In the bustling corridors and highways that mark the borders of Romania and Moldova, the past two days have been anything but routine. With tens of thousands of people on the move and security checks ramped up, border authorities on both sides are grappling with a complex mix of legitimate travel, attempted illegal crossings, and the ongoing flow of refugees and migrants. The numbers alone tell a striking story of mobility, vigilance, and the ever-present challenge of keeping borders both open and secure.
According to the Moldovan Border Police, the past 24 hours saw a staggering 67,260 individual crossings at the country’s border points. The most heavily trafficked entryways included International Chișinău Airport, which alone accounted for 20,741 crossings, followed by Leușeni (8,166), Sculeni (6,558), Otaci (5,304), and Palanca (5,200). These figures, reported by Radio Chișinău, underscore how Moldova remains a vital transit hub in Eastern Europe, with travelers streaming in and out for business, family, and, in some cases, more desperate reasons.
But not everyone made it through. In a statement, the Moldovan Border Police confirmed, “In the last 24 hours, on the entry direction into the Republic of Moldova, authorization to cross the state border was refused to 26 foreign citizens.” These refusals, while a small fraction of total crossings, highlight the scrutiny at Moldova’s borders—a scrutiny that extends not just to paperwork, but also to behavior and intent.
Illegal border activity also remains a concern. Over the same period, Moldovan authorities recorded four cases of illegal border crossing. There were no attempts with falsified documents, but six instances where individuals violated rules on stay and entry, and eleven more where people flouted the complex regulations governing border zones and crossing procedures. While these numbers might seem modest compared to the overall flow, they signal ongoing vigilance and the need for constant attention to evolving tactics by those seeking to bypass official controls.
To help legitimate travelers avoid getting caught in the crush, the Moldovan Border Police have issued recommendations for alternative crossing points. For those heading toward Leușeni-Albița, alternatives include Leova-Bumbăta or Cahul-Oancea. Travelers bound for Sculeni-Sculeni are advised to consider Costești-Stânca or Lipcani-Rădăuți Prut, while those approaching the Palanca-Maiaki-Udobnoe checkpoint might opt for Tudora-Starokazacie instead. For those wanting up-to-the-minute information, the authorities point to their real-time web cameras at https://border.gov.md/camere-web and a dedicated Green Line at 022 259 717 for questions.
Just across the border, the Romanian Border Police have reported similarly high volumes and a robust set of enforcement actions. On September 11, 2025, border officers processed approximately 77,500 people and over 16,800 vehicles at Romania’s external borders, which include crossings with Serbia, Moldova, and Ukraine, as well as maritime and air routes from outside the Schengen area. Of these, 39,844 people and 8,500 vehicles were registered entering Romania, according to official data provided by the Romanian Border Police.
One statistic stands out for its sheer scale: since February 10, 2022, more than 13 million Ukrainian citizens have entered Romania. This figure, confirmed by the Romanian Border Police, is a stark reminder of the ongoing impact of the war in Ukraine. The steady flow of refugees and travelers seeking safety or opportunity continues to shape border dynamics and the resources needed to manage them.
Romania’s border regime has undergone significant changes this year. As of January 1, 2025, internal border controls with Hungary and Bulgaria—both Schengen members—have been eliminated. This means that travelers moving between these countries and Romania no longer need to stop at border booths for document checks. However, as the Romanian Border Police make clear, “Romanian border police still conduct random and unsystematic checks within 30 km of the internal border to verify identity and legal status and to prevent illegal acts.” These checks are carried out in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, using mobile terminals linked to both national and Schengen databases. In the last 24 hours alone, more than 15,200 such checks were conducted using the eDAC application.
Enforcement remains a priority. Over the most recent 24-hour period, Romanian border officers detected 117 illegal acts—57 classified as crimes and 60 as administrative offenses. These violations led to fines totaling 47,560 lei and the confiscation of goods worth approximately 601,218 lei, all seized to protect consumers and prevent illicit trade. Additionally, “Entry was refused to 36 foreign citizens who did not meet legal conditions, and exit was refused to 11 Romanian citizens for various legal reasons,” according to the Romanian Border Police. These figures reflect a careful balance between facilitating legitimate movement and upholding the law.
For travelers, the Romanian Border Police offer practical support, including an online traffic application at http://www.politiadefrontiera.ro/traficonline/ that provides real-time information on wait times at border points. The agency emphasizes its commitment to “facilitating border crossing for legitimate travelers and providing support to citizens in any situation.”
The broader context for these developments is a region in flux. With war in Ukraine, changing Schengen rules, and persistent efforts by some to evade legal controls, border authorities face a moving target. The elimination of routine checks at Romania’s Schengen borders is a major shift, but it comes with the caveat of continued vigilance through random checks and coordinated enforcement. For Moldova, the challenge is to manage high volumes of traffic while preventing illegal crossings and ensuring that only those who meet legal requirements are allowed entry.
Both countries’ border agencies stress their ongoing cooperation with other law enforcement bodies and their commitment to adapting to new challenges. The Moldovan Border Police, for example, highlight the importance of alternative routes and real-time information to ease congestion and frustration for travelers. The Romanian Border Police, meanwhile, underscore their daily efforts to “detect and sanction persons violating the law,” all while maintaining a welcoming posture toward those crossing for legitimate reasons.
As the region continues to experience high mobility, shifting regulations, and the aftershocks of conflict and migration, the work of border officials on both sides is unlikely to get any easier. Their efforts, though often unseen by the vast majority of travelers, remain a crucial part of keeping borders both open and secure—no small feat in these unpredictable times.