Giurgiulesti — Galati is the checkpoint in the far south of Moldova, where the borders of Moldova, Romania and Ukraine meet. All our trips to Bulgaria go through it. We cross it twice a week in each direction and know what to expect.
What it looks like
First the Moldovan check: the border guard collects passports, and customs may ask you to open the boot. Then the bridge over the Prut and the Romanian check — that's already entry into the EU. Passengers usually stay in the van and are asked to step out only for fingerprints and a photo.
How long the wait is
In winter there are hardly any queues; in summer there are more. But an eight-seat minibus passes the checks much faster than a big bus: we have eight passports and eight bags, not sixty — almost like a car.
Fingerprints and photo
At the Schengen entry, citizens of non-EU countries now have their fingerprints and photo taken. The first entry takes a few minutes per person; subsequent ones are faster. More — in the article new Schengen entry rules.
What to prepare
- Passport in your hand, not in your suitcase
- EU passport or temporary protection document, if you have one
- Documents for children and pets
- Cash over 10,000 € must be declared
The second border
The Romania — Bulgaria border is simple: both countries are in Schengen, so we pass it noticeably faster than the first one.
Related
Information on this page is current as of October 27, 2026 · Transport Moldova Bulgaria — passenger minibus shuttle Moldova — Bulgaria since 2018 · +373 78 820 613