Investment Residence Permit

Moldova's Investment Residence Permit (Dreptul de ședere provizorie pe baza investițiilor) is a temporary residence permit for foreign nationals who invest in and participate as shareholders or partners in Moldovan-registered companies. Established under Article 36¹ of Law No. 200/2010 on the Regime of Foreigners, the program ties permit duration directly to the scale of the investment and the number of jobs created in Moldova. It is administered by the General Inspectorate for Migration (IGM) under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Unlike passive golden visa programs, Moldova's scheme requires active business participation — the investor must hold shares in an operating Moldovan company, not merely place capital in real estate or funds.

• Must be a shareholder or partner of a legal entity registered in Moldova
• Minimum personal shareholding equivalent to 30 projected average monthly salaries (approximately 522,000 MDL / EUR 27,000 for 2026)
• The invested company must have created at least one full-time job paying the average monthly salary in the economy
• Investment thresholds are assessed per individual investor based on their personal shareholding, not the company's total capital
• Investment confirmation must be provided by an accredited auditor or through statements of tax withholding, health insurance premiums, and social security contributions attesting to job creation

Permit duration scales with the size of the investment or number of jobs created:

• 2 years — 30–200 average monthly salaries invested, or at least 1 job created
• 3 years — 200–600 average monthly salaries, or at least 8 jobs created
• 4 years — 600–2,000 average monthly salaries, or at least 15 jobs created
• 5 years — 2,000–4,000 average monthly salaries, or at least 25 jobs created
• 8 years — over 4,000 average monthly salaries, or at least 50 jobs created

The projected average monthly salary for 2026 is 17,400 MDL (approximately EUR 900).

• Standardized application form
• National passport (original and copy, valid 6+ months)
• Proof of housing in Moldova (property deed or rental contract)
• Medical insurance covering Moldova (minimum EUR 30,000 coverage)
• Proof of means of subsistence
• Extract from the Public Services Agency (ASP) confirming company registration
• Investment confirmation from an accredited auditor, or statements of tax/social contributions attesting to job creation
• Statistical forms: "Investment No. 1" and "Employee Mobility and Jobs"
• Criminal record certificate from country of origin (legalized/apostilled); or from country of residence if residing there for 2+ years
• Blood group certificate
• One 3×4 cm color photograph
• Application fee: 3,600 MDL (approximately EUR 185)

Permits are issued for 2 to 8 years depending on investment scale and job creation (see tiers above). Renewal applications must be submitted at least 30 days before the current permit expires. The same documentation requirements apply for renewal, and holders must continue to meet the investment and job creation conditions that formed the basis of the original permit. Renewal is available for persons in leading positions within the invested company.

After 5 years of continuous temporary residence, holders may apply for permanent residence. After a total of 8 years of residence (including 5 years with permanent residence), citizenship may be pursued subject to language proficiency and other requirements.

Spouse and minor children may join the investor through Moldova's family reunification provisions. Each family member submits a separate application including passport, proof of relationship (marriage or birth certificate), medical insurance, criminal record certificate, and proof of accommodation. Processing times and fees are similar to the main applicant's.

Moldova applies a flat 12% personal income tax. Individuals spending 183 or more days per year in Moldova are considered tax residents and are taxed on Moldovan-source income and income from work performed in Moldova. Moldovan citizens are taxed on worldwide investment income, but foreign residents are taxed only on Moldovan-source income. Corporate income tax is 12%, and dividends are taxed at 6%.

1. Register a company with the Public Services Agency (ASP) in Moldova and make the qualifying investment.
2. Schedule an appointment with the General Inspectorate for Migration (IGM) via their mobile application.
3. Submit documents either in person at IGM offices or electronically using a qualified electronic signature.
4. Processing time: 30 to 60 calendar days from submission of a complete application.
5. Entry: Most investors need a Type D long-stay visa from a Moldovan embassy before arriving. Citizens of countries with visa-free agreements may enter without a visa and apply within their 90-day stay.
6. Upon approval, the residence permit card is issued. Holders must register with local authorities upon receiving the permit and maintain valid medical insurance throughout the permit period.