The visa-free system applies to travel to the territories of all EU countries, except for Ireland. Visa-free access to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland is also possible, as non-EU members of Schengen. The visa exemption gives a right of entry and short stay, but this right is subject to basic conditions. Countries have the right to refuse entry into, and short stays in, their territories if one or more of the Schengen entry conditions are not met. For stays not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period, these entry and short-stay conditions are the following:

• To be in possession of a valid travel document or documents authorising them to cross the border.
• To be able to justify the purpose and conditions of the intended stay, and to have sufficient means of subsistence, both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return.
• Not to be a person for whom an alert has been issued in the Schengen Information System for the purposes of refusing entry.
• Not to be considered a threat to public policy, internal security, public health or the international relations of any of the member countries.

There is no border control between Schengen countries. There are still border controls between the Schengen countries and Cyprus, Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania. Citizens of the Republic of Moldova are obliged to always carry their passport with them at all times during their stay, as national laws may prescribe occasional border controls within the Schengen Area.