Moldova digital nomad visa & residency (2026)

A specific remote-work residence permit entered into force on 20 September 2025, conferring up to two years of legal residence (issued as one year, renewable once). Applications are submitted online or in person to the General Inspectorate for Migration (IGM) in Chișinău, or through Moldovan diplomatic missions abroad.

Applicants must demonstrate monthly income of at least 3× the Moldovan national average salary — approximately €2,700–2,800 (52,200 MDL) per month as of 2026, recalculated annually. All income must derive from sources outside Moldova.

Three categories qualify: (1) employees of foreign-registered companies working remotely, (2) independent service providers and freelancers whose clients are registered abroad, and (3) shareholders or partners in foreign-registered companies. Receipt of income from Moldovan employers or Moldovan-registered entities is expressly prohibited under this permit.

Applications are filed with the IGM online or in person; required documents include proof of remote employment or company ownership, income history, valid health insurance, and proof of accommodation. The state fee is EUR 80–100 and processing takes 30–45 calendar days. Approved holders must register with the migration police in person upon approval.

Digital nomads are subject to a 12% flat personal income tax on foreign-sourced income but are exempt from mandatory social security contributions and health insurance contributions, reducing the effective burden relative to standard Moldovan employment.

Moldova's Citizenship by Investment (MCBI) programme was suspended in July 2019 and legally repealed in September 2020 following EU concerns over security and money-laundering risks. As of mid-2026 there is no residency-by-investment or golden-visa pathway; the standard route to permanent residence requires 5 years of provisional residence (3 years if married to a Moldovan citizen).