Border crossings in Eastern Europe have surged, with authorities in both the Republic of Moldova and Romania reporting an extraordinary volume of travelers and heightened vigilance at their frontiers as summer draws to a close. Over the span of just 24 hours, tens of thousands of people and thousands of vehicles moved across these borders, reflecting the region’s status as a crucial transit hub—and the complex challenges that come with managing such flows.
According to Radio Chișinău, Moldova’s state border was crossed more than 90,434 times between August 31 and September 1, 2025. The busiest points included the Chișinău International Airport, which alone saw 26,648 crossings, followed by Leușeni with 12,143, Sculeni with 10,025, Cahul with 6,434, and Palanca with 5,707. Border authorities faced the daunting task of balancing accessibility for legitimate travelers with strict enforcement of national and international regulations.
Romania, sharing extensive borders with Moldova, Ukraine, and Serbia, as well as being a gateway to the Schengen Area, experienced even heavier traffic. As reported by the Romanian Border Police, on August 31, 2025, about 115,600 people—both Romanian citizens and foreigners—crossed the country’s external borders, accompanied by over 23,200 vehicles. Of these, 55,967 people and 11,830 vehicles entered Romania, underscoring the country’s role as a major entry point into the European Union.
But these impressive numbers only tell part of the story. Behind the scenes, border police in both countries were busy addressing a range of challenges, from routine checks to more serious violations. In Moldova, 15 foreign nationals were refused entry after failing to meet the legal requirements for crossing the state border. The Moldovan Border Police reported three cases of illegal border crossings, one incident involving a false document, nine instances of non-compliance with stay and entry rules, and 17 violations related to the various regimes and rules governing border zones and crossing points.
Meanwhile, Romanian authorities were equally vigilant. In the same 24-hour period, they detected 135 illegal acts, including 64 crimes and 71 contraventions. The result? Fines totaling 46,346 lei and the confiscation of goods valued at approximately 1,154,900 lei, which were prevented from reaching the market to protect consumers. In addition, 26 foreign citizens were denied entry for not meeting legal conditions, and 13 Romanian citizens were stopped from leaving the country for various legal reasons.
“We are permanently on duty to facilitate border crossing for participants in traffic and to offer support to citizens in any situation,” the Romanian Border Police emphasized in their official statement. This commitment is matched by their Moldovan counterparts, who also highlighted the importance of real-time information and public transparency. To help travelers avoid congestion and delays, Moldova’s Border Police recommended alternative crossing points for the busiest routes and provided a web portal—border.gov.md/camere-web—for real-time updates on border traffic conditions. For those with questions, the Border Police Green Line (022 259 717) was made available for direct assistance.
Both countries have adapted their border management strategies to contemporary realities. For instance, since January 1, 2025, Romania has eliminated internal border controls with Hungary and Bulgaria, allowing for seamless movement between these countries and other Schengen members—except for Cyprus and Ireland. While this step removes the need for document checks at control booths, Romanian border police still conduct random checks within 30 kilometers of the internal border, using mobile terminals connected to both national and Schengen databases. In the last 24 hours alone, more than 13,400 such checks were performed via the eDAC application, demonstrating a blend of openness and security.
One of the most striking features of the current border landscape is the ongoing movement of Ukrainian citizens. Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, Romania has processed a staggering 12,901,294 Ukrainian citizens entering its territory as of August 31, 2025. This influx has required Romanian authorities to maintain a delicate balance between humanitarian assistance and the enforcement of national and EU regulations. Border control procedures for Ukrainian citizens remain in line with both national and EU standards, ensuring that security and legal requirements are met while responding to the needs of people fleeing conflict or seeking refuge.
As the summer travel season reaches its peak, congestion at key crossing points has become a familiar sight. To mitigate delays, Moldovan authorities have advised travelers at Leușeni-Albița to consider alternative points like Leova-Bumbăta (open from 08:00 to 20:00) or Cahul-Oancea. Those heading for Sculeni-Sculeni were encouraged to opt for Costești-Stânca or Lipcani-Rădăuți Prut, while Palanca-Maiaki-Udobnoe travelers could choose Tudora-Starokazacie as an alternative. These recommendations are aimed at distributing traffic more evenly and ensuring smoother journeys for all.
In addition to managing the sheer volume of travelers, border police face the ongoing challenge of enforcing laws and regulations. The detection of illegal crossings, the use of false documents, and violations of stay and entry rules highlight the persistent risks associated with border management. Both Moldova and Romania have responded with firm measures, including the imposition of fines, the confiscation of goods, and the denial of entry or exit for those not in compliance with the law.
The collaboration between border authorities and other agencies—such as police, gendarmerie, immigration, and customs—has been key to maintaining order. Joint efforts enable comprehensive checks, rapid response to incidents, and the ability to address emerging threats, whether related to smuggling, human trafficking, or other criminal activities. The use of advanced technology, such as mobile terminals and integrated databases, has further enhanced the effectiveness of these operations.
For travelers, the experience at the border can be both efficient and reassuring, provided they comply with the necessary legal requirements. The availability of online resources and direct communication channels reflects a shift toward greater transparency and user-friendliness, even as security remains a top priority.
As Eastern Europe continues to serve as a crossroads for people and goods, the role of border police in Moldova and Romania remains as vital as ever. Their daily work not only safeguards national and regional security but also underpins the freedom of movement that many now take for granted.
