Open a Business in Moldova as a Foreigner

It is advisable to open a company in Moldova as a foreigner given that the country’s business, tax, legal systems provide very attractive conditions. We also mention that the process of company formation in Moldova is a straightforward one (we will not discuss about this topic in this article, as we’ll focus more on the advantages of starting a business here, but you can rely on us for registration services).

Moldova is a country that retains the attention of foreign businessmen. Its recognition has become more and more important in the last years, especially for investors who want to expand in the eastern part of Europe. There are many opportunities in various economic sectors, including in IT, which has become a very important industry in this country.

Quick Facts
Can foreigners open a business in Moldova?	Yes, it is allowed to open a business in Moldova as a foreigner.
Is it difficult to open a company as a foreigner?	The process to open a business in Moldova as a foreigner follows the same steps and procedures applicable to local investors (the registration contains straightforward formalities).
Do foreigners need special approval for business purposes?	Prior approval can be required only in specific situations, stipulated by law. This can happen as per the rules of Article 4 of Law no.174/2021 on the Mechanism for Examination of Investments of Importance for State Security.
Is it costly to start a business?	It is not costly to open a business in Moldova as a foreigner, but the overall costs can vary based on the industry of interest and the type of business the investor plans to open (however, basic registration costs start at EUR 500).
Bureaucracy level in Moldova	Moldova is characterized by an ongoing process of reforms that aim at improving the country’s public administration system (according to the Eastern Partnership Index 2025, Moldova ranks as the 1st country in the region on transparent governance).
What are the benefits of starting a business in Moldova?	– cost effective juridisction, – skilled workforce, – strategic geographic location, – governmental assistance for those investing in the IT industry, – low corporate tax, – EU financial assistance (Moldovan businesses can access EU programs even though the country is not an EU state).
Types of operating costs of a business	– utilities, – rent, – employment costs, – marketing, – supplies, – insurance, etc.
How many businesses are registered on an annual basis?	around 5,000 legal entities per year (in 2023, there were a total of 41,800 companies, an increase of 0,7% compared to 2022)
What was the region with the largest business registration share?	Chisinau (more than 60% of the country’s active companies operate here)
Corporate insolvency	around 4,000 (2023)
Law regulating foreign investments	Law no. 81/2004 on investments in entrepreneurial activity (screening of investments relevant to state security: Law no. 174/2021)
Does Moldova apply a visa system for business purposes?	Yes (short stay business visa C/A, Entrepreneurial activity D/AI)
Residency requirements for foreign shareholders	Not applicable (foreign shareholders can apply for residency if they want to live in Moldova, but residency is not imposed for being the shareholder of a company located in Moldova)
Obtaining permits and licenses	There is no general business licence in Moldova; licences or permits are required only for regulated activities (e.g. alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, financial services, casinos), depending on the industry of interest.
What types of businesses are popular in Moldova?	– agriculture, – food processing, – IT, – manufacturing

Our consultants in company incorporation in Moldova can offer advice on the pros and cons of investing here and can support investors throughout the registration process.

What are the main advantages of investing in Moldova?

Investors are advised to open a company in Moldova. The country offers a suitable legal framework that favors foreign investments, and a low base corporate tax system. It is also possible, if you set up a business in Moldova as a foreigner, to benefit from various governmental incentives, offered for business activities such as IT, manufacturing and agriculture.

The business market is best reflected in the country’s capital city, Chisinau, but the rest of the country can also provide various opportunities, especially for investors interested in agriculture and other related sectors. However, we mention that rural regions are less developed and infrastructure can be a challenging issue and this is why it is recommended to work with local partners, who are familiarized with these matters.

However, in urban areas, if you’ll set up a business in Moldova as a foreigner, you can benefit from:

multilingual (the main languages used are Romanian, Russian and English) and educated workforce;
good transportation networks;
modern IT infrastructure.

Highlights of company registration in Moldova

According to Invest Moldova, a governmental agency, Moldova ranked 48th in the World Bank's Doing Business 2020 report (the last edition, as the ranking was discontinued in 2021). The registration of a legal entity can be completed in 24 hours and local authorities apply the e-signature system for business purposes. It must also be noted that 73% of the government services are digitized.

Economic outlook

If you plan to start a business in Moldova as a foreigner, you are probably interested in the macroeconomic situation of the country. In the list below, our teampresents some of the recent economic results of the country:

the country’s GDP was about USD 18.1 billion in 2024, marking a slight increase compared to 2023;
in 2024, annual inflation rose again, to about 7% in December (from 3-4% in mid-2024), despite the measures taken against it (increase in wages, proper fiscal measures);
positive outcomes were observed in the industrial production in 2024 (which increased by 13.8%);
in manufacturing, 3 sectors had the best results – the beverages production, metal production and pharmaceuticals;
according to the National Bureau of Statistics, the IT sector accounted for 7% of the country’s GDP in 2022, while agriculture reached 12% in 2024.

Investors must also know that Moldova offers 7 free economic zones (plus the Giurgiulesti International Free Port and Marculesti International Free Airport), which provide various tax advantages, in the form of tax exemptions. Investors can open a business in Moldova as a foreigner in these regions. Some of the activities permitted in the free zones are: transportation, packaging, storage, utilities.

Please contact our team if you want to set up a company in Moldova. We offer consultancy services, we can help you select a company type suitable to your budget, help you invest in the field of interest and obtain the benefits and incentives your business is entitled to.