Published: 20.10.2026
Moldova’s law liberalising foreign-exchange operations expands the National Bank’s powers to reject an operation if it creates risks related to international sanctions or the termination of correspondent-banking relationships. At the same time, the law gradually raises the thresholds for certain transactions that can be conducted without BNM authorisation.
According to sources, foreign-exchange liberalisation does not remove sanctions-related and banking controls: the BNM may refuse authorisation for operations that create such risks. This matters mainly to people relocating assets, opening accounts, or making large cross-border transactions through Moldova’s financial system. Most currency procedures are being simplified, but banks and the regulator retain the ability to assess transactions in light of sanctions concerns. The development is worth watching for anyone planning substantial transfers or relying on Moldovan bank accounts for international payments; its direct impact on ordinary day-to-day payments is limited.