Forming a company in Moldova is a structured, multi-step process that rewards preparation. The checklist below is the one we use with international founders, ordered to minimise rework and to keep the dossier moving cleanly through ASP (Agenția Servicii Publice) and the bank. It covers structure, KYC, power of attorney, name approval, registration, licensing, the relevant tax regime, banking, and ongoing compliance.
1. Decide on a business structure {#business-structure}
Selecting the right legal structure is the foundation of the business. The main options in Moldova are:
- Limited Liability Company (SRL, Societate cu Răspundere Limitată). Limited liability and flexible governance. The default for SMEs, IT firms, and most foreign-owned ventures.
- Joint Stock Company (SA, Societate pe Acțiuni). For larger investment vehicles, where the ability to issue shares matters.
- Individual Entrepreneur (II). A simple structure for solo activity. A narrower fit for cross-border founders.
- General Partnership. Two or more individuals sharing profits and liabilities without a separate corporate veil.
- Limited Partnership. Combines general partners with limited liability partners.
For most international founders the SRL is the right choice. There is no statutory minimum share capital under Law 135/2007; the historical MDL 5,400 figure was abolished. Banks may ask for proof of operational funding at account opening as a separate, practical matter rather than a legal one.
2. Choose a unique company name {#company-name}
Selecting a unique, compliant name is critical for both legal registration and brand identity. We guide founders through the rules under Article 182 of the Civil Code and pre-approve the proposed name with ASP before drafting the articles. The name must include the legal form in Romanian (SRL, SA), must be unique on the ASP register, and must not infringe existing trademarks. A short trademark search before reservation avoids objections at submission. See choosing a company name in Moldova for the full naming guide.
3. Submit KYC documentation {#kyc-documentation}
To proceed with company formation in Moldova, we collect comprehensive Know Your Customer documentation for every Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO), shareholder, and administrator. The package includes:
- Passport copy
- Recent bank statement (typically within the last three months)
- Recent utility bill or proof of residential address
- A short personal information form covering full name, date and place of birth, address of residence, source of wealth, tax residence, and other relevant details
KYC is run to EU standards aligned with Moldova's Law 308/2017 on AML/CFT and supports both the registration file and the bank account opening file in one workstream. This thorough process is what makes the rest of the dossier defensible at every counter, from ASP to the bank to the tax authority.
4. Notarise and apostille the power of attorney {#power-of-attorney}
For successful completion of company formation in Moldova it is necessary to sign and notarise a power of attorney in the name of our representing lawyer. We provide the full text of this POA in both Romanian and English to make sure the founder understands exactly what they are signing. The founder acts under a power of attorney notarised and apostilled in their country of residence; supporting documents are accepted as scans or as physical copies, whichever the client prefers.
For founders located in countries with a Moldovan consulate, we can arrange the appointment at the closest consulate, where a Romanian-speaking notarial officer is available and a translator can be requested. For founders in countries without a Moldovan diplomatic mission, the document is signed before any local notary and apostilled separately under the Hague Apostille Convention. We coordinate the wording, the apostille route, and the timing so the POA is valid at every counter where it will be presented.
5. Name approval and company registration {#name-approval}
Once we receive the preferred name, we run the compliance check against ASP requirements. After the name is cleared, the dossier goes to ASP and the registration decision typically issues within one to three working days for clean files. ASP issues the unique identification code (IDNO) and the tax code, and transmits the registration to SFS, CNAS, and the statistics office automatically without separate filings.
This efficient process is a significant advantage of the Moldovan system compared with many neighbouring jurisdictions, where founders often have to file separately at three or four different authorities after registration.
6. Licences and permits review {#licenses-permits}
Once the company is set up, we provide consultation on any licences and permits the business may need for legal compliance. Most activities do not require a sectoral licence; only those listed in the Annexes of Law 160/2011 are subject to licensing through SIA GEAP. Below is an indicative list of regulated areas where we can support an application:
Precious metals and stones; pawn shops
- Licensing for activities with precious metals and stones; operation of pawn shops.
Alcohol and tobacco
- Licence for import and storage of ethyl alcohol; wholesale of imported alcoholic products and beer.
- Licence for manufacturing ethyl alcohol, beer, and alcoholic products (excluding wine and grape-must based) and wholesale.
- Licence for import of tobacco products; industrial processing of tobacco; manufacturing of tobacco products and wholesale.
Recycling and waste management
- Licence for collection, storage, processing, trading, and export of ferrous and non-ferrous metal waste, used batteries, and accumulators.
Firearms and explosives
- Licence for manufacturing, assembling, import/export, commercialising firearms and ammunition for civilian use, and repair.
- Licence for production, import, export, commercialisation, storage of explosive materials and civil-use explosive work.
- Licence for production, assembly, import, export, storage, commercialisation of pyrotechnic articles and professional pyrotechnic shows.
Duty-free and customs operations
- Licence for duty-free shops in airports and on aircraft.
- Licence for duty-free shops in ports and on ships.
- Licence for duty-free bars and restaurants on board ships.
- Licence for customs broker activities.
Information security
- Licence for activities related to the protection of information, including import/export of special technical means and cryptographic and technical information protection services.
Casinos and gambling
- Licence for casino activities.
Employment and educational exchange
- Licence for domestic and foreign employment placement and educational-cultural exchange programmes involving paid employment.
Food and pharmaceutical industry
- Licence for pharmaceutical activities.
Financial and banking services
- Licence for banking activities (issued by BNM).
- Licence for cash foreign exchange activities (excluding banks).
- Licence for payment services by payment companies, electronic money issuers, and postal service providers.
- Licence for issuing electronic money.
Insurance and financial markets
- Licence for insurers, reinsurers, insurance and reinsurance brokers (issued by CNPF).
- Licence for asset management of non-state pension funds.
- Licence for savings and loan associations.
- Licence for capital market activities: investment companies, market operators, trust investment management.
- Licence for credit history bureau activities.
Energy and fuel
- Licence for import and wholesale or retail trade of gasoline, diesel, and liquefied gas at fuel stations.
- Licence for electricity production, market operation, transport, distribution, and supply.
- Licence for natural gas production, transport, distribution, storage, supply, and CNG supply at fuel stations.
- Licence for public water supply and sewage services at regional, district, municipal, city, village, or commune levels.
- Licence for production, distribution, and supply of thermal energy.
- Licence for renewable electricity, renewable thermal energy, biogas, and biofuel production.
Communications and broadcasting
- Licence for using radio channels, frequencies, and numbering resources for electronic communication networks and services.
- Licence for broadcasting activities for the distribution of programme services via terrestrial radioelectric or other telecommunication means.
For a deeper read, see the business licensing guide and the business licensing service.
7. Accounting and fiscal regime {#accounting-fiscal-laws}
After registration, our accountant introduces the founder to the accounting requirements, fiscal laws, and ongoing obligations associated with operating a business in Moldova. Accounting and fiscal law in Moldova are governed by a set of regulations broadly aligned with international standards.
Accounting standards and reporting
- Accounting standards. Moldova requires IFRS for public-interest entities (banks, insurance companies, listed companies) and large companies meeting statutory thresholds. SMEs apply the National Accounting Standards (NAS), a simplified framework.
- Financial reporting. Companies prepare annual financial statements: balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement, statement of changes in equity, and explanatory notes. Statutory audit applies to public-interest entities and to companies meeting the thresholds defined in the Law on Accounting and Financial Reporting.
- Filing. Statements are submitted electronically through SFS portals.
Corporate income tax
The corporate income tax rate is applied to net profit. Rates and regimes vary by activity:
- Standard CIT: 12% on net profit for ordinary SRLs.
- 0% on reinvested profits for qualifying SMEs (turnover up to MDL 100M and up to 249 employees), in force through 2026. CIT of 12% and a 6% dividend WHT apply on amounts actually distributed; combined effective rate on a distribution is around 17.28%.
- MITP 7% turnover tax for IT Park residents. This single tax replaces CIT, employee personal income tax, social and medical contributions, and several local taxes. VAT applies separately. There is a per-employee floor of approximately MDL 5,220 per month for 2026. The regime is guaranteed by the state through 2035.
- FEZ regimes offer reduced effective CIT rates and customs benefits, with terms varying by zone.
- Simplified 4% regime for non-VAT SRLs with turnover below MDL 1.5M.
For a deeper read, see the accounting and fiscal law guide and the tax benefits of the 0% reinvested-profits regime.
Personal income tax
A flat 12% rate on individual income, including salaries.
VAT
- Standard rate: 20% on most goods and services.
- Reduced rate: 8% on selected goods including medical products and books (the reduced list expanded in January 2026).
- Zero-rated exports with input VAT recovery.
- Registration threshold: MDL 1.5M from January 2026, rising to MDL 1.7M from March 2026.
Fiscal reporting and payments
Companies report and pay taxes in accordance with the Tax Code: regular VAT, payroll, and CIT filings on the calendar set by SFS.
Tax incentives
Moldova offers sectoral incentives in IT (MITP), industrial export (FEZ), and capital reinvestment (the 0% scheme for SMEs).
Audit requirements
Statutory audit applies to public-interest entities and companies above the size thresholds.
Regulators
The main regulators in this area are the Ministry of Finance, the State Tax Service (SFS), the National Bank of Moldova (BNM), and CNPF for capital markets and insurance.
8. Compliance and bank account opening {#compliance-banking}
Account opening at a Moldovan commercial bank is a separate process from registration, but the dossier is prepared in parallel so the company can begin operating shortly after the registration certificate is issued.
Steps
- Gather company formation documents. Registration certificate, articles, IDNO, tax code.
- Complete KYC requirements. A comprehensive KYC file built to EU standards aligned with Law 308/2017.
- Appoint legal representation. Our lawyer holds the POA covering banking-related procedures.
- Submit to the chosen bank. Documents go in alongside the company incorporation certificate and the KYC file.
- Initial bank meeting. A short introductory call with the bank, typically over Teams, to discuss the banking aspects of the setup.
Active commercial banks in Moldova
The licensed commercial banks include Maib (Moldova Agroindbank), Moldindconbank, Victoriabank, OTP Bank Moldova, EximBank, ProCredit Bank, EnergBank, EuroCreditBank, ComerțBank, and FinComBank. Moldova has been a SEPA participant since 6 October 2025, which materially reduces friction on euro payments to and from the EU. Eight of the licensed banks have SEPA participant status.
Ongoing compliance
After account opening, the standard compliance calendar includes:
- Annual financial statements
- Periodic VAT, payroll, and CIT filings
- Maintenance of the UBO register
- Annual confirmation of MITP eligibility (where applicable)
- Renewal of any sectoral licences
We handle accounting, payroll, tax filings, and the ongoing compliance calendar for the SRLs we form.
9. Simplified end-to-end process {#simplified-process}
For a more streamlined approach:
- Initial documentation. Send us the KYC file and the notarised, apostilled POA at the start of the engagement.
- End-to-end services. We handle every aspect of company formation in Moldova, including name selection, ASP submission, bank account opening, and ongoing accounting.
By entrusting the full process to a single team, founders can focus on the strategic side of the business while we handle the operational sequence. Our experience in legal services in Moldova means the journey is smooth and the company is compliant with all legal requirements from day one.
10. Conclusion {#conclusion}
Incorpore is dedicated to providing legal and operational services in Moldova, guiding founders through every step of company formation and beyond. From bank account opening to navigating ongoing business regulations, our team is positioned to help non-resident founders set up successfully and operate compliantly. Reach out to begin the process; the structure is discussed on the discovery call before any documents are drafted.
For related reading, see company formation in Moldova, bank account opening, and the step-by-step formation guide.