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.
Social Security in Moldova
Benefits, contributions, and how the system works for expats.
Moldova has a two-pillar social security system administered by CNAS (Casa Națională de Asigurări Sociale) and CNAM (Compania Națională de Asigurări în Medicină). CNAS handles pensions, sick leave, parental benefits and unemployment. CNAM handles health insurance. Contributions are mandatory for employed persons and optional (but recommended) for self-employed individuals. Expats employed in Moldova are fully integrated into the system. Moldova has bilateral social security totalization agreements with a limited number of countries — most EU nationals will have their Moldovan contributions recognised under the EU–Moldova Association Agreement framework.
IDNP — Număr de Identificare al Persoanei Fizice
IDNP
The IDNP is assigned automatically when you register your temporary residence at BMA (Biroul Migrație și Azil). You receive a residence permit card bearing your IDNP. EU citizens who register their residency at BMA also receive an IDNP. The IDNP is then used for all government services, tax registration, banking and social security.
- Tax registration (SFS)
- CNAS pension and benefit account
- CNAM health insurance policy
- Bank account opening
- Property and vehicle registration
- BMA residence permit identification
- Employment contract registration
- Voting registration (for eligible nationals)
- Access to e-government services (gov.md, MPower)
Benefits & Support Payments
State Pension
Pensie de bătrânețe
Monthly state pension paid from CNAS upon reaching retirement age with qualifying contribution years.
Retirement age: 63 years for men; 63 years for women (equalised as of 2022). Minimum qualifying period: 15 years of contributions for partial pension; 35 years for full pension calculation. Expats who contributed to CNAS receive proportional pension or may have contributions transferred to home-country system.
Apply at CNAS territorial office 3–6 months before retirement age with: passport/ID, contribution history (extras CNAS), employment booklet (carnet de muncă) if applicable, bank account details.
Unemployment Benefit
Ajutor de șomaj
Monthly unemployment benefit for persons who have become involuntarily unemployed and meet contribution requirements.
Minimum 9 months of CNAS contributions in the last 24 months before unemployment. Must register at ANOFM within 30 days of employment termination. Available to expats with valid residence permits who worked legally in Moldova.
Register at ANOFM territorial office (Agenția Națională pentru Ocuparea Forței de Muncă) within 30 days of job loss. Bring: termination notice, employment contract, IDNP, CNAS contribution statement, bank account details.
Maternity and Parental Benefit
Indemnizație de maternitate / Indemnizație pentru creșterea copilului
Maternity pay (126 days at 100% salary) and parental benefit (up to 36 months, 90% then 75% of salary) administered by CNAS.
Employed persons with minimum 9 months of CNAS contributions in the last 24 months. Self-enrolled ÎI owners who voluntarily pay CNAS contributions also eligible.
Apply through employer (maternity) or at CNAS territorial office (parental benefit). Requires medical certificates and contribution history documentation.
Disability Pension
Pensie de invaliditate
Monthly pension for persons assessed as having a disability that prevents full-time work.
CNAS contribution history plus medical assessment by CRDE (Consiliul Republican de Determinare a Dizabilității). Available to expats who have contributed to CNAS.
Medical assessment request at local social services (DASPF) and CNAS office. Process: 30–60 days for assessment.
Ajutor Social (Social Aid)
Ajutor social
Means-tested cash transfer for low-income households covering basic living needs.
Moldovan citizens and long-term residents with income below the guaranteed minimum (barem social). Foreign nationals with permanent residence permits may apply after 5 years of residency.
Apply at local ASIS (Agenția de Asistență Socială) office with income declaration and household documentation.
Survivor's Pension
Pensie de urmaș
Monthly pension paid to dependent children and surviving spouses of deceased CNAS contributors.
Dependent children under 18 (or 23 if in full-time education) and surviving spouses of deceased persons with qualifying CNAS contribution history.
Apply at CNAS territorial office with death certificate, relationship documents, IDNP of claimants.
Contribution Overview
2026 rates: Employees — CNAS 9% of gross salary (pension); CNAM 4.5% of gross salary (health). Employers — CNAS 24% of gross salary; CNAM 4.5% of gross salary. IT Park companies: 7% unified tax on company revenue (replaces all CNAS, CNAM, CIT, PIT, and VAT contributions). Freelancers (ÎI): CNAM fixed premium approximately MDL 4,056/year; CNAS contributions voluntary for pension rights.
International Social Security Agreements
Moldova has bilateral social security totalization agreements with: Romania, Belarus, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Portugal, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, and several CIS countries. Under these agreements, contribution periods are combined to qualify for benefits — you do not lose Moldovan CNAS contributions if you worked in these countries. Check CNAS for the full current list. The EU–Moldova Association Agreement framework supports mutual recognition of contribution periods with EU member states not covered by bilateral agreements.
Register with CNAS as soon as you start working in Moldova — late registration can create gaps in your contribution record. CNAS contribution history can be viewed online at cnas.gov.md with your IDNP. Expats leaving Moldova can request a contribution certificate from CNAS to use when claiming pension or other benefits in their home country.
Social Security
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