--- title: "Moldova Free economic zone work 2026: MDL 17.4k+/mo needed" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/moldova/work-free-economic-zone/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-11 --- Moldova · Work # Moldova Free economic zone work **Income needed:** MDL 17k+ a month ≈ $970 Temporary residence for work: employees of free economic zone residents First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026, some details partly verified [Record corrected 11 Oct 2026](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/corrections/#change-md-work-free-economic-zone) [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **Income needed:** MDL 17k+ a month ≈ $970 (Income of at least MDL 17,400 a month (≈ $970) · Contract salary not lower than the forecast average monthly salary for the year (MDL 17,400 for 2026). A fee of MDL 500 (≈ $28) · Temporary residence permit card (IR): IGM fee MDL 350 plus state fee MDL 150 for the standard 20-working-day issue; faster issue costs more (up to MDL 1,750 plus MDL 150 for same-day).) - **Who can apply:** Any passport ## Key facts Free economic zone work is a work route for Moldova. Applicants need income of MDL 17k+ a month ≈ $970. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source. - **Money needed:** MDL 17k+ a month ≈ $970 - **Government fees:** MDL 500 ≈ $28 - **Processing:** Up to 30 days ## Cost, time and long term To apply: government fee MDL 500 ≈ $28; income to show MDL 17k+/mo ≈ $970; decision: up to 30 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included. **Government fees: MDL 500 ≈ $28** - MDL 500 (≈ $28) Temporary residence permit card (IR): IGM fee MDL 350 (≈ $20) plus state fee MDL 150 (≈ $8) for the standard 20-working-day issue; faster issue costs more (up to MDL 1,750 (≈ $98) plus MDL 150 (≈ $8) for same-day). **Shown, not spent: MDL 17k+/mo ≈ $970** - MDL 17,400 a month (≈ $970) Contract salary not lower than the forecast average monthly salary for the year (MDL 17,400 (≈ $970) for 2026). **Renewal: Renewable** Granted for the contract period and extendable. [General Inspectorate for Migration, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova](https://old.igm.gov.md/imigrare/sederea-provizorie/munca/acordarea-si-prelungirea-dreptului-de-sedere-in-scop-de-munca-strainilor-angajati-ai-rezidentilor-zonelor-economice-libere-zel/) **Permanent residence: Time here doesn't count** This category is excluded from the temporary residence years that lead to permanent residence. [General Inspectorate for Migration, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova](https://old.igm.gov.md/sederea-permanenta/) **Processing: Up to 30 days** The examination period is 30 days, or 10 days with the urgency fee. [General Inspectorate for Migration, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova](https://old.igm.gov.md/imigrare/sederea-provizorie/) ## Why this route may not fit Check this before you apply. - Time on this route doesn't count toward permanent residence - Needs a job offer from an employer in Moldova ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - Applicant is employed by a resident of a free economic zone. #### What you must show - Monthly salary of at least MDL 17,400, (≈ $970) the 2026 forecast average monthly salary. #### Documents - Request from the chief administrator of the free economic zone. - Employment contract stating the monthly salary. - Criminal-record certificate and proof of housing in Moldova. #### Steps 1. File at the single desk for foreigners at least 15 days before the current legal stay ends. ## What happens at day 183 How Moldova decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records. - **Tax residence:** - **More than 183 days in a fiscal year** Presence in Moldova for more than 183 days in total during the fiscal year makes a foreign national resident. - **Foreign-source income:** Residents are taxed on Moldovan-source income and on foreign-source income earned for activity in Moldova. [All tax rules for Moldova](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/moldova/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026 ## What you need to arrange - **Accommodation** Criminal-record certificate and proof of housing in Moldova - **Police certificate and civil documents** Criminal-record certificate and proof of housing in Moldova Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts. **Full official text** Residence for foreign employees of residents of Moldova free economic zones, requested by the zone administrator, with at least the forecast average salary. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4) #### What you must show and pay - Income of at least MDL 17,400 a month (≈ $970) · Contract salary not lower than the forecast average monthly salary for the year (MDL 17,400 (≈ $970) for 2026). (sources 1, 3) - A fee of MDL 500 (≈ $28) · Temporary residence permit card (IR): IGM fee MDL 350 (≈ $20) plus state fee MDL 150 (≈ $8) for the standard 20-working-day issue; faster issue costs more (up to MDL 1,750 (≈ $98) plus MDL 150 (≈ $8) for same-day). (source 4) #### Requirements - Applicant is employed by a resident of a free economic zone. (source 1) - Monthly salary of at least MDL 17,400, (≈ $970) the 2026 forecast average monthly salary. (sources 1, 3) - Request from the chief administrator of the free economic zone. (source 1) - Employment contract stating the monthly salary. (source 1) - Criminal-record certificate and proof of housing in Moldova. (source 1) - File at the single desk for foreigners at least 15 days before the current legal stay ends. (sources 1, 5) #### Stay - Residence right for the contract period; extendable. - Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal. #### Work Work for the zone resident named in the contract. Checked 2026-10-11 · partly verified ## Official sources 1. [Residence for work: employees of free economic zone residents](https://old.igm.gov.md/imigrare/sederea-provizorie/munca/acordarea-si-prelungirea-dreptului-de-sedere-in-scop-de-munca-strainilor-angajati-ai-rezidentilor-zonelor-economice-libere-zel/) · General Inspectorate for Migration, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova · checked 2026-10-11 2. [Temporary residence for work: categories](https://old.igm.gov.md/imigrare/sederea-provizorie/dreptul-de-sedere-provizorie-cu-scop-de-munca/) · General Inspectorate for Migration, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova · checked 2026-10-11 3. [Government approves the 2026 minimum wage and the average monthly wage of MDL 17,400](https://gov.md/en/print/pdf/node/5613) · Government of the Republic of Moldova · checked 2026-10-11 4. [Documentation of foreigners with identity documents: permit fees and issue times](https://old.igm.gov.md/documentarea-cu-acte-de-identitate-pentru-straini/) · General Inspectorate for Migration (IGM), Ministry of Internal Affairs · checked 2026-10-11 5. [Temporary residence right: purposes and procedure](https://old.igm.gov.md/imigrare/sederea-provizorie/) · General Inspectorate for Migration, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova · checked 2026-10-11 6. [Permanent residence right](https://old.igm.gov.md/sederea-permanenta/) · General Inspectorate for Migration, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova · checked 2026-10-11 ## Free economic zone work and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Free economic zone work | Needs income of MDL 17k+ a month ≈ $970 | – | – | | [IT Visa · specialist](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/moldova/it-specialist/) | Needs income of MDL 17k+ a month ≈ $970 | 2 yr, renewable | – | | [IT Visa · manager](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/moldova/it-manager/) | Needs income of MDL 17k+ a month ≈ $970 | 4 yr, renewable | – | | [National investment project work](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/moldova/work-national-investment-project/) | – | – | – | | [Highly qualified worker](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/moldova/work-highly-qualified/) | – | – | – | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the Free economic zone work? Income of at least MDL 17,400 a month (≈ $970). Contract salary not lower than the forecast average monthly salary for the year (MDL 17,400 (≈ $970) for 2026). A fee of MDL 500 (≈ $28). Temporary residence permit card (IR): IGM fee MDL 350 (≈ $20) plus state fee MDL 150 (≈ $8) for the standard 20-working-day issue; faster issue costs more (up to MDL 1,750 (≈ $98) plus MDL 150 (≈ $8) for same-day). ### How long can I stay on the Free economic zone work? Residence right for the contract period; extendable. ### How long does the Free economic zone work take to process? The examination period is 30 days, or 10 days with the urgency fee. ### Can I work on the Free economic zone work? Work for the zone resident named in the contract. ### Does the Free economic zone work lead to permanent residence in Moldova? Time on the Free economic zone work doesn't count toward permanent residence in Moldova. ### How are Free economic zone work holders taxed in Moldova? No special regime in our records is tied to the Free economic zone work. The standard rules apply: Resident individuals pay income tax at 12% of annual taxable income after a personal exemption of MDL 29,700 (≈ $1,660) a year in 2026; employees pay a 9% mandatory health premium out of gross pay and the employer pays social contributions on top. Residents are taxed on Moldovan-source income and on foreign-source income earned for activity in Moldova. ## More in Moldova [Digital nomad residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/moldova/digital-nomad/) [Immigrant worker permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/moldova/work-immigrant-worker/) [Foreign-investment manager](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/moldova/manager-foreign-investment-company/) [Posted worker permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/moldova/work-posted-worker/) [Priority occupation work](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/moldova/work-priority-occupation/) [Teaching, health and sport work](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/moldova/work-teaching-culture-health-sport/) [Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/moldova/student/) ## Work visas elsewhere [🇵🇹 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/eu-blue-card/) [🇪🇸 EU Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/eu-blue-card/) [🇬🇪 IT sector permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/it-residence-permit/) [🇮🇹 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/eu-blue-card/) [🇬🇷 Large-company director permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/company-executive-b3/) [🇩🇪 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/eu-blue-card/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-11 against 6 official sources.** Status: partly verified; the page marks the facts an official source does not fully confirm. Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out. 1. [Residence for work: employees of free economic zone residents](https://old.igm.gov.md/imigrare/sederea-provizorie/munca/acordarea-si-prelungirea-dreptului-de-sedere-in-scop-de-munca-strainilor-angajati-ai-rezidentilor-zonelor-economice-libere-zel/) · General Inspectorate for Migration, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova · checked 2026-10-11 2. [Temporary residence for work: categories](https://old.igm.gov.md/imigrare/sederea-provizorie/dreptul-de-sedere-provizorie-cu-scop-de-munca/) · General Inspectorate for Migration, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova · checked 2026-10-11 3. [Government approves the 2026 minimum wage and the average monthly wage of MDL 17,400](https://gov.md/en/print/pdf/node/5613) · Government of the Republic of Moldova · checked 2026-10-11 4. [Documentation of foreigners with identity documents: permit fees and issue times](https://old.igm.gov.md/documentarea-cu-acte-de-identitate-pentru-straini/) · General Inspectorate for Migration (IGM), Ministry of Internal Affairs · checked 2026-10-11 5. [Temporary residence right: purposes and procedure](https://old.igm.gov.md/imigrare/sederea-provizorie/) · General Inspectorate for Migration, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova · checked 2026-10-11 6. [Permanent residence right](https://old.igm.gov.md/sederea-permanenta/) · General Inspectorate for Migration, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moldova · checked 2026-10-11 Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.