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.
Insurance Guide
Which insurances you actually need in Moldova, prioritised.
Moldova has a mandatory national health insurance (CNAM) and mandatory third-party vehicle insurance (RCA). Beyond these, expats should consider private health top-up insurance, renters' contents insurance and life insurance. The private insurance market is regulated by the Autoritatea Națională de Reglementare a Activităților în Domeniul Energiei și Infrastructurii — check CNPF.md (Comisia Națională a Pieței Financiare) for licensed insurers.
Legally Mandatory
- - CNAM (Compania Națională de Asigurări în Medicină) — compulsory health insurance for all residents and employees
- - RCA (Răspundere Civilă Auto) — compulsory third-party motor liability insurance for all registered vehicles
CNAM — National Health Insurance
Mandatory health insurance covering GP visits, emergency care, hospital admission, maternity care and compensated medicines.
Who needs it: All residents in Moldova. Employees are enrolled automatically (4.5% of salary). Non-employed persons must self-enrol and pay the fixed annual premium.
Annual cost: MDL ~4,056/year (fixed premium for self-enrolled, 2026); employees pay 4.5% of gross salary via payroll
Obtain your CNAM polița (insurance card) from a CNAM office in Chișinău (Str. Ghioceilor 18). Present it at every public health facility visit.
RCA — Third-Party Motor Liability
Mandatory third-party liability insurance for all vehicles registered in Moldova. Covers damage or injury caused to others in an accident.
Who needs it: Everyone who owns or operates a vehicle registered in Moldova.
Annual cost: MDL 800–2,500/year depending on vehicle class and driver history
Buy at insurance company offices, online, or at post offices. Green Card (Carte Verde) is the international extension valid across Europe — required for driving into EU countries.
Green Card — International Motor Insurance
International third-party motor liability coverage valid in all European countries. Required when driving your Moldovan-registered vehicle into the EU or other Green Card countries.
Who needs it: Anyone driving a Moldovan car into EU countries, Romania, Ukraine or other Green Card member states.
Annual cost: MDL 1,500–4,000/year (combined with RCA)
Purchased at the same time as or alongside your RCA policy. Valid for 12 months. Without a Green Card, you may be denied entry or fined at EU borders.
Travel Insurance
Covers emergency medical expenses, trip cancellation, lost luggage and repatriation when travelling outside Moldova.
Who needs it: All travellers outside Moldova — CNAM is not valid abroad.
Annual cost: MDL 500–2,000/year for annual multi-trip policy; MDL 100–400 per single trip
Schengen visas require proof of travel insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 medical coverage. Annual multi-trip policies from Moldovan or international insurers are cost-effective for frequent travellers.
Private Health Insurance (Top-Up / International)
Supplements CNAM to cover private specialist care, dental, optical, MRI/CT, private hospital rooms and international emergency repatriation.
Who needs it: Expats who want access to English-speaking doctors, Medpark/Sancos private hospitals, or international coverage during travel.
Annual cost: EUR 800–2,500/year (international plans: Cigna, Allianz, AXA); MDL 3,000–8,000/year (local private plans)
Medpark International Hospital accepts Cigna, Allianz and other major international insurers for direct billing. Obtain pre-authorisation for planned procedures. Travel/expat health plans often cheaper than local private plans for EU-based expats.
Renters' Contents Insurance
Covers theft, fire and accidental damage to personal belongings in a rented home.
Who needs it: All renters — landlord's insurance covers the building, not your possessions.
Annual cost: MDL 500–1,500/year depending on contents value
Renters' contents insurance is underused in Moldova. Most landlords do not carry contents insurance for tenants' belongings. Create an inventory list when moving in. Keep receipts for electronics and valuables.
Property Insurance (Owners)
Covers structural damage to a property from fire, flooding, earthquake and other risks. Earthquake risk in Moldova is moderate (Vrancea seismic zone).
Who needs it: Property owners — banks require this for mortgages.
Annual cost: MDL 2,000–6,000/year for a standard apartment
Moldova sits within the Vrancea seismic zone; earthquake insurance is worth adding. Standard property policies exclude earthquake unless specifically added.
Life Insurance
Term life cover providing a lump sum to beneficiaries on death or critical illness.
Who needs it: Expats with dependants, mortgage holders, business owners.
Annual cost: MDL 3,000–15,000/year depending on coverage amount and age
Life insurance market is growing but limited compared to Western Europe. For international coverage with portability, consider a global life policy from your home country. IHC or RL360 offer international policies held outside Moldova.
Comparison sites
Always buy from CNPF-licensed insurers — unlicensed operators cannot legally pay claims.
Compare RCA prices at asigurare.md before renewing — prices vary significantly between providers.
CNAM self-enrolment: pay before December 31 of the previous year to have full-year coverage — late enrolment has a waiting period for non-emergency care.
For long-stay expats: a combination of CNAM + international health insurance top-up provides the best cost-to-coverage ratio.
Keep copies of all insurance policies and claim hotline numbers in your phone contacts.
Insurance
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