Money, cards and ATMs in Moldova

The Moldovan leu

• The currency is the Moldovan leu (MDL). It is unrelated to the Romanian leu despite the name.
• Cards work in Chisinau, much less reliably outside it.
• Carry cash for villages, markets and wineries.
• Moldova is among the cheapest countries in Europe.

The Transnistrian rouble

• Transnistria issues its own currency, the Transnistrian rouble.
• It is not convertible anywhere else on earth - not in Chisinau, not in a bank, nowhere.
• Spend it before you leave or accept that it is a souvenir. The plastic coins are collectable and that is about the extent of their value.
• Foreign cards generally do not work in Transnistria. Take cash in.

ATMs

• Always refuse the machine's offer to charge you in your own currency. Dynamic currency conversion at an ATM or a card terminal costs several per cent, every time, and the offer is worded to sound helpful. Choose the local currency and let your own bank convert.
• Use bank ATMs rather than the independent machines in tourist areas, which add their own fee on top.