Moving to Moldova

Living in Moldova as an expat

Far from being a conventional expat destination, Moldova is a small, green, hilly and rather inconspicuous landlocked country in Eastern Europe. Although easily overlooked, adventurous and open-minded expats may see Moldova as an opportunity to experience life in a relatively untouched part of the world. That said, it is important for expats not to underestimate the challenging aspects of moving to Moldova.

Working in Moldova

Most of the expats living in Moldova are located in the country’s capital, Chișinău. Moldova’s expat population mainly consists of those employed by NGOs, embassies and multinational companies.

The country’s economy is dominated by the service sector, with the agriculture and food processing industries also serving as major employers. A former Soviet state, Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe, although it continues to experience significant economic growth.

Poverty is especially visible in rural areas, and unemployment within the country is high, so expats should only start planning their move once they have secured a job.

Moldovan culture

Moldova has a rich and complex history with a diverse multicultural population. Locals are well known for their hospitality. Politeness is key, so be sure to return any greetings you receive and accept all social invitations.

The official language of Moldova is Romanian, but Russian is also widely spoken. Expats who have a basic grasp of either of these will find it much easier to settle into life in Moldova and integrate into their new communities.

Finding accommodation in Moldova

Expat accommodation in Moldova is generally affordable, priced below what you’d expect to pay in other parts of Europe. As a result, expats here often live in upmarket apartments with contemporary finishings and a range of amenities.

If you’re working remotely and don’t require easy access to the inner city, you can get even more bang for your buck by looking for housing in the countryside. Moldova has a tradition of beautiful country homes with traditional architecture and sprawling gardens.

Cost of living in Moldova

Compared to locals, expats tend to be high earners, and as a result, the cost of living in Moldova is low for them, especially if they choose to shop locally. This allows expats to enjoy some of Moldova’s best assets, like its excellent wine farms.

The cost of accommodation and public transport in Moldova is also one of the lowest in Europe. The biggest expense for expats and parents will likely be private health insurance and international school fees.

Cost of Living Chart for Moldova

Living in Moldova with children

The standard of healthcare in Moldova is poor compared to Western Europe or North America. Therefore, expat families should invest in a comprehensive health insurance policy that provides coverage for treatment elsewhere in Europe.

When it comes to leisure time, you’ll have plenty to see and do. The unspoilt Moldovan countryside is possibly one of the country’s best features. The capital is also a green city with plenty of parks and botanical gardens where expats can enjoy the great outdoors. Architecture and history buffs will be right at home in Moldova, with many interesting churches and museums ready to be discovered.

Finding a school in Moldova

Expats considering bringing a family to Moldova should note that it can be challenging to find a suitable school, as most teach in Romanian. For that reason, most parents enrol their children in international schools rather than public schools. Despite the demand for these schools, there are only a handful of international schools in Moldova, so space is limited.

Getting around in Moldova

If, like most expats, you’ll be based in Chișinău, you should find it fairly easy to get around thanks to a well-designed public transport system consisting of buses and trolleybuses. The public transport system connects Chișinău’s suburbs and city centre. The system is cheap and easy to use, and buses arrive frequently.

Taxis are also easily available and affordable here. If you don’t speak a local language, it’s best to download a taxi-hailing app, as this makes it much easier to ensure you’re headed to the right place.

Climate and weather in Moldova

Characterised by warm summers and relatively mild winters, the climate in Moldova is moderately continental and features frequent dry spells. Sometimes heat waves can occur in summer, but for the most part, Moldova’s weather is easy enough to live with.

Weather in Moldova

It would be inaccurate to claim that Moldova is the perfect expat destination – on the contrary, life here can be challenging in many ways. Still, those who open themselves up to the friendly Moldovan locals and their way of life are sure to have a culturally rich experience like no other.

Fast facts

Population: 3 million

Capital city: Chișinău

Neighbouring countries: Bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east and south.

Geography: Moldova is landlocked and surrounded by its neighbours, Romania and Ukraine. Most of Moldova lies between the Prut and Dniester rivers.

Main languages: Moldovan (a dialect of Romanian) and Russian

Major religions: Orthodox Christianity

Legal system: Parliamentary republic

Time: GMT+2 (GMT+3 from the last Sunday of March to the last Sunday of October)

Electricity: 230V, 50Hz. Plugs use round two-pins.

Currency: The Moldovan Leu (MDL) can be subdivided into 100 bani. ATMs and card facilities are widely available in all major urban centres.

International dialling code: +373

Internet domain: .md

Emergency numbers: 112

Transport and driving: Vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road. Public transport is extensive in the capital city, and taxis are readily available at a reasonable cost.