Payment methods in Moldova

Europe

6methods

2banks

MIA instant payments system launched 2024, enabling real-time transfers via phone number/QR code; one in three Moldovans has used it

Market takeaways

MIA instant payments system launched 2024, enabling real-time transfers via phone number/QR code; one in three Moldovans has used it
Moldova became an operational SEPA member in October 2025, enabling EU-equivalent euro payment conditions
3.29 million cards in circulation at end-2024; virtual card adoption grew 118.7% versus 2023
E-money payments grew 65% year-on-year in 2024, totaling 3.5 million transactions worth EUR 148M
Mobile and internet banking app users grew 22% year-on-year in 2024

Population

2.6M

Online population

~2.1M (~80%)

Banked population

~65%

Credit card population

~40%

Payment method breakdown

Cash40%
Card35%
Bank Transfer / MIA15%
E-Wallet8%
Other2%

Card scheme breakdown

Visa50%
Mastercard45%
American Express1%
Local Schemes3%
Other1%

Cross-border e-commerce

Market data coming soon.

Featured payment methods in Moldova

Popular options based on coverage and prominence in this market.

Visa / Mastercard

The leading card networks in Moldova. Four acquiring banks provide internet merchant services: MoldovaAgroIndBank, Victoria Bank, MoldIndConBank, and FinComBank. Virtual card adoption grew 118.7% year-on-year in 2024.

Paymaster (RunPay) / Paynet / BPay

Five licensed e-money issuers operate in Moldova: Paymaster (RunPay), Paynet, BPay, QIWI-M, and FinTecly. These provide digital wallets, utility bill payment, and e-money services for the domestic market.

SEPA Transfer (from October 2025)

Moldova became an operational SEPA member in October 2025, enabling fast, secure, low-cost euro payments equivalent to EU conditions. In 2024, approximately 830,000 transactions were made between Moldova and SEPA countries totaling €11.8 billion annually.

Moldcell / Mobile Carrier Payments

Moldcell (telecoms) holds an e-money license and offers mobile carrier-based payment services, enabling mobile subscribers to pay for digital services through their phone bill.

Cash

Still widely used, particularly in rural areas and among older demographics. Despite rapid digital adoption, cash remains prevalent for everyday small transactions.

MIA Instant Payments

Moldova's national instant payment system launched in 2024 by the National Bank of Moldova. Transfers are free up to MDL 10,000/month, with a max fee of MDL 5 above that. Uses phone numbers as identifiers and supports QR code payments. Over 750,000 users and 13 million transactions as of early 2026, with 1 in 3 Moldovans having used it at least once.