Moldova joins Single Euro Payments Area ahead of Ukraine
Photo: Moldova joins the Single Euro Payments Area (Getty Images)
As of October 6, Moldova has become a full member of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), according to the National Bank of Moldova.
"As of today, October 6, 2025, the Republic of Moldova becomes part of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) — an infrastructure that unites 41 European countries and offers citizens and companies fast, secure, and inexpensive, even fee-free, euro transfers," the statement reads.
Governor of the National Bank of Moldova Anca Dragu called the country’s accession to SEPA "a historic step on the path toward Europe."
According to her, from now on, Moldovan citizens can send and receive money in euros under the same conditions as EU residents — quickly and with minimal or no fees.
What is SEPA
SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) is a unified zone where all differences between domestic and international euro payments have been completely eliminated. The first SEPA-related changes came into effect in January 2008.
SEPA primarily covers standard bank transfers. Payment methods with additional optional features or services — such as payment systems for mobile phones or smart cards — are not directly included. However, the SEPA Instant Credit Transfer scheme facilitates the use of payment products on smart devices as well.
Joining SEPA will be a significant milestone in Ukraine’s European integration, opening new opportunities for the Ukrainian economy. In particular, it will help:
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Simplify access to the EU market for Ukrainian businesses.
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Reduce technical barriers for Ukrainian fintech companies entering the EU financial services market.
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Lower the cost of money transfers to and from EU countries.
In December of last year, it was reported that Ukraine is showing progress in the process of joining the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA).
