Moldova Citizenship Program
Moldova Guide: Citizenship, Residence and Investment

Capital: Chișinău
Official Language: Romanian (Moldovan)
Other Recognised Languages: Ukrainian, Russian, and Gagauz.
Time Zone: EET; EEST (in Summers)
Currency: Moldovan Leu (MDL)
Moldova (Republic of), with Chișinău as its capital, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe located between Romania to its West and Ukraine to its North, East and South.
Official language of Moldova is Romanian (also termed Moldovan) and other recognised languages are Ukrainian, Russian, Gagauz.
Geography:
The total land area is 33,851 sq. kilometers. The largest part of the nation lies
between two rivers, the Dniester and the Prut.
Climate:
Moldova’s proximity to the Black Sea gives it a mild and sunny climate.
Moldova’s climate is moderately continental: The summers are warm and
long, with temperatures averaging about 20 °C (68 °F), and the winters are
relatively mild and dry, with January temperatures averaging −4 °C (25 °F).
International air gateway of Moldova is the Chișinău International Airport.
Currency:
Moldova’s currency is the Leu (pl. lei), abbreviated MDL.
Government and its Branches:
Under the Constitution adopted in July 1994, Moldova is a democratic
republic based on the rule of law. The Constitution separates the state powers
into three branches — the legislative, the executive and the judicial branches.
The legislative power belongs to the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova,
elected for four-year terms. The Parliament is unicameral. It consists of 101
deputies — representatives of parties and electoral blocks, as well as
independent candidates.
The executive power is exercised by the Government. Its role is to carry out
the domestic and foreign policy of the state, as well as to control the activity
of public administration. The Government consists of a Prime Minister,
deputy prime ministers, ministers and other members.
The President of the Republic of Moldova designates a candidate for Prime
Minister through consultation with parliamentary factions. The President of
the Republic of Moldova is legally distanced from all branches of power.
Nevertheless he / she is mostly allied to the executive branch. The People elect the President by direct, secret and freely expressed vote, after a four-
year term.
History:
On August 27, 1991, Moldova declared its independence from the former
USSR and became a UN member state in 1992. The present day Constitution
of Moldova was adopted in 1994. In the same year, Moldova joined the
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) as a way to ensure access to its
traditional markets, mainly Russia.
In 2005, Moldova decided to change its political orientation and became the
first CIS country to formulate an action plan with the European Union. The
Moldova-EU Action Plan has increased alignment between Moldova and the
EU. Today Moldova is closely oriented towards the European Union.
Memberships:
Republic of Moldova is a member of the following key organisations:
• United Nations (UN)
• Council of Europe
• World Trade Organisation (WTO)
• Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
• The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
• The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
Economy:
Following the regional financial crisis in 1998, Moldova has made significant progress towards achieving and retaining macroeconomic and financial stabilisation.
It has, furthermore, implemented many structural and institutional reforms
that are indispensable for the efficient functioning of a market economy.
These efforts have helped maintain macroeconomic and financial stability
under difficult external circumstances, enabled the resumption of economic
growth and contributed to establishing an environment conducive to the
economy’s further growth and development in the medium term.
General Facts:
· Favourable geographical position at the crossroads of commercial
routes
· Proximity to large world markets (European Union and
Commonwealth of Independent States)
· Platform for manufacturing and exporting both to the CIS and to
the EU
· Competitive general corporate income tax rate in the region — 12%
· Tax and customs framework similar to that of the EU
· Considerable network of operational Double Tax Treaties and
Investment Protection Agreements
· Market access through three Free Trade Agreements including:
· WTO members (worldwide)
· Autonomous Trade Preferences (EU countries)
· Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA)
· CEFTA members (most Balkan countries)
· CIS members (with certain exceptions)
· Entrepreneurial activities under preferential terms and conditions
developed in free economic zones
· Well-skilled multilingual workforce
· Relatively low employment costs
· Favourable visa regime
· Improved legal framework regulating entrepreneurial activity
· Starting a business — fast and easy to handle
· Investment opportunities through privatisation of public property
and public-private partnership.
Investment climate:
Foreign and domestic investors are treated equally under the Moldovan
legislation and the legal framework is the same for foreign investments. One
of the primary tasks of the Government is to attract investments and create a
favourable business climate for all investors, both foreign and local.
Moldova has designated areas where domestic and foreign investors can carry out entrepreneurial activities under preferential terms and conditions (i.e. favourable tax, customs and other regimes).
These designated areas are Free Economic Zones (FEZs), Industrial Parks
and IT Parks. For details on the incentives offered in these locations, please
contact us.
The investments in the free zones amounted to 80% of total FDI in Moldova
for the period from 2009–2014. Since 2002, the volume of FDI in the zones
increased five-fold, reaching US$212 million in 2014.
Taxation:
The applicable rates of taxes are subject to change based on government
policies.
Corporate Income Tax: 12%
The following rates are also applicable:
Individual entrepreneurs: 7% and 18 %(certain conditions apply)
Farming enterprises: 7%
Legal entities: 12%
Legal entities (small & medium businesses enterprises): 3% (conditions
apply)
From the tax perspective, there are approximately 47 operational Tax Treaties for Avoidance of Double Taxation concluded by Moldova with other
jurisdictions.
Although not a member of the Organisation for Economic co-operation and
Development (OECD), Moldova applies commentaries on the Article of the
OECD Model Tax Convention in interpreting Double Tax Treaties.
Citizenship by Investment:
The citizenship-by-investment program of Moldova is set to get launched.
According to the Government Regulation, the Moldovan citizenship could be
granted to foreign citizens in case:
1- they transfer a non-refundable contribution in Public Investment Fund (PIF) for Sustainable Development. The amount of contribution to the PIF depends on the family size, and is mentioned below:
- EUR 100,000 for a single applicant
- EUR 115,000 for a couple
- EUR 145,000 for a family of four
- EUR 155,000 for a family of five or more
Post-approval Government service provider fees amounts to EUR 35,000 per application.
In addition, applicants are required to pay government fees of EUR 5,000 for the main applicant, EUR 2,500 for a spouse, EUR 1,000 for a child aged 0 to 15 years, EUR 2,500 for a dependent child aged 16 to 29 years, and EUR 5,000 for a dependent parent — of the main applicant or of the spouse — who is 55 years of age or older.
Due diligence fees are EUR 6,000 for the main applicant and EUR 5,000 for a spouse, dependent children older than 16 years, and/or dependent parents. Biometric passport fees amount to EUR 300 per individual.
In addition, professional legal fees apply.
2- Additionally, foreign citizens could be granted with Moldovan citizenship in case they will invest at least EUR 250, 000 in one of the strategic areas of the country. This investment could be in qualifying properties or state securities. This qualifying investment option is not open yet and may be introduced at a later stage.
Passport of Moldova is well regarded, and allows visa-free travel to
European Schengen Area, Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, Russia, Ukraine,
Turkey, among many others. (please contact the nearest embassy, or consulate, of
Moldova to check the updated visa requirements)

The Regulation also provides a broad set of criteria to determine whether a
foreign citizen or a stateless person meets the conditions of good economic
and financial reputation, and does not pose a threat or a risk to public order
and security. Among the conditions is that he / she is not convicted, has no
criminal record for committing money laundering, terrorist financing, forced
labor, violation of labor protection rules, industrial property rights violations,
theft, scam, embezzlement of foreign property, damage caused by deception
or abuse of trust, etc.
Also, there should be no problems with justice, nor of family members or
dependents. The document also stipulates that in case the investor is not completely fulfilling the investment plan, and has been granted with Moldovan citizenship could be obliged to pay financial compensation within the limit of the value of the unrealised and unencumbered investment.
The Government Regulation mentioned above, has been approved by the
government. But, in order to be fully applicable it shall be also published in
Official Journal.
Living in Moldova:
Moldova is a safe country. Crime in general, and against foreigners in
particular, is almost non-existent.
Hospitals & Clinics
Travelers to Moldova who require medical or dental treatment have several
options to choose from; however, nearly all are located in Chisinau. Here are a few suggestions, but there are several other options, including private
clinics and state-run facilities.
Medpark International Hospital
24, Andrei Doga Street,Chisinau, MD 2024
Tel: (+373 22) 400 040
Email: info@medpark.md
Web: www.medpark.md
Moldo-German Diagnostic Center
4/2 Negruzzi Boulevard, Chisinau MD 2001
Tel: (+373 22) 840 900
Web: www.german-diagnostic.md
Caracas Dental
65, Gheorghe Asachi Street, Chisinau, Moldova
Tel: (+37322) 721984
Email: caracas@mdl.net
Web: www.caracas.md
Pharmacies
Pharmacies abound in Moldova. In Chisinau you can find them throughout
the city. Most town and some villages also have at least one pharmacy. A few
of the larger pharmacies with many store locations include Farmacia
Familiei, Farmacia Felicia, and Farmacia Orient.
Chisinau has several pharmacies that are open 24/7. One that is centrally
located is Farmacia Felicia, Grigore Vieru Str. 13, Tel. 022 22 58 58.
Contact us for further details so that we can advise you on the citizenship &
residence planning in Moldova and other jurisdictions.
Contact Email: info@hfcorporation.co
About HF Corporation:
HF Corporation is a research-driven advisory firm that is specialized in
providing services for residence and citizenship by investment programs,
around the world, to high net worth individuals and families. The firm also
runs a government advisory practice that liaises with different governments
to build up strategies that could help in bolstering foreign direct investments,
in their respective countries, through efficiently-structured investor programs
- with a vision to assist the governments in implementing an outperforming
approach.
Disclaimer:
Although every precaution has been taken to verify the accuracy of the
information contained herein, this information does not constitute a formal,
professional or legal advice and the authors assume no responsibility for any
errors or omissions.
HF Corporation — Actualising Your Global Dreams!
Email: info@hfcorporation.co