Starting today, the Republic of Moldova is officially an operational member of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) — a system that connects 41 European countries and allows euro transfers with the same cost, safety, and speed standards as within the European Union, reports IPN.
The National Bank of Moldova (NBM) highlights that joining the SEPA brings immediate benefits for citizens, the diaspora, and the business community. Euro transfers will now be faster and significantly cheaper, with fees similar to those applied in EU member states. Until now, international transfers could cost between €20 and €200; under the SEPA, the cost will drop to just a few euros — or even be free, depending on each bank’s policy.
“Moldova’s integration into the SEPA is a historic moment for our national financial system and confirms the country’s European path. This achievement removes administrative barriers and brings European standards directly into the daily lives of Moldovan citizens and businesses,”
— Anca Dragu, Governor of the National Bank of Moldova.
Currently, eight commercial banks in Moldova have obtained the SEPA participant status, allowing them to process euro payments under European system rules. More financial institutions are expected to join in the coming months, gradually expanding access to modern payment services.
For Moldovan companies, the SEPA membership translates into lower transaction costs and easier access to the European market. In 2024 alone, around 830,000 euro payments worth €11.8 billion were made between Moldova and the SEPA countries — transactions that will now be processed more efficiently and at lower cost.
At a macroeconomic level, Moldova’s integration into the SEPA is expected to generate annual savings of around €20 million, funds that can be redirected toward investment and economic growth.
Governor Anca Dragu emphasized that this milestone reflects a joint effort between national institutions and European partners:
“The SEPA is about people, trust, and the future — about families who will receive their money on time, and about businesses that can operate in Europe with the same simplicity and security as in any EU country.”
Moldova began the SEPA accession process in early 2024, and the European Payments Council formally approved the country’s inclusion in March 2025.