• Moldova has client-identification rules for currency transactions. Keep your passport with you at all times, even for a small amount.
• For a tourist — a foreign passport. For a resident — the national ID card (buletin de identitate).
• For small amounts up to the equivalent of 5,000 MDL, some operators may not ask for a document. For larger amounts — almost always required.
• For large transactions (from 50,000 MDL equivalent and up), you may need additional documents: source of funds, purpose of the transaction.
• Without a document the real risk is a refused transaction and wasted time.

The regulatory backdrop

Currency transactions in Moldova are governed by:

• The Currency Regulation Law.
• Anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorist-financing rules (AML/CFT).
• Instructions from the National Bank of Moldova.
• Each bank's or bureau's internal policy (typically stricter than the law, but no less strict).

All of these point to the need for client identification. Specific thresholds and forms may shift, but the overall logic is stable: the larger the amount, the more documents.

Which documents you may need

The basics:

• Foreign passport — for non-residents (tourists, business travellers).
• National ID card (buletin de identitate) — for Moldovan citizens.
• Residence permit — for foreigners with resident status.

Extras (for large amounts):

• Proof of source of funds. Account statement, transfer receipt, property sale contract, inheritance document and so on.
• Purpose of the operation. Buy a property, pay for treatment, a trip. Verbal is enough for moderate amounts.
• IDNP — the personal identification number. Sometimes requested for paperwork.

Document substitutes:

• Driving licence — usually not accepted as a primary document for currency transactions.
• Bank card — not a document.
• A photo of your passport on your phone — sometimes taken as a stopgap, but the original is better.

Amount thresholds and requirements

Specific thresholds shift. At the time of writing, this is the typical practice at major Chisinau banks. Small amounts will likely raise no questions; large ones will.

Why identification is required

It's a legal requirement, not the bank's whim. Moldova is part of the international AML/CFT system (anti-money laundering / counter-financing of terrorism). Banks must:

• Know their customer (KYC).
• Record transactions above a given amount.
• Report suspicious transactions to the financial intelligence unit.
• Store customer and transaction data for a set number of years.

For you that means: on large transactions you may be questioned in more detail, on medium ones asked for a passport, on small ones sometimes nothing formal at all.

No need to take this defensively. It's a normal procedure that exists in every country plugged into the international banking system.

Compare rates right now

The widget below shows bank rates. Documents are a separate step — they aren't needed to "understand the rate", but for the transaction itself at the counter.

When picking a bank, watch the notes on the card — some banks flag special document requirements or have particular rules for large amounts.

Scenario: a tourist with €200

The most common case. You flew into Chisinau for the weekend and need to turn €200 into MDL.

• Document: foreign passport (you have it on you as a tourist).
• At the bank: they may ask, they may not. But it doesn't hurt.
• At a bureau: often not asked at this amount. But if they ask — passport in hand.
• Source document: not needed.
• Time: 5–10 minutes.

Scenario: a resident exchanging 3,000 USD

Dollar savings being switched into MDL for a big purchase.

• Document: buletin de identitate.
• Source document: not mandatory, but helps if you have one. "Savings built up over the years" is enough verbally.
• Purpose: "Moving savings to buy [item]" — enough.
• Time: 15–25 minutes.

Scenario: selling a flat, €50,000

A large transaction that needs paperwork.

• Document: buletin de identitate.
• Source document: property sale contract, transfer-acceptance act, account statement showing the funds.
• Purpose: Specifically — "funds from the sale of a flat at address X".
• Advance request: the bank has to make that volume of cash available — submit the request a day or two before.
• Possible negotiated rate: on the table.
• Time: 1–2 hours with the prep.

More on this in Where to exchange a large amount in Moldova.

What they're not supposed to ask

A few cases where the bank or bureau has no right to probe:

• "How much do you earn a month?" — irrelevant to the transaction, you don't have to answer.
• "Who do you work for?" — irrelevant, you don't have to answer.
• "Where are you staying in Chisinau?" — not their business.
• "Why do you need cash?" — for a large transaction they may ask the purpose, but not interrogate you with intent.

Normal questions — passport, source of funds for a large amount, purpose of the transaction in broad terms. If the teller or manager is asking questions that are unrelated to the transaction, you have the right to walk out.

Special cases

Foreigner without a residence permit. Foreign passport is the primary document.

Minor. Currency transactions usually aren't done alone. A parent or guardian with documents is required.

No fixed address. Trickier; the bank may ask for additional confirmation.

Representing a legal entity. Power of attorney + company documents. A separate service segment.

Person on a wanted list or with blocked accounts. The transaction can be refused or paused.

Step-by-step prep

Step 1. Settle the amount. Document requirements follow from it.

Step 2. Get the passport ready. Foreign (tourist) or buletin de identitate (resident). Valid.

Step 3. For a large amount — the source document. Sale contract, statement, transfer receipt.

Step 4. Decide on the purpose. "Buying a flat", "savings", "medical care" — a short phrase.

Step 5. Compare banks in the widget. Rate and reputation.

Step 6. Call ahead (for a large amount). Clarify requirements and availability.

Step 7. Go to the bank. Documents, currency, composure.

Step 8. Get the receipt. With the amount, rate and taxes broken out.

Checklist: "documents for an exchange"

• [ ] Passport on me (foreign for a tourist, buletin for a resident).
• [ ] I know the amount threshold and its requirements.
• [ ] Source document ready for a large amount.
• [ ] I have a one-line purpose for the transaction.
• [ ] If there's a representative/power of attorney — paperwork in order.
• [ ] I get that questions about source of funds are normal, not suspicion.

Common mistakes

• Going without a passport for a large amount. Almost certain refusal.
• Bringing just a photo of the document. Often not accepted.
• Not preparing a source document for a large transaction. You can burn a day.
• Treating the bank's questions as an "interrogation". It's a normal procedure.
• Hiding information. If the teller senses you're holding something back — they may refuse "just in case".
• Going with an expired document. The passport has to be in date.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a passport to exchange €100 at a bureau?

Often not, but better to have one. No one is going to specifically refuse a small exchange without it, but if they ask — passport in hand.

What document does a tourist need?

A foreign passport. That's the primary non-resident document.

Can I exchange currency with a driving licence?

Usually no. A driving licence isn't accepted as an ID document for currency transactions.

What is the buletin de identitate?

Moldova's national ID — a plastic card with the citizen's photo and personal details.

Will they ask about the source of funds?

For a small or medium amount — no. For a large one (from 50,000 MDL equivalent) — they may.

Can you exchange without documents?

At some bureaus for a small amount — sometimes yes. For anything from 5,000 MDL — a document is almost always required.

What if the passport is expired?

Expired documents aren't accepted. Renew the passport before any serious financial transaction.

Identification for different types of client

Moldovan citizens. Primary document — buletin de identitate (national ID card). Alternative — foreign passport.

EU citizens (tourists or residents). Foreign passport. An EU country ID card is sometimes accepted for small amounts, but a passport is safer.

Third-country citizens. Foreign passport. Sometimes — a residence permit for Moldova or the EU.

Stateless persons / refugees. Refugee document, stateless person's ID. Terms can be stricter.

Diplomats. Diplomatic passport + accreditation. Separate terms.

Students residing temporarily in Moldova. Foreign passport + student residence permit.

People working in Moldova on a permit. Foreign passport + work permit.

Each category has its quirks, but the base rule is the same — bring your primary ID document.

What might raise a bank's eyebrows

A few cases where the bank may ask additional questions or run a more detailed ID check:

• Heavily repeated transactions at similar amounts by one client. Can look like "structuring" — splitting a big transaction to dodge thresholds.
• A mismatch between the client's appearance and the sum. A young person walking in with €50,000 may raise questions — that's normal KYC.
• Notes with suspicious markings. For example, perfectly new consecutive serial numbers from different people.
• Odd statements of purpose. "I don't know why I need this money" — a bad answer.
• Rushed and nervous client. Not criminal in itself, but it raises attention.

If you end up in one of these situations — stay calm and answer to the point. Most questions are cleared up by an ordinary conversation.

Bottom line

Documents for currency exchange in Moldova are a normal procedure, not a bank's whim. Keep your passport on you at all times, even for a small exchange. Large amounts need additional documents — source, purpose. Knowing the rules clears up 90% of exchange problems and turns the bank visit into a calm transaction rather than an attempt to "push through the bureaucracy".

Related reading: Where to exchange a large amount in Moldova, How to find the best exchange rate in Chisinau, Where to exchange currency in central Chisinau.