SIM Cards in Moldova: The Best Prepaid Plans | 2024 Guide

Moldova – known for its wine, architecture & for being an inexpensive travel destination.

It may also be (in)famous for the fact that the country did not have a president for three years.

Belgium is shaking and crying because its government formation took a little more than 1.6 years.

Moving on, as a mostly argiculture-based economy, the country is not visited as much as its neighboring countries.

This is a shame, as Moldova has a few unique characters.

But it is understandable – both Romania and Ukraine have much more to offer. So does the rest of Europe as a whole.

So, what can you do in Moldova?

Of course, you better be drinking its wine if you are into it.

I heard the wine is tasty (I do not like wine, so I have to rely on reviews from others 🤪).

The Stephen the Great Central Park is a much visit too.

The Triumphal Arch will remind you of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris (France), but it is still cute.

Let's not forget about the many Fortresses, like Bendery Fortress and Soroca Fortress.

Overall, you should not have to be bored while in Moldova.

And if you do – the neighboring countries are less than two hours away 🤓.

What you should not do, to stay within your Moldova travel budget, is roam internationally in Moldova.

International roaming can be expensive – local SIM cards, like Moldovan ones, are cheaper options.

What is even better is that Moldova has one of the lowest mobile data rates in Europe.

You can get a Moldovan SIM card for 10 MDL (0.55 USD), 29 MDL (1.60 USD), or 50 MDL (2.80 USD) from Moldcell, 29 MDL from Orange, or 39 MDL (2.20 USD) from Moldtelecom (formerly Unité) in their stores and from resellers, including gas stations. SIM cards are also sold at Chișinău International Airport (KIV).

Not too pricey, right? And all new SIM cards come with generous starter bonuses.

You may not even need to purchase a data-featured plan with these bonuses.

In this guide, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Moldova. Let's go.

Original publication: 21^st of March 2020. Last updated: 1^st of March 2024.

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Table of Contents

What is the Best SIM Card in Moldova?

If you want to buy the best SIM card in Moldova, I recommend going with Orange. It is, overall, the best mobile operator in the country. Consider Moldtelecom (formerly Unité) for more generous allowances for worse network performance.

Moldova has three mobile operators offering prepaid services easily accessible to travelers:

• Orange Moldova
• Moldcell
• Moldtelecom (formerly Unité)

Anyone living in or visiting Moldova can buy a Maldovian SIM card from Orange, Moldcell & Moldtelecom (formerly Unité) with no restrictions.

Where Can You Buy a Moldovan SIM Card (+Prices)?

You can get a Moldovan SIM card in Orange, Moldcell & Moldtelecom (formerly Unité). Resellers, like post offices, newsstands & grocery stores, also sell SIM cards. Some airports may sell (tourist) SIM cards (at higher prices).

You can expect to pay the following for Moldovan SIM cards:

• Orange Moldova: 29 MDL
• Moldcell: 10 MDL (regular), 29 MDL (regular) & 50 MDL (data-only)
• Moldtelecom (formerly Unité): 39 MDL

Be aware that SIM cards sold at airports can be more expensive than the prices mentioned earlier.

Use the Wise Currency Converter tool (free) for up-to-date MDL (Moldovan Leu) to your currency (let's say NZD – New Zealand Dollar) exchange rates.

For reference, below are some exchange rates between MDL and USD (US Dollars):

• 1 MDL = 0.055 USD
• 10 MDL = 0.55 USD
• 100 MDL = 5.60 USD
• 1000 MDL = 55.85 USD

For any other currency, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

(Travel) eSIMs for Moldova

The use of (travel) eSIMs has exploded in recent years.

Not only do more phones have eSIM capability (some US-sold iPhones are eSIM-only), but the number of providers adopting technology has proliferated as well.

This includes local mobile operators offering eSIM and platforms selling eSIMs (travel eSIMs).

If you want a local Moldovan eSIM, you can get one from Orange Moldova & Moldcell.

Many eSIM providers have eSIMs for Moldova and even global eSIMs, which I discuss in my Moldova eSIM buying guide.

Here is a quick introduction to your Moldova travel eSIM options:

• Airalo: Soroca Mobile (Moldova only) & Discover+ (130 countries worldwide + up to 200 worldwide minutes & 200 worldwide SMS)
• Alosim: Moldova
• Holafly: Moldova – unlimited data eSIMs
• Nomad: Moldova & Global (109 or 139 countries, depending on the variant)

Use these discount codes when getting one of these travel eSIMs:

• Airalo: APR15 for 15% off (if you have never bought an Airalo eSIM before). Otherwise, APR10 for 10% off (for existing users) – only the first 3000 users can redeem either discount code)
• Alosim: PTW for 5% off (as many times as you wish for as many eSIMs as you want)
• Holafly: PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off (as many times as you wish for as many eSIMs as you want)
• Nomad: ADU123 for 3 USD off (on your first-ever Nomad order only)

If you want to know about all the prices, data options & covered countries (for the regional and global eSIMs), check out my Moldova eSIM buying guide.

Moldovan Prepaid SIM Cards Explored

Below, I will guide you through Orange Moldova, Moldcell & Moldtelecom (formerly Unité), and go through:

• Background information
• Mobile coverage
• SIM card types, prices, and availability
• Recharge/top-up information
• Combo plans, data plans, and special packs (such as social media packs) 

Let's see what Moldovan mobile operators can offer us.

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Orange Moldova

Orange Moldova, just Orange, is the largest mobile operator in Moldova.

Orange, as a company, is active in other countries in Africa, the Caribbean, Europe & the Middle East.

Orange uses the following frequencies:

• 2G: 900 MHz & 1800 MHz
• 3G: 2100 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20), 1800 MHz (Band 3) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)

This is what you will learn about Orange:

* Coverage
* How to Get an Orange SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings

Coverage – Orange Moldova

Orange has the best coverage throughout Moldova.

4G/LTE is available almost everywhere.

Below is Orange's coverage map produced by Speedtest:

However, click here to see Orange's official coverage map.

SIM Card Price – Orange Moldova

You can buy an Orange SIM card, called Cartela Orange PrePay, for 29 MDL with 29 MDL credit, 10 GB, and 250 local minutes for 15 days (if you dial *888*0#) in Orange stores and from resellers, including grocery stores, kiosks & gas stations. Orange SIM cards are also sold at Chișinău International Airport (KIV) – sometimes, they are free.

You have to make a call to activate your Orange SIM card.

Dial *88# or *99# to see your Orange phone number.

It is also possible to get an Orange eSIM for the same price as a regular SIM card.

You can consider getting a travel eSIM for Moldova, which can, in specific scenarios, be cheaper than getting a SIM card from Orange.

Especially if you get a Europe-wide eSIM (for when you visit at least two or more supported European countries) or a global eSIM (for frequent travelers visiting multiple continents).

In my Moldova eSIM buying guide, I analyze various eSIM options of eSIM providers I have tested extensively worldwide.

But I will introduce them here quickly:

• Airalo: Soroca Mobile (Moldova only) & Discover+ (130 countries worldwide + up to 200 worldwide minutes & 200 worldwide SMS) – use code APR15 (15% off – first-time users only) or APR10 (10% off)
• Alosim: Moldova – use code PTW (5% off – no limits)
• Holafly: Moldova – all variants in both options include unlimited data + up to 120 Europe-wide calls – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ (5% off – no limits)
• Nomad: Moldova & Global (109 or 139 countries, depending on the variant) – use code ADU123 (3 USD off – first-time users only)

Once again, check out my Moldova eSIM buying guide to learn more about these eSIM options.

For now, I will continue with Orange.

Note that Orange offers VoLTE (Voice over LTE (4G)) if your phone supports it and if you have enabled it in the settings.

Oh, you can also use VoWiFI (Voice over WiFi).

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Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Orange Moldova

Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Orange Moldova

Orange has four data-featured prepaid plans:

• Opţiuni Nelimitat/Unlimited Options (combo)
• Combo Optiunea/Combo Options
• Extra Optiunea/Extra Options (combo)
• Opţiuni Internet/Internet Options

All Orange plans can be activated by dialing *100#.

I will list all the prices in MDL (Moldovan Leu).

To convert MDL to your currency (let's say USD) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.

Opţiuni Nelimitat (Unlimited Options) – Orange Moldova

The Opţiuni Nelimitat (Unlimited Options) are combo plans with data (without 5G NR access) and minutes.

Opţiuni Nelimitat can be activated by dialing *100#:

Price	Data	Local Minutes	Validity
10 MDL	N/A	Unlimited	1 day
50 MDL	1 GB	Unlimited	15 days
150 MDL	20 GB	Unlimited	7 days

¹ for automatic reactivation

Combo Optiunea (Combo Options) – Orange Moldova

The Combo Optiunea (Combo Options) are, as the name implies, combo plans with data (without 5G NR access) and minutes.

Combo Optiunea can be activated by dialing *100#:

Price	Data	Local Minutes	Validity
30 MDL	2 GB	100 minutes	15 days
50 MDL	10 GB	250 minutes	15 days
60 MDL	15 GB	500 minutes	15 days

Extra Optiunea (Extra Options) – Orange Moldova

The Extra Optiunea (Extra Options) are combo plans with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.

Extra Optiunea can be activated by dialing *100#:

Price	Data	Local Minutes	Local SMS	Validity
40 MDL	500 MB	60 minutes	Shared with call allowance	30 days
60 MDL	1 GB	100 minutes	Shared with call allowance	30 days

Opţiuni Internet (Internet Options) – Orange Moldova

The Opţiuni Internet (Internet Options) are, as the name implies, data plans (without 5G NR access).

Opţiuni Internet can be activated by dialing *100#:

Price	Data	Validity
10 MDL	1 GB	1 day
10 MDL	2 GB	1 day
25 MDL 1	2 GB	7 days

¹ for automatic reactivation

APN/Internet Settings – Orange Moldova

• Name: Orange IMO
• APN: wap.orange.md

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

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Moldcell

Moldcell is the second-largest mobile operator in Moldova.

It used to be part of the Telia Company (group), from Sweden, until the Telia Company decided to leave various markets in Asia and Europe (except for the Baltics and the Nordics).

Now, Moldcell is entirely owned by CG Corp Global (hence, you see ^CG in Moldcell's logo).

Moldcell was the first mobile operator to introduce 4G/LTE in Moldova.

Moldcell uses the following frequencies:

• 2G: 900 MHz
• 3G: 2100 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 800 MHz (Band 20), 1800 MHz (Band 3) & 2600 MHz (Band 7)

This is what you will learn about Moldcell:

* Coverage
* How to Get a Moldcell SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings

Coverage – Moldcell

Moldcell has extensive coverage throughout Moldova.

However, 4G/LTE reception is mainly concentrated around the big cities.

Below is Moldcell's coverage map produced by Speedtest:

SIM Card Price – Moldcell

You can buy a Moldcell SIM card, called Cartelă Moldcell, for 10 MDL with 2 GB of data and 100 local minutes or 29 MDL with 20 GB of data and 250 local minutes in Moldcell stores and from resellers, including grocery stores, kiosks & gas stations. Moldcell SIM cards may be sold at Chișinău International Airport (KIV).

You can also get the data-only SIM card, called Internet ca Lumea, for 50 MDL with 4 GB of 30 days.

This is also the only plan available for the Internet ca Lumea SIM card.

It is also possible to get a Moldcell eSIM for the same price as a regular SIM card.

You can consider getting a travel eSIM for Moldova, which can, in specific scenarios, be cheaper than getting a SIM card from Moldcell.

Especially if you get a Europe-wide eSIM (for when you visit at least two or more supported European countries) or a global eSIM (for frequent travelers visiting multiple continents).

In my Moldova eSIM buying guide, I analyze various eSIM options of eSIM providers I have tested extensively worldwide.

But I will introduce them here quickly:

• Airalo: Soroca Mobile (Moldova only) & Discover+ (130 countries worldwide + up to 200 worldwide minutes & 200 worldwide SMS) – use code APR15 (15% off – first-time users only) or APR10 (10% off)
• Alosim: Moldova – use code PTW (5% off – no limits)
• Holafly: Moldova – all variants in both options include unlimited data + up to 120 Europe-wide calls – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ (5% off – no limits)
• Nomad: Moldova & Global (109 or 139 countries, depending on the variant) – use code ADU123 (3 USD off – first-time users only)

Once again, check out my Moldova eSIM buying guide to learn more about these eSIM options.

But let's continue with Moldcell for now.

Currently, it is unclear whether Moldcell offers VoLTE and VoWiFi or not.

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Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Moldcell

Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Moldcell

Moldcell has four data-featured prepaid plans:

• Optiunea #bum (combo)
• Internet Plans
• Internet Add-Ons
• Social Media Plan

All Moldcell plans can be activated by dialing *202#.

I will list all the prices in MDL (Moldovan Leu).

To convert MDL to your currency (let's say EUR) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.

Optiunea #bum – Moldcell

The Optiunea #bum (Option #bum) is a combo plan with (without 5G NR access) 300 MB; 1 GB for Facebook, Odnoklassniki, Twitter & VK; unlimited on-net minutes; 30 off-net minutes & 300 local SMS – all for 30 days.

It costs 30 MDL and can be activated by dialing *222*2*0*4#

Price	Data	Social Data 1	On-Net Minutes	Off-Net Minutes	Local SMS	Validity	Activation Code
30 MDL	300 MB	1 GB	Unlimited	30 minutes	300 SMS	30 days	*222*2*0*4#

¹ for Facebook, Odnoklassniki, Twitter & VK

Internet Plans – Moldcell

The Internet Plans are, as the name implies, data bundles (without 5G NR access).

Internet Plans can be activated by dialing *202#:

Price	Data	Validity
10 MDL	200 MB	1 day
20 MDL	250 MB	30 days
25 MDL	1 GB	7 days
50 MDL	1 GB	30 days
90 MDL	3 GB	30 days
100 MDL	5 GB	30 days
140 MDL	10 GB	30 days
200 MDL	20 GB	30 days

Internet Add-Ons – Moldcell

The Internet Add-Ons are data add-ons (without 5G NR access). They cannot be purchased as standalone plans.

Dial *202# to activate Internet Add-Ons:

Price	Data	Validity
10 MDL	500 MB	1 day
25 MDL	1 GB	7 days

Social Media Plan – Moldcell

The Social Media plan is a 1 GB data-only bundle for Facebook, Odnoklassniki, Twitter & VK, costing 15 MDL valid for 30 days.

Dial *222*1*2# to activate the Social Media plan.

Price	Social Data	Apps	Validity	Activation Code
15 MDL	1 GB	Facebook, Odnoklassniki, Twitter & VK	30 days	*222*1*2#

APN/Internet Settings – Moldcell

• Name: Moldcell
• APN: internet

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

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Moldtelecom (formerly Unité)

Moldtelecom, formerly Unité, is the smallest mobile operator in Moldova.

It used to be a state-owned organization until liberalization.

Since then, it has still held a stronghold on the fixed-broadband market (70% market share), offering a median download speed of 92 Mbps (in the top 30 countries with the fastest fixed broadband speeds worldwide).

Its mobile division, however, has always lacked behind because it was the last player to enter the mobile market, and it used to be a CDMA-only mobile operator.

Right now, it is the most generous mobile operator in terms of data allowances.

However, it is the worst option in terms of network performance.

Moldtelecom uses the following frequencies:

• 2G: N/A – never had it (except for on CDMA)
• 3G: 900 MHz & 2100 MHz
• 4G/LTE: 1800 MHz (Band 3)

This is what you will learn about Moldtelecom:

* Coverage
* How to Get a Moldtelecom SIM Card & SIM Card Price
* Topping Up Options & Methods + Balance Check
* Plans & Packages
* APN/Internet Settings

Coverage – Moldtelecom (formerly Unité)

Moldtelecom has extensive coverage throughout Moldova.

However, this mostly applies to its 3G network – 4G/LTE reception barely exists outside the cities.

Below is Moldtelecom's coverage map produced by Speedtest:

However, click here to see Moldtelecom's official coverage map.

SIM Card Price – Moldtelecom (formerly Unité)

You can buy a Moldtelecom SIM card, called Cartela Prepay Moldtelecom, for 39 MDL with 30 GB, unlimited social media data (Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, OK.ru, TikTok, VK, WhatsApp & Wikipedia), 150 on-net minutes, 150 off-net minutes for 30 days in Moldtelecom stores and from resellers, including grocery stores, kiosks & gas stations. Moldcell SIM cards may be sold at Chișinău International Airport (KIV).

Dial *200# or call 200 to activate your Moldtelecom SIM card.

Text Lang_1 to 100 to change the system's language to English.

Text NUMBER to 100 to see your Moldtelecom phone number.

Moldtelecom has no eSIMs – not even for postpaid customers.

You can consider getting a travel eSIM for Moldova, which can, in specific scenarios, be cheaper than getting a SIM card from Moldtelecom.

Especially if you get a Europe-wide eSIM (for when you visit at least two or more supported European countries) or a global eSIM (for frequent travelers visiting multiple continents).

In my Moldova eSIM buying guide, I analyze various eSIM options of eSIM providers I have tested extensively worldwide.

But I will introduce them here quickly:

• Airalo: Soroca Mobile (Moldova only) & Discover+ (130 countries worldwide + up to 200 worldwide minutes & 200 worldwide SMS) – use code APR15 (15% off – first-time users only) or APR10 (10% off)
• Alosim: Moldova – use code PTW (5% off – no limits)
• Holafly: Moldova – all variants in both options include unlimited data + up to 120 Europe-wide calls – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ (5% off – no limits)
• Nomad: Moldova & Global (109 or 139 countries, depending on the variant) – use code ADU123 (3 USD off – first-time users only)

Once again, check out my Moldova eSIM buying guide to learn more about these eSIM options.

Be aware that there is no VoLTE nor VoWiFi with Moldtelecom.

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Top-Up, Recharge & Balance Check – Moldtelecom (formerly Unité)

Packages, Plans, Bundles & Offers – Moldtelecom (formerly Unité)

Moldtelecom has four data-featured prepaid plans:

• Opțiunea Național/National Options (combo)
• Fly Prepay (combo)
• Internet Plans
• Rețele Sociale Gratuite/Free (Unlimited) Social Media

All Moldtelecom plans can be activated by texting the Activation Code to 100 or by dialing *200#.

I will list all the prices in MDL (Moldovan Leu).

To convert MDL to your currency (let's say EUR) with up-to-date exchange rates, use the Wise Currency Converter tool.

Click on the links above to jump to the plan you are interested in.

Opțiunea Național (National Options) – Moldtelecom (formerly Unité)

The Opțiunea Național (National Options) are combo plans with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.

Text the Activation Code to 100 to activate Opțiunea Național (National Options):

Price	Data	Local Minutes	Local SMS	Validity	Activation Code
15 MDL	500 MB	40 minutes	40 SMS	30 days	N15
30 MDL	1 GB	90 minutes	90 SMS	30 days	N30
40 MDL	2 GB	120 minutes	120 SMS	30 days	N40
60 MDL	3 GB	180 minutes	180 SMS	30 days	N60
80 MDL	4 GB	260 minutes	260 SMS	30 days	N80

Fly Prepay – Moldtelecom (formerly Unité)

The Fly Prepay Plans are combo bundles with data (without 5G NR access) and minutes.

Text the Activation Code to 100 to activate Fly Prepay:

Price	Plan	Data	Social Data 1	On-Net Minutes	Off-Net Minutes	Validity	Activation Code
30 MDL	30 Fly Prepay	5 GB	Unlimited	Unlimited	100 minutes	30 days	Fly 30
50 MDL	50 Fly Prepay	20 GB	Unlimited	250 minutes	250 minutes	15 days	Fly 50
70 MDL	70 Fly Prepay	25 GB	Unlimited	300 minutes	300 minutes	30 days	Fly 70
100 MDL	100 Fly Prepay	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	300 minutes	15 days	Fly 100

¹ for Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, OK.ru, TikTok, VK, WhatsApp & Wikipedia

Internet Plans – Moldtelecom (formerly Unité)

The Internet Plans are, as the name implies, data bundles (without 5G NR access).

Text the Activation Code to 100 to activate Internet Plans:

Price	Data	Validity	Activation Code
10 MDL	1 GB	24 hours	1 GB/1
20 MDL	1 GB	7 days	1 GB/7
20 MDL	Unlimited	24 hours	Nelimitat 1 zi
25 MDL	1 GB	30 days	1 GB/30
30 MDL	3 GB	7 days	3 GB/7
40 MDL	3 GB	30 days	3 GB/30
50 MDL	5 GB	7 days	5 GB/7
60 MDL	5 GB	30 days	5 GB/30
100 MDL	10 GB	30 days	10GB
100 MDL	Unlimited	7 days	Nelimitat/7
150 MDL	20 GB	30 days	20GB

Rețele Sociale Gratuite (Free Social Media) – Moldtelecom (formerly Unité)

The Rețele Sociale Gratuite (Free Social Media) is, unlike the name suggests, a (paid – 20 MDL) unlimited data plan for select social media apps (Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, OK.ru, TikTok, VK, WhatsApp & Wikipedia) for 30 days.

Text RS25 to 100 to activate Rețele Sociale Gratuite.

Price	Social Data 1	Validity	Activation Code
25 MDL	Unlimited	30 days	RS25

¹ for Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, OK.ru, TikTok, VK, WhatsApp & Wikipedia

APN/Internet Settings – Moldtelecom (formerly Unité)

• Name: Moldtelecom
• APN: internet.unite.md OR internet3g.unite.md

Note: leave anything not mentioned above untouched.

Jump back to the Table of Contents.

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The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Moldova

Getting a SIM card from Orange or Moldtelecom would do you well when considering a Moldovan SIM card.