How can a newcomer open a bank account in Moldova in 2026?

Expect an original passport, proof of Chișinău address (lease or host papers), and a confirmed IDNP certificate from IGM when the branch treats you as a foreign client: Get an IDNP. Residence permits strengthen the file for long-stay KYC; MICB’s public current-account notes list a passport or residence permit plus other documents as needed. Bring source-of-funds evidence for remote salaries or foreign transfers so compliance does not stall after the first deposit.

maib’s fully online retail opening path is for Moldovan citizens with a national ID, so most foreigners should book a branch appointment instead. English help varies by desk; Romanian or Russian still appears on many forms. Keep passport names identical across every page: Apply for a residence permit.

Open MDL for local rent and utilities, then add euro or multi-currency options if your bank offers them for SEPA and foreign income. Moldova’s SEPA participation (from late 2025) reduced friction on many euro transfers with EU banks, yet arrival timing and intermediary fees still need a test transfer before you cancel your home account. Link the account to Factura.md or bank apps for Termoelectrica, StarNet, and other bills: Utilities, internet, and transport.

Card machines are common in Centru; keep some cash for markets and smaller shops: Groceries and eating out. Business SRL accounts for founders follow a heavier KYC pack than personal retail accounts. Deposit insurance ceilings and product fees sit on each bank’s tariff sheet; compare before you treat the first “yes” as the final bank.