Money via SEPA and roaming “like at home”: two EU rules already in force and what to check before the holidays

Two changes stemming from closer ties with the European Union have already reached people’s pockets: euro transfers through SEPA, the Single Euro Payments Area, and roaming “like at home” in EU countries. Ahead of the holiday season, when many families receive money from relatives abroad and many Moldovans travel to and from the EU, it is worth knowing what the rules provide for and where costs may arise.

SEPA: what the first year shows

On 6 October 2026, the NBM published its review of the first year. Between October 2025 and September 2026, 1.2 million transactions were made through SEPA. The same transactions would have cost the economy around 17.7 million euros through the traditional SWIFT system, the central bank estimates. Through SEPA, the costs amounted to 1.3 million euros, and the difference of 16.4 million euros “remained” in the economy. According to the NBM, nearly 8 out of 10 cross-border euro transactions now go through SEPA, and the banking system processes around 1,877 more transactions per day.

“Whether we are talking about members of the diaspora sending money home or local companies doing business with partners in the European Union, SEPA provides a secure, fast and accessible channel for euro transfers,” NBM Governor Anca Dragu said in the bank’s statement, published in English and translated here.

SEPA brings together all EU countries, the United Kingdom, the countries of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican — 41 countries in total, according to the NBM. The process took almost two years: the application to join was signed on 30 January 2024, membership of the SEPA geographical area was approved on 6 March 2025, and operational connection took place on 6 October 2025. At the launch, eight banks in the Republic of Moldova had obtained SEPA participant status.

What to check when making euro transfers

• The transfer must be in euros, between IBAN accounts in SEPA countries. Payments in other currencies are not covered by the scheme.

• Ask your bank whether it is a SEPA participant and what fees it charges for standard or instant payments. The NBM advises customers to check the terms with the bank they use.

• Fees vary from bank to bank and may depend on the amount and the type of customer, an individual or a business. Compare the published rates before sending money.

• For those sending money from the EU: according to the NBM, a transfer to an account in Moldova is made under the same conditions as in the European Union.

The NBM’s figures on savings are estimates by the central bank and compare the actual costs through SEPA with the costs assumed for SWIFT. The statement does not specify how many of the beneficiaries are individuals and how many are businesses.

Roaming “like at home”: how it works

From 1 January 2026, the Republic of Moldova is part of the EU’s “Roam Like at Home” area, after aligning its legislation with European roaming rules. The European Commission confirmed the extension, which applies in both directions: EU citizens pay domestic rates in Moldova, while subscribers from Moldova pay domestic rates in EU countries. The National Agency for Regulation in Communications (ARCOM) says the regime applies subject to the fair use policy, in accordance with Law No. 81/2025 on roaming between the Republic of Moldova and EU countries.

In practice, the minutes, text messages and data included in a plan are used in the EU just as they are at home. Calls to numbers in Moldova, the country being visited or another EU country are deducted from domestic minutes, while calls and text messages received while roaming in the EU are free, ARCOM explains. Usually, users do not need to activate anything, but some tariff plans are for domestic use only and do not include roaming at all.

Where costs may arise

• Fair use: the regime is designed for occasional travel. If, over four consecutive months, you spend more time roaming in the EU than at home and use more services there, your operator may warn you. You have at least two weeks to provide evidence of your ties to Moldova or change your usage.

• Capped surcharges (excluding VAT): in 2026, 0.019 euros/minute for outgoing calls, 0.002 euros/minute for incoming calls, 0.003 euros/text message and 1.1 euros/GB. In 2027, the cap for data falls to 1.0 euro/GB.

• Unlimited data plans: the operator may set a data limit for roaming in the EU, calculated using a formula based on the price of the plan.

• Ships and aircraft: onboard networks are not covered by the regime, and charges may be very high. ARCOM recommends turning off data roaming or switching to airplane mode.

• Outside the EU (Ukraine, Turkey, the United States, the United Kingdom), the operator’s roaming rates apply. Extending the regime to Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway is voluntary.

If you have a problem with how the rules are applied, contact your operator first. If the issue is not resolved, you can file a petition with ARCOM.

Why it matters for accession

Both measures are part of the Republic of Moldova’s gradual integration into the EU single market. The European Commission describes the extension of roaming as “a step” in Moldova’s gradual economic integration into the internal market. The NBM presents connection to SEPA as part of the modernisation of national payment infrastructure, alongside the MIA instant payment system.