Moldova (MD)

Your home-country passport is the primary identity document for all Moldovan government, banking and legal processes. Ensure it has at least 6 months of validity beyond your intended stay. Keep 2–3 certified copies separate from the original. Carry a photocopy daily and store the original securely.

Required for residence permit applications, marriage registration, school enrolment, Romanian citizenship applications and estate/inheritance processes. Must be an official original or certified copy. Apostille required for documents issued outside Moldova (Moldova is a Hague Apostille member). Certified Romanian translation required by the Public Services Agency (Agenția Servicii Publice / ASP).

Required for family-based residence permits, joint bank accounts, property purchase in joint names, spouse visa applications and inheritance. Foreign marriage certificates must carry an apostille and be translated into Romanian by a sworn translator (traducător autorizat).

A police clearance certificate from your home country is required for the Temporary Residence Permit application. It must be issued within the last 3 months, bear an apostille and be translated into Romanian. Allow 2–6 weeks to obtain from your home country's police or justice ministry.

Required for self-sufficiency residence permits and bank account opening. Accepted forms: employment contract, payslips (3–6 months), bank statements showing regular income, pension statement, or company dividend records. Foreign documents may need apostille and translation.

University degrees and professional qualifications must be recognised by the National Agency for Quality Assurance in Professional Education (ANACEC) for employment in regulated professions (medicine, law, teaching, engineering). Submit originals with apostille and certified Romanian translation.

Foreign nationals working in Moldova must have a valid work permit (autorizație de muncă) issued by the National Employment Agency (ANOFM) prior to starting employment. Your employer applies for this. Carry a copy at all times.

A signed rental contract (contract de locațiune) registered with the State Tax Service (SFS) is required for residence permit applications, bank account opening and school enrolment. Ensure the contract specifies the full address, rent amount, duration and is signed by both parties.

Proof of health insurance (polița de asigurare medicală) is required for residence permit applications and recommended at all times. You may use your CNAM state policy (if employed), a voluntary CNAM policy, or an international private policy. Carry the certificate and policy number with you.

The IDNP is the Moldovan 13-digit personal identification number issued with your residence permit and required for all government services, tax registration, banking and employment. Foreign nationals receive their IDNP when obtaining a residence permit from the Bureau of Migration and Asylum (BMA).

If bringing a car to Moldova, you need the vehicle registration certificate (certificat de înmatriculare), proof of Moldovan or Green Card insurance, and a valid technical inspection (revizie tehnică). Foreign-registered vehicles may be used temporarily; for long-term residence, re-registration is required.

Dogs, cats and ferrets require an ISO 15-digit microchip, valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days and less than 1 year before travel), a veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, and an official IMSF (Food Safety) import permit. Obtain the permit at least 30 days before arrival.