Your quick guide on talent and labor compliance norms in Moldova
Capital
Chișinău
Currency
Moldovan leu (MDL)
Languages
Moldovan, Romanian
Payroll Frequency
Monthly
GDP per Capita
$3,473.71
Employer Tax
18% to 32%
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
Local Universities
The top local universities in Moldova are as follows:
Local: 1
World: 5228
Local: 2
World: 5262
Local: 3
World: 5541
Local: 4
World: 5971
Local: 5
World: 7151
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 |
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.
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 for newly hired Moldovan employees will be up to six months.
| 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 |
| Type of Leave | Time Period | Mandatory |
| Annual Leave | 28 days | Yes |
| Sick Leave | 5 days | Yes |
| Maternity Leave | 126 days | Yes |
Payroll
Payroll Cycle
Salaries in Moldova are released on a monthly basis
Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in Moldova is MDL 3,500.00 per month.
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%.
Bonus
A 13th month pay is not mandatory in Moldova.
Below are some benefits that employees in Moldova receives:
Taxes
| Type of Contribution | Tax Rate |
| Social Security Contribution (SSC) |
|
| Type of Contribution | Tax Rate |
| Health Insurance | 9% |
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% |
| 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% |
| 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% |
Offboarding & Termination
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.
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.
