Q&A

Digital Nomads

Applicable legal framework

A digital nomad is defined by Law no. 200 of 16.07.2010 on the regime of foreigners in the Republic of Moldova as a foreign national who obtains the right of temporary residence under this law and carries out remote work activities using information and communication technologies, exclusively for legal entities registered outside the Republic of Moldova, in one of the following capacities:

• employee under an individual employment contract;
• service provider under a service contract;
• shareholder/partner or administrator of a foreign legal entity for which they provide remote management services.

Digital nomads may obtain and extend the right of temporary residence in Moldova under the conditions set out in Article 37² of the Law on the regime of foreigners.

Procedural steps for obtaining the right of residence

1. Preparation of the document package (see the full list in section 3).
2. Submission of the application to the General Inspectorate for Migration (GIM), in person or through an authorized representative.
3. Assessment of the application by the competent authority.
4. Decision on granting the right of residence.
5. Issuance of the temporary residence permit.

Mandatory documents for the initial application

According to Article 37² para. (2) and, where applicable, para. (3), the digital nomad shall submit the following documents:

• Travel document accepted for border crossing authorization (passport) – original and copy;
• Proof of accommodation on the territory of the Republic of Moldova (right of use or ownership), such as:
  • lease agreement; or
  • accommodation services agreement with a hotel organization.
• Criminal record certificate (or equivalent document), legalized/apostilled by the authorities of the country of which the foreigner is a citizen and translated (Romanian or English). If the applicant has resided for at least 2 years in a country other than the country of origin, the certificate issued by the country of residence and proof of the right of residence must be submitted;
• For extension of the right of residence, the criminal record certificate is not required;
• Proof of valid health insurance in the Republic of Moldova;
• Bank statement (Romanian or English) confirming monthly income/means of subsistence derived from the activity performed, in an amount of at least 18 forecasted average salaries in the Republic of Moldova for the current year (three average salaries per month), for the last 6 months prior to the date of submitting the application for temporary residence.

Additional documents depending on status:

If the activity is performed under an employment contract or service contract:

• Employment/service contract with the foreign legal entity, legalized/apostilled and translated into Romanian.
• Declaration on own responsibility regarding remote work activity.

If the applicant is a shareholder/partner of a foreign legal entity:

• Official document issued within the last 3 months by the authorities of the country of registration, legalized/apostilled and translated into Romanian, confirming shareholder/partner status and that the company is not insolvent or in liquidation.

Duration of the permit

• The permit is granted for the requested period but may not exceed 2 years.
• It may be extended in accordance with the same procedure and eligibility conditions.

Fees and costs

The Law on state fees no. 213 of 31.07.2023 establishes the standard fees charged by the General Inspectorate for Migration for processing temporary residence applications. Amounts are updated periodically and may vary depending on the examination timeframe (standard or expedited). Typically, costs include:

• Fee for examination of the residence application;
• Fee for issuing the residence permit;
• Possible costs for translation, legalization and apostille of documents;
• Mandatory health insurance (variable cost depending on the provider).

Eligibility requirements for digital nomads

To be eligible, the applicant must cumulatively demonstrate the following, by submitting the set of documents listed in section 3:

1. Qualification as a digital nomad, according to the definition provided in the Law on the regime of foreigners;
2. Intention to remain in Moldova beyond the legal period of stay;
3. Stable income obtained exclusively from remote work for a foreign legal entity / as a shareholder of a foreign company: at least 18 forecasted average salaries in the Republic of Moldova for the current year, for the last 6 months prior to the date of application;
4. Continuity of the activity throughout the validity of the residence permit;
5. Activity performed remotely through information technologies;
6. No criminal record;
7. Valid health insurance in Moldova;
8. Proof of an address of residence in the Republic of Moldova.

Extension of the right of residence: procedure and conditions

To extend the right of residence for a period of up to 2 years, the digital nomad must:

• Submit a new application before the expiry of the current permit;
• Submit the set of documents listed in section 3;
• Demonstrate continuity of remote work activity;
• *Note that the criminal record certificate is not required for extension;

Beneficiary obligations after obtaining the right of residence 

The digital nomad must comply with the following obligations:

1. Maintain valid health insurance throughout the entire period of stay;
2. Keep supporting documents regarding income and remote activity;
3. Notify the authorities in case of changes in legal situation (e.g., termination of the contract with the foreign company);
4. Other obligations provided by law.

Family members: granting and extension of temporary residence for family reunification 

The Law on the regime of foreigners, under Article 38, allows foreigners to apply for a right of residence for family members for the purpose of family reunification, provided that the applicant:

• holds a valid residence permit;
• demonstrates sufficient means of subsistence also for family members;
• submits supporting documents proving the family relationship and other documents required for this type of residence (Article 38 para. (2)), translated and apostilled.

The application is submitted personally by the foreigner holding the right of residence at the Single Desk for Documentation of Foreigners within the GIM. Family members receive permits whose validity may not exceed the validity period of the applicant’s permit. Documents must be submitted 30 calendar days before the expiry of the residence period. Failure to meet the submission deadline is subject to administrative sanction. The presence of both family members is mandatory.

The list of required documents can be found at the following link: https://igm.gov.md/en/imigration/provisional-stay/provisional-stay-for-family-reunification/