Moldovans can now travel freely in the Schengen area

The European Parliament and the Council took the final decision on Thursday on Moldova's inclusion on the list of countries whose citizens will no longer need visas to travel to the Schengen area starting April 28.

The European Parliament President Martin Schulz, and the Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dimitris Kourkoulas, signed the amendments to Regulation no. 539/2001, by which Moldova is transferred to the list of countries whose citizens can travel visa-free Schengen for a period of 90 days.

On 27 February, the European Parliament approved the amendments, and on 14 March the EU in the Council of Ministers for Transport format, approved the Commission's proposal to eliminate visas for Moldovan citizens.

The last step is the publication of the decision in the Official Journal, which will take place on April 8, according to the EC. The measure will come into force 20 days after its publication.

"By the end of the month, the Moldovan citizens with biometric passports will not need visas to travel to the Schengen area, for short periods of time. This is a great achievement and the beginning of a new chapter in our relations," said the Commissioner for Business Cecilia Malmstrom.

The visa will only benefit the Moldovan citizens holding a biometric passport.

To obtain a biometric passport, Moldovans have to pay 39 euros and wait 30 days. If you want to get it in three hours, the price is 127 euros.

This does not mean that Moldovans can enter the Schengen area to work, but only for tourist purposes, for a period of 90 days.

Negotiations between the EU and Moldova visa liberalization began in June 2010.