The National Bank of Moldova reported that Governor Anca Dragu spoke in Brussels at the European Commission’s “Institution Building Days 2026”, presenting Moldova’s progress in aligning with European standards and the role of institutional reforms in modernising the financial sector. Her intervention focused on Moldova’s integration into the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) and the practical effects on households and businesses. The central bank cited a reduction of over 90% in the cost of international euro transfers to an average of EUR 1.26, including zero-fee transfers, and said more than 70% of cross-border euro transaction volume is now executed via SEPA. Following operational integration into SEPA on 6 October 2025, total fees paid for processed transactions were about EUR 474,000, generating savings of EUR 6.59 million for Moldova, with uptake reflected in hundreds of thousands of transfers processed. The update also highlighted the contribution of European Union technical assistance instruments, including TAIEX and Twinning, in supporting regulatory harmonisation, capacity building at the National Bank of Moldova, and strengthened supervisory functions, alongside the development of modern infrastructures such as the MIA instant payments system.
National Bank of Moldova 2026-04-22
National Bank of Moldova highlights SEPA-driven 90% cut in euro transfer costs at European Commission Institution Building Days
The National Bank of Moldova said Governor Anca Dragu, speaking at the European Commission’s “Institution Building Days 2026” in Brussels, highlighted Moldova’s progress in aligning with European standards and integrating into the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). The bank reported a reduction of over 90% in international euro transfer costs to an average of EUR 1.26, with more than 70% of cross-border euro transaction volume now executed via SEPA, generating EUR 6.59 million in savings since October 2025. The update also noted EU technical assistance, including TAIEX and Twinning, in supporting regulatory harmonisation, supervisory capacity building and development of infrastructures such as the MIA instant payments system.