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Expand your global workforce in Moldova

Your guide to the employment landscape, working customs and local labor laws in

Capital

Chișinău

Currency

Moldovan leu (MDL)

Languages

Moldovan, Romanian

GDP per Capita

$3,473.71

Employer Tax

18% to 32%

Payroll Frequency

Monthly

Talent overview

Moldova is an agricultural country, whose economic activities include the production of tobacco, fruits, vegetables, wheat, and maize. They also rely on the annual remittance they receive from neighboring countries in Europe. The country has signed an Association Agreement and a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (AA/DCFTA) with the European Union, which opened a whole market base for Moldova and significantly increased their exports. 

Major economic hubs:

Chișinău, Tiraspol, Bălți

Skills in demand:

Doctors, Judges, Lawyers, Bank Managers

Top local universities in Moldova

Uni1 15

Universitatea de Stat de Medicina si Farmacie

RANKING

Local: 1

World: 5228

Uni2 15

Universitatea Tehnica a Moldovei

RANKING

Local: 2

World: 5262

Uni3 12

Universitatea de Stat din Moldova

RANKING

Local: 3

World: 5541

Uni4 12

Academia de Studii Economice din Moldova

RANKING

Local: 4

World: 5971

Uni5 11

Universitatea de Stat A. Russo

RANKING

Local: 5

World: 7151

Top Local Job Boards:

Robota.md ; Alljobs ; Joblist

Number of LinkedIn users:

313,300

Top Recruitment Agencies:

Strand ; Infomunca

Where to find talent

Top Local Job Boards:

Number of LinkedIn users:

Top Recruitment Agencies:

Salary Data

Below are average monthly salaries for some positions in Moldova;

Job Title Average Monthly Salary (in MDL) Average Monthly Salary (in USD)
Accountant 17,800 930
Software Engineer 26,300 1,374
Financial Analyst 33,400 1,745
Graphic Designer 16,200 846
Project Manager 33,700 1,760
Sales Manager 45,300 2,366
Customer Service Representative 9,520 497

Employ in Moldova

Employing in Moldova

Moldovan employers are bound to follow the country’s labor code 2003. It provides all the statutory provisions needed to be observed before onboarding locals. Below are some items that employers need to know. 

Employee Contract

Moldovan Employment Contracts must contain the necessary details of the employee, as well as the terms and conditions of employment. It must be in writing using the local language. 

Probation Period

Probation Period for newly hired Moldovan employees will be up to six months. 

Public and Provincial Holidays

Date Name Type
1 Jan New Year’s Day National holiday
7 Jan Orthodox Christmas Day National holiday, Orthodox
8 Jan Orthodox Christmas Day holiday National holiday, Orthodox
8 Mar International Women’s Day National holiday
16 Apr Orthodox Easter Sunday National holiday, Orthodox
17 Apr Orthodox Easter Monday National holiday, Orthodox
24 Apr Memorial Day/Parents’ Day National holiday
1 May International Day of Solidarity of Workers National holiday
9 May Victory Day National holiday
1 Jun International Children’s Day National holiday
27 Aug Independence Day National holiday
31 Aug Language Day National holiday
25 Dec Christmas Day National holiday

Employee Leaves

Type of Leave Time Period Mandatory
Annual Leave 28 days  Yes
Sick Leave 5 days Yes
Maternity Leave 126 days Yes

 

Leave Compliance

Payroll in Moldova

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Payroll cycle

Salaries in Moldova are released on a monthly basis

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Minimum wage

The minimum wage in Moldova is MDL 3,500.00 per month.

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Overtime pay

The compensation for the first two hours of overtime work in Moldova is 150% of the employee’s hourly rate. The succeeding hours will be worth 200%.

How taxes work

Employer Payroll Tax

Type of Contribution Tax Rate
Social Security Contribution (SSC)
  • 24% for employers private sector, higher education, and medical institutions
  • 32% for employees working in special conditions
  • 18% for employers in agriculture (an additional 6% will be provided by the state budget)

Employee Payroll Tax

Type of Contribution Tax Rate
Health Insurance 9%

Employee Income Tax

For residents (standard taxation):

Type of income Rate
Income from employment, including benefits in kind and from professional or entrepreneurial activity 12%
Capital gains
Other taxable income
Individual entrepreneurs
Income for farming enterprises 7%

For residents (final taxation):

Type of Income Rate
Dividends, except for 2008 to 2011 profit distribution 6%
Dividends related to 2008 to 2011 profit distribution 15%
Income from the withdrawn amount from the share equity related to previously increased share equity upon distribution of the net profit and/or other sources recorded in the owners’ equity between shareholders (associates) according the participation share in the equity for the fiscal period 2010/11. 15%
Gains from promotional campaigns 12% for the amount exceeding 27,000 Moldovan lei (MDL) for each gain
Gambling revenues 18%
Winnings from lotteries and sport bets 18% for the amount exceeding 1% of the personal allowance (i.e. MDL 270) for each win
Royalty paid to individuals 12%
Income from performance of independent activities in retail sales (except excisable goods) 1%, but not less than MDL 3,000 per calendar year
Income from supply of phytotechnical, horticultural, and zootechnical products 6%
Money donated by legal entities to individuals who do not perform business activity 6%

For non-residents:

Type of Income Rate
Income from employment, including benefits in kind 12%
Dividends, except for 2008 to 2011 profit distribution 6%
Dividends related to 2008 to 2011 profit distribution 15%
Income from the withdrawn amount from the share equity related to previously increased share equity upon distribution of the net profit and/or other sources recorded in the owners’ equity between shareholders (associates) according to the participation share in the equity for the fiscal period 2010/11. 15%
Other types of income 12%

 

Bonus

13th Month Pay

A 13th month pay is not mandatory in Moldova.

Employee Benefits

Below are some benefits that employees in Moldova receives:

  • Social insurance and Assistance
  • Retirement and Pension
  • Sickness Benefit
  • Statutory Leaves

Employee offboarding

An employee termination in Moldova may generally occur under the unwillful circumstances or due to an initiative of either the employee or employer. For the latter, a notice must be provided regarding the decision. 

Employees are given up to 60 days of notice period before dismissal.

Terminated employees will be given a severance pay equivalent to the average weekly salary for every year of service.

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Visa and
immigration

Foreign employees must secure a work permit from the National Agency for Employment of the Ministry of Economy before they can legally work in Moldova. It has a short validity of 90 days but can be renewed thereafter. 

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