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Children flying alone or with an adult: documents, parental consent and airline rules

Checked in November 2026. Check the rules for children with the Border Police as well as the airline. Your destination or transit country may require additional documents.

You need to follow two sets of rules: border requirements and the airline’s rules.

If you’re departing from Moldova

  • Every child needs their own passport. A birth certificate is not a travel document.
  • Travelling with one parent: permission from the other parent isn’t required, except when departing to live permanently abroad.
  • Travelling with someone else: a declaration from the legal representative is required, with a notarized signature, stating the purpose, period and destination country.
  • Departing to live permanently abroad: notarized consent from both parents.
  • Students aged 14 or over enrolled abroad: a certificate and a notarized declaration from one parent.

Border Police helpline: 022 259 717.

If you’re departing from Romania

The rules are set out in Law 248/2005 and are stricter:
- Travelling with both parents: only a travel document is needed.
- Travelling with one parent: notarized consent from the other parent.
- Travelling with someone else: notarized consent from both parents.
- Travelling alone from age 16: only for visiting relatives, studying or taking part in competitions, or receiving medical treatment, and with the original notarized consent of both parents.

A birth certificate isn’t accepted here either. A national ID card can be used from age 14.

What the airlines say

  • Wizz Air: children under 14 can fly only with a companion aged at least 16. There is no unaccompanied minor service.
  • Ryanair: children under 16 can’t fly alone, and there is no unaccompanied minor service. Check the companion’s age requirements on the airline’s website.
  • Turkish Airlines: offers an unaccompanied minor service from age 7, with written permission. Information on the airline’s website varies, so check with them in advance.

Before you book

  • Check your child’s passport and its expiry date.
  • Arrange notarized consent in advance if needed, and bring the original.
  • If the parent’s and child’s surnames are different, bring a document showing their relationship.
  • Enter the name exactly as it appears in the passport when you book.

From 23 October 2027, children in the EU will be able to sit next to their companion at no extra charge.