a Visa for Medical Treatment in Moldova? Entry Rules for International Patients

You have chosen a clinic in Moldova, received a preliminary treatment estimate, and are ready to plan your trip. But can you book your tickets immediately, or will you need a visa first?
The answer depends not only on where the patient lives. Citizenship, passport type, duration of treatment, and any valid visas or residence permits issued by another country must also be considered.
In brief: Citizens of countries included in Moldova’s visa-free list may travel to Moldova for examination or treatment without obtaining a visa in advance. In other cases, a short-stay edical visa and, in some situations, an official invitation may be required.

Who Can Travel to Moldova Without a Visa?

Moldova offers visa-free entry to citizens of many countries, including European Union member states, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Israel, Türkiye, Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Seychelles, and others.
The current list should be checked on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova before every trip, as entry rules may change.
For most short-term visits, the following limit applies:
A maximum stay of 90 days within any 180-day period
This is usually sufficient for:
  • a specialist consultation;
  • a second medical opinion;
  • a health check-up or diagnostic assessment;
  • dental treatment;
  • planned surgery;
  • a short recovery period.
Visa-free entry does not mean that the trip requires no preparation. Patients are advised to carry confirmation of their clinic appointment, an examination or treatment plan, proof of accommodation, a return ticket, and travel medical insurance.

The Patient Lives in Europe: Is a Separate Moldovan Visa Required?

This is one of the most common questions among international patients who live in Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands, or another European country but hold the citizenship of a country whose nationals require a visa to enter Moldova.
Living in the European Union does not automatically guarantee visa-free entry to Moldova
For citizens of certain countries, a valid visa or residence permit issued by an EU or Schengen Area country, the United Kingdom, the United States, or Canada may allow entry into Moldova without obtaining a separate Moldovan visa.
However, this exemption does not apply to every nationality. Eligible countries are marked separately in Moldova’s official visa regime list.
In other cases, the patient may still need a Moldovan visa, although a valid European or North American residence permit may exempt them from obtaining an official invitation.
It is therefore not enough to assume:
“I live in the European Union, so I do not need a visa”
The following factors must be checked together:
  • the patient’s citizenship;
  • country of residence;
  • type and validity period of the visa or residence permit;
  • purpose and expected duration of the trip.

Unsure About Your Entry Requirements?

Send MedTour.md the patient’s citizenship, country of residence, details of any valid residence permit or visa, and the type of treatment being considered.
We will check the applicable requirements using official sources and explain which documents may need to be requested from the clinic.
Check Entry Requirements

Which Visa May Be Required for Medical Treatment?

The need for a visa depends mainly on the patient’s citizenship. The appropriate visa category depends on the purpose and duration of the stay.
Situation
Possible entry option
Consultation, check-up, or dental treatment
Visa-free entry or a short-stay visa
Surgery and short-term follow-up
Visa-free entry or a short-stay visa
Long-term treatment or rehabilitation
Long-stay medical visa
The patient requires a companion
The need for assistance must be confirmed by the clinic
*This table is provided for general guidance. Requirements must be checked individually.

Short-Term Medical Trip

A short-stay C/AD visa may be used for medical treatment of limited duration
It may be suitable for consultations, diagnostic examinations, dental treatment, surgery, and other medical visits that fall within the permitted short-stay period. Moldova’s official consular resources list short-term medical treatment as one of the grounds for obtaining a C/AD visa.
The application usually requires:
  • a valid passport;
  • a completed visa application form;
  • proof of the purpose of the trip;
  • a clinic letter or appointment confirmation;
  • information about accommodation and the travel itinerary;
  • proof of sufficient financial resources;
  • medical insurance;
  • an official invitation, where required for the patient’s nationality.
The final list of documents should always be confirmed before submitting the application.

Long-Term Treatment or Rehabilitation

A D/TR visa is available for longer periods of medical treatment
It may be issued to a foreign national travelling to Moldova for extended treatment, therapy, or rehabilitation at a public or private medical institution.
A letter confirming that the patient has been accepted for treatment is required. The medical institution should indicate the diagnosis and the expected duration of treatment.
When the patient cannot care for themselves independently, the clinic’s documents may also confirm the need for a companion.

A Clinic Letter and an Official Invitation Are Not the Same Document

Patients often assume that a clinic letter automatically replaces an official invitation. In practice, these documents serve different purposes.
A letter from a medical institution may confirm:
  • that the clinic is prepared to accept the patient;
  • the medical purpose of the trip;
  • a preliminary treatment programme;
  • the proposed dates and duration of treatment;
  • the estimated cost;
  • the need for a companion.
An official invitation is processed through the General Inspectorate for Migration. It may be one of the requirements for obtaining a Moldovan visa for citizens of certain countries
An invitation is not a visa and does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. After receiving the invitation, the patient must submit a separate visa application.
For urgent medical treatment, an invitation request may be processed more quickly than under the standard procedure when the urgency is supported by medical documentation.

What to Check Before Booking Tickets

To avoid losing money on non-refundable flights or accommodation, the trip should be prepared in the correct order.

1. Check the Visa Regime

The patient’s citizenship, passport, country of residence, and any existing visas or residence permits must be considered.

2. Obtain a Preliminary Response From the Clinic

To assess the case, the doctor may request medical reports, test results, scans, and a description of the patient’s symptoms.

3. Confirm the Programme and Duration

It is important to understand in advance how long the examinations, treatment, and post-procedure observation will take.

4. Obtain Proof of the Medical Purpose of the Trip

Depending on the situation, this may be an appointment confirmation, a treatment programme, or a patient acceptance letter.

5. Check Whether an Official Invitation Is Required

A clinic letter and an official immigration invitation are issued through different procedures.

6. Book Tickets Only After These Steps

Non-refundable flights should not be paid for until the entry requirements have been checked and the clinic has confirmed the medical programme.

How MedTour.md Helps Organise Treatment in Moldova

A medical trip begins not with a flight booking, but with a properly prepared patient pathway.
MedTour.md helps patients to:
  • select a clinic and an appropriate specialist;
  • prepare documents for a preliminary medical assessment;
  • submit the case to a medical institution;
  • request a proposed programme and estimated cost;
  • coordinate consultation and procedure dates;
  • check visa requirements using official sources;
  • request the necessary documents from the clinic;
  • organise the schedule, airport transfer, accommodation, and assistance;
  • maintain communication with the medical institution.
MedTour.md does not issue visas and cannot guarantee visa approval. Decisions concerning visas, invitations, and permission to enter Moldova are made by the relevant government authorities.
Our role is to help the patient prepare the medical and organisational aspects of the trip correctly

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Visa Required for Dental Treatment?

The type of treatment does not determine the visa regime. If the patient’s citizenship is included in the visa-free list, a separate visa is usually not required for a short dental trip. Otherwise, a C/AD visa may be necessary.

Can I Travel Without a Moldovan Visa if I Have a European Residence Permit?

Sometimes, but this depends on your citizenship. For some foreign nationals, an EU residence permit allows visa-free entry to Moldova. For others, it only removes the requirement to obtain an official invitation.

Can the Clinic Provide Documents for the Visa?

The clinic may confirm the appointment, treatment programme, or acceptance of the patient. When an official invitation is required, it must be processed separately through the migration authorities.

Do I Need to Send a Passport Copy Immediately?

For an initial assessment, it is usually sufficient to provide the patient’s citizenship, country of residence, details of any residence permit or visa, and the purpose of the trip. A passport copy may be requested later when contacting the clinic or preparing official documents.

Planning Medical Treatment or an Examination in Moldova?

Send us:
  • the patient’s citizenship;
  • country of residence;
  • details of any valid residence permit or visa;
  • the treatment or examination required;
  • preferred travel dates.
We will help check the organisational requirements, contact the clinic, and identify the next steps.

Planning treatment in Moldova?

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Check Your Travel Requirements
*This article was updated on 27 July 2026 and is provided for general information only. Visa and border requirements may change. Before travelling, patients should verify the current rules using the official resources of the relevant authorities of the Republic of Moldova.