Moldova (MD)
Moldova is Eastern Europe's hidden gem — an EU candidate country since June 2022 and one of the continent's most affordable destinations, with a thriving wine culture, warm hospitality and a rapidly modernising capital.
Capital: Chișinău
Region: Europe
Language: Romanian
Currency: MDL (L)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 22)
Emergency: 112
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Business Setup
Start a business or go freelance in Moldova.
🧑💻 Freelancer / Self-Employed Guide
Steps to register:
- 1 Decide on your structure: ÎI (sole trader) for simple freelancing; SRL for higher-revenue work or IT Park qualification.
- 2 Register at ASP (Agenția Servicii Publice) in person at Str. Pușkin 42, Chișinău, or online at asp.gov.md.
- 3 Obtain your IDNO (company identification number) and fiscal code.
- 4 Register with the State Fiscal Service (SFS) at sfs.md — you will receive a Taxă on Value Added (TVA/VAT) number if above the MDL 1,200,000 threshold or if voluntarily registering.
- 5 Open a business bank account (required for SRL; optional for ÎI).
- 6 For IT Park: apply to Moldova IT Park (it-park.md) after registering the SRL, providing a business plan and confirming qualifying IT activities.
- 7 Hire an accountant (contabil) or use accounting software (1C Moldova, PrimaSoft). IT Park companies use simplified monthly reporting.
- 8 Submit monthly tax declarations to SFS (for IT Park: Declarație IT Park monthly; for standard companies: VAT declaration, income/expenses journal).
Tax registration
Register with SFS within 30 days of starting business activity. Submit Form MF-1 (or online via SFS portal etaxe.sfs.md). You will receive a fiscal certificate (certificat de înregistrare fiscală). Standard freelancers (ÎI) pay PIT 12% on net profit; SRL pays CIT 12% on net profit and distributes dividends at 6% withholding tax.
VAT threshold
MDL 1,200,000 of taxable turnover in any 12 consecutive months triggers mandatory VAT registration. Below this, voluntary registration is possible. IT Park companies are exempt from standard VAT — the 7% unified tax covers it. Invoices for IT Park companies do not include separate VAT lines.
Invoicing
All businesses must issue fiscal receipts (bon fiscal) from registered POS devices or electronic invoices via the SFS e-factură system. SRL and SA must use the e-factură platform for B2B invoicing. ÎI below MDL 1,200,000 can use simplified invoices (factura de expediție). IT Park companies use simplified invoicing within the IT Park framework.
Social security
ÎI owners are not automatically enrolled in CNAS/CNAM. They must pay the fixed annual CNAM premium (approximately MDL 4,056/year in 2026) and CNAS contributions voluntarily if they want pension rights. SRL directors/employees pay standard employee contributions (9% CNAS + 4.5% CNAM) if on the company payroll. IT Park employees are covered by the unified 7% employer contribution.
💡 The IT Park Moldova regime is the standout option for tech freelancers and small IT companies. Annual revenue below EUR 200,000 (approximately MDL 4,000,000) places you in the preferred IT Park bracket with minimal administration. Monthly revenue declaration and a 7% payment is all that is needed. For non-IT freelancers, the ÎI structure with quarterly PIT advance payments is the simplest approach. An accountant costs MDL 800–2,000/month and is worth it for SRL compliance.
🏢 Business Structures
ÎI · Întreprindere Individuală
Sole Proprietorship / Individual Enterprise
None
Min. capital
1–3 business days via ASP (Agenția Servicii Publice)
Setup time
Liability: Unlimited personal liability
Setup cost: MDL 100–200 (state registration fee at ASP)
Best for: Freelancers, service providers, craftspeople, small traders. Simplest structure. No distinction between personal and business assets.
SRL · Societatea cu Răspundere Limitată
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
MDL 5,400 minimum share capital
Min. capital
3–7 business days
Setup time
Liability: Limited to share capital
Setup cost: MDL 2,000–5,000 (legal fees + state registration fees)
Best for: The most common structure for small and medium businesses, IT companies, consultancies and any expat-owned business. Widely used and well understood by Moldovan banks and partners.
SA · Societate pe Acțiuni
Joint Stock Company / Corporation
MDL 20,000 (closed SA); MDL 500,000 (open/public SA)
Min. capital
2–4 weeks
Setup time
Liability: Limited to share capital
Setup cost: MDL 5,000–15,000+
Best for: Larger companies, joint ventures with multiple shareholders, companies planning to raise equity capital or list publicly. Required for banks and financial institutions.
IT Park · IT Park Moldova — Rezident al Parcului Tehnologic Informațional
IT Park Resident Company
Same as underlying legal entity (SRL or SA)
Min. capital
7–15 business days for full accreditation
Setup time
Liability: Same as underlying legal entity
Setup cost: MDL 3,000–8,000 (IT Park accreditation + SRL/SA setup)
Best for: Software development companies, IT service providers, digital agencies, R&D companies. Pays a single 7% tax on revenue instead of standard CIT, PIT, social contributions and VAT. Employees also benefit from the unified tax — no separate PIT or social contribution deductions. One of the most attractive IT tax regimes in Europe.
Reprezentanță · Reprezentanță a unei societăți străine
Representative / Branch Office of Foreign Company
None
Min. capital
2–4 weeks
Setup time
Liability: Parent company bears all liabilities
Setup cost: MDL 2,000–6,000
Best for: Foreign companies wanting a local presence without a separate legal entity. Can conduct market research, provide support and promote the parent company's products but cannot generate independent commercial income.
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