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

Education & Schools

Schools, universities, and language courses in Moldova.

👶 Childcare & Kindergarten

Creșă (state crèche) MDL 200–600/month (heavily subsidised; income-tested)

Age: 2 months – 3 years

Subsidy available

Chișinău municipality subsidises state crèche places; families pay 10–30% of actual cost based on income. Primăria Chișinău manages allocation.

Apply at the local Primărie with the child's birth certificate, parents' IDs, IDNP numbers and residency proof. For expats, a registered rental contract and valid residence permits are required.

⏱️ Register with your local Primărie (district town hall) as early as possible — demand far exceeds supply in central Chișinău. Private crèches have immediate availability.

Grădiniță (state kindergarten) MDL 300–800/month (subsidised)

Age: 3–7 years

Subsidy available

State kindergartens are heavily subsidised. Meals, educational materials and most activities are included. Private kindergartens charge MDL 3,000–6,000/month with no subsidy.

Contact the local Primărie for state enrolment. For private kindergartens, apply directly. Documents: birth certificate, medical booklet (carnet medical de sănătate), parents' IDs and residence permits.

⏱️ State places are allocated by district. Expat children can enrol but priority is given to registered residents. Private kindergartens (Grădinița privată) accept immediately.

International Kindergarten / Preschool MDL 8,000–18,000/month (EUR 400–920)

Age: 2–7 years

Apply directly to the school with child's passport, birth certificate, immunisation records and previous educational reports if applicable.

⏱️ International kindergartens fill early for September intake. Register in spring. American International School of Moldova (AISM) has a preschool programme.

🏫 Schools

Public Primary School Free

Școală primară / Școală generală

Ages: 7–11 years (grades 1–4) · Language: Romanian (state schools). Russian-medium schools exist in Chișinău for Russian-speaking families.

Enrol at the district school assigned by address through the local Primărie or directly at the school principal's office (director). Required documents: birth certificate (with apostille if foreign), parents' identity documents and residence permits, medical certificate, and vaccination records. School year runs September–June.

Romanian language level is assessed on entry. Expat children with limited Romanian may be placed in a Romanian-language support class or offered tutoring. Several schools in Chișinău have experience integrating foreign-origin children. International schools are an alternative for families requiring English-medium education.

Public Secondary School Free

Liceu / Gimnaziu

Ages: 11–18 years (grades 5–12) · Language: Romanian (primary). Russian-medium licee available in Chișinău.

Enrol at the liceu assigned by district or apply to a specialist liceu (mathematics, arts, sports). Required: previous school transcripts (translated into Romanian and apostilled if foreign), birth certificate, parents' IDs and residence permits, medical certificate. BAC (Bacalaureat) exams at grade 12.

Several prestigious licee in Chișinău (Liceul Teoretic Național, Liceul Academiei de Științe) are competitive and require entrance exams. Foreign diplomas must be recognised by the Ministry of Education. Graduates of Moldovan licee can apply to Moldovan and (via credential recognition) Romanian universities.

International Schools

International school options in Chișinău include: QSI International School of Chisinau (chisinau.qsi.org — American-model English-medium, fees approximately USD 4,200–17,400/year; confirmed operating in 2025); British International School Chișinău (Cambridge curriculum); École française de Chișinău (French-medium). Several other private English and bilingual schools operate in Chișinău. Contact schools directly for current 2026 fees, availability and admission procedures — fees and school status can change rapidly in this region.

University

Tuition fee

MDL 10,000–30,000/year for state universities (EUR 500–1,500). Private universities: MDL 20,000–50,000/year. Medicine: MDL 40,000–100,000/year. International students pay the same as domestic students at state universities.

Semester fee

No separate semester fee beyond tuition. Library, student card and lab fees may add MDL 200–500/year.

Student visa

EU/EEA students study visa-free. Non-EU students with more than 90 days of study need a student-based temporary residence permit from BMA. The university typically provides an invitation letter for this application. Apply at BMA before the 90-day visa-free period expires.

Health insurance

State university students can join CNAM for a reduced annual premium (approximately MDL 4,056/year in 2026). Private health insurance also accepted. International students must show health insurance coverage for the BMA residence application.

Application process

Apply directly to universities. State university admissions based on BAC scores or entrance exams. Foreign applicants submit: apostilled and translated transcripts, passport, recognition certificate from Ministry of Education. Application deadline: July for September intake. Main universities: Universitatea de Stat din Moldova, ULIM (Universitatea Liberă Internațională din Moldova), UTM (Universitatea Tehnică), USMF (Medicine).

🗣️ Language Courses

Romanian Language Course for Foreigners

Provider: Universitatea de Stat din Moldova (USM) — Language Centre · Duration: 1 semester (4–5 months), 4–6 hours/week · Levels: A1–B2

MDL 3,000–6,000 per semester

Best formal option for expats who need academic-quality Romanian. Group and individual lessons available. The USM Language Centre (centrul de limbi) accepts registration throughout the year.

Romanian at Private Language Schools

Provider: Various — including Limba Română School, Scoala de Limbi Modene · Duration: Flexible — monthly or semester enrolment · Levels: A1–C1

MDL 500–1,500/month for group courses; MDL 300–600/hour for private tutoring

Multiple private language schools in Chișinău offer Romanian as a foreign language. Flexible scheduling. Private tutors (profesori particulari) widely available via OLX.md or Locals.md.

Russian Language Course

Provider: Various private schools and tutors in Chișinău · Duration: Flexible · Levels: A1–C2

MDL 400–1,000/month group; MDL 250–500/hour private

Russian remains widely used in business, retail and daily life in Chișinău. Learning basic Russian is practical for expats. Not required for residence but greatly aids daily life.

Online — Duolingo, iTalki, Babbel

Provider: Online platforms · Duration: Self-paced · Levels: A1–B1 (Duolingo Romanian); all levels via iTalki

Free (Duolingo) to USD 10–25/hour (iTalki tutors)

Duolingo has a Romanian course. iTalki has Romanian and Russian native tutors at affordable rates. Useful for beginners before arriving or between classes.

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