Business entities in Moldova in 2023
Healy Consultants will assist our Clients to incorporate their company in Moldova. There are several ways of doing business in Moldova, the most common being the setting up of a Moldovan limited liability company. Foreign entrepreneurs may also opt to set up a corporation, limited liability partnership, a branch office or a representative office.
The Moldova limited liability company (SRL)
- The Moldova LLC requires only 1 director and 1 shareholder of any nationality for incorporation process to be complete. The minimum paid-up capital required is US$300;
- After Moldova business setup, all locally incorporated companies must submit annual audited financial statements to the Moldovan commercial registry.
The Moldova joint stock company (SA)
The Moldova joint stock company is commonly used by investors who would like to trade shares on regulated commercial markets. The minimum paid-up share capital required to complete the incorporation process is US$1,100. A JSC must appoint at least one director and one shareholder who can be of any nationality. A Moldova corporation must submit annual audited financial statements.
The Moldova representative office
While the Moldova representative office can be 100% foreign owned, it is not allowed to carry out any income generating activities in Moldova. Consequently, this entity can only engage only in non-commercial/nonproductive activities such as i) market research and ii) promoting the business of the parent company.
Table of comparison between Moldova entities
| LLC | JSC | Rep Office | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Also known as | SRL | SA | Rep Office |
| How long to set the company up? | 2 weeks | 3 weeks | 4 weeks |
| How long to open company bank account? | 4 weeks | 5 weeks | 6 weeks |
| Legal liability? | Limited | Limited | Unlimited |
| Wholly foreign owned? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum paid - up share capital? | US$300 | US$1,100 | US$1 |
| File annual tax return? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tax registration certificate required? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Recommended corporate bank account? | Comertbank | Banca Sociala | Victoria Bank |
| Does our Client need to travel? | No | No | No |
| Resident director required? | No | No | No |
| Resident shareholder required? | No | No | No |
| Minimum directors allowed? | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Minimum shareholders? | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Tax identification code needed? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Moldova resident company secretary required? | No | No | No |
| Corporate shareholders allowed? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Corporate director(s) allowed? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Statutory audit required? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Moldova corporate tax rate? | 12% | 12% | 0% |
| Annual financial statements required? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Regulated by? | Ministry of Economy and Trade | Ministry of Economy and Trade | Ministry of Economy and Trade |
| Allowed to issue sales invoices? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Allowed to sign contracts? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Allowed to import and export goods? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Can rent an office space in Moldova? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Can buy Moldova property? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Total Moldova business setup costs in yr. 1? | US$10,145 | US$7,950 | US$7,200 |
| Subsequent annual costs (incl. accounting and tax fee)? | US$3,775 | US$4,200 | US$4,200 |
| Sample engagement invoice? | View invoice PDF | View invoice PDF | View invoice PDF |
