Recent statistics from Moldova's border crossings indicate heightened activity, with over 64,000 crossings reported within the last 24 hours alone. This surge consists mainly of foreign nationals entering the country, marking significant trends concerning Moldova's border management and immigration policies.
According to the Police of the Border, there were 64,758 total border crossings, with 40,035 of these entries to the Republic of Moldova. A considerable portion involved foreigners, totaling 42,533 crossings, compared to 22,225 crossings by Moldovan citizens. The busiest border was noted to be with Romania, which recorded 37,306 crossings, followed by the Moldova-Ukraine border with 14,314 crossings and 13,138 crossing via air.
The checkpoint traffic details reveal specific figures: Chișinău International Airport saw 13,138 crossings; Leușeni checkpoint accounted for 15,238 crossings; Sculeni had 8,382 crossings; Giurgiulești recorded 3,450 crossings; and Otaci recorded 2,960 crossings.
Notably, the border authorities reported 13,751 crossings involving Ukrainian citizens, with 6,880 entering Moldova. Among these, 2,336 crossings were minors. These statistics reflect the continuing movement of individuals due to the regional dynamics and the war situation affecting Ukraine.
Alongside the figures of movement, there were also refusals of entry recorded at the borders. Within this last 24-hour period, Moldova's border checkpoint authorities denied 27 foreign individuals the right to cross the state border, showcasing the stringent control measures implemented to manage entry.
On December 23, 2024, border police across the country processed entries and exits for approximately 201,700 people, both Romanian citizens and foreigners, alongside over 59,200 vehicles. From this, the data highlighted 126,000 persons who entered Romania, and 36,800 vehicles were reported entering the country through terrestrial, aerial, and maritime checkpoints.
For Ukrainian nationals, Romanian border authorities have been managing the crossing process since February 10, 2022, with over 10.8 million Ukrainian citizens reported entering Romania by December 23, 2024. These numbers are particularly telling and indicate the significant migration waves prompted by the conflict.
Authorities are also providing information related to waiting times at border checkpoints through the 'Trafic online' application. Further measures are noted, starting March 31, 2024, where border officials at airports and seaports will not conduct regular checks for individuals traveling to the Schengen area. During this time, they will implement selected policing actions to verify identities and legal status, alongside efforts aimed at combating illegal activities.
Recent enforcement actions resulted in 167 illegalities reported, including 27 criminal acts and 140 contraventions. These led to fines totaling 100,400 lei and the confiscation of goods worth about 1,062,500 lei to protect consumer rights. Particular emphasis is placed on legal compliance as Romania continues to uphold its border security standards.
Romanian border police also reported refusal of entry for 14 foreign nationals failing to meet legal requirements, along with 12 Romanian citizens denied exit for similar legal violations.
Improvements at border crossing infrastructures are also highlighted, as repairs are currently being made on the Bulgarian side of the Friendship Bridge between Ruse and Giurgiu, which may temporarily slow traffic for up to 12 hours each day. Weekly coordination efforts continue with Bulgarian authorities to facilitate smooth operations and prevent long waiting times.
Overall, the statistics and enforcement actions taken by Moldova and Romania not only reflect the operational challenges at the borders but also underline the importance of maintaining security and immigration control amid fluctuated crossings and the dynamic situation with Ukraine. This level of border activity continues to define both countries' border services, with existing measures being fine-tuned to cope with the intense flows.
