Remote Work in Moldova
Moldova has positioned itself as an attractive destination for digital nomads and remote workers, particularly with the launch of its Digital Nomad Visa in September 2025.
Digital Nomad Visa
Launched: September 20, 2025
Duration: 12 months, renewable once (24 months total)
Income Requirement: $1,500-2,000/month from foreign sources
Tax: 12% flat rate, no mandatory social/health contributions
Benefits:
- Legal status for remote work
- Access to Moldova's world-class internet
- Extremely low living costs
- Schengen-adjacent location
Internet Infrastructure
Moldova's internet is exceptional—a major draw for remote workers:
Rankings and Speed:
- 3rd globally for gigabit coverage (~90% population)
- Average speeds: 234 Mbps download, 195.2 Mbps upload
- 86% household broadband penetration
- 5G expansion underway
- 80.2% internet penetration (2.40 million users)
Reliability: Generally excellent in cities, improving in rural areas
Cost: Avg €9/month for high-speed fiber
Providers:
- Moldtelecom
- StarNet
- Orange Moldova
- Multiple fiber providers
Coworking Spaces
Chisinau Options:
- Tekwill - tech hub with coworking
- InoHub - startup focus
- Local coworking cafes - growing
Costs: €50-150/month for dedicated desk
Availability: Growing but limited compared to Western Europe
Work Environment
Home Office:
- Most remote workers work from home
- Apartments spacious enough for dedicated office
- Reliable internet essential (check before renting)
Cafes:
- Growing cafe culture in Chisinau
- WiFi available but variable quality
- €2-4 for coffee, can work for hours
Tax Implications for Digital Nomads
Tax Residency: 183+ days = tax resident
Digital Nomad Visa Holders:
- 12% flat personal income tax
- No mandatory social security contributions
- No mandatory health insurance contributions
- Self-employed: ~21.4% of 70% of income for social security
Reporting: Keep records of foreign income sources
Recommendation: Consult tax advisor for personal situation
Time Zones
Moldova Time: EET (UTC+2) winter, EEST (UTC+3) summer
Overlap with:
- US East Coast: 7 hours ahead (some morning overlap)
- US West Coast: 10 hours ahead (minimal overlap)
- Asia: Good overlap with Singapore, India
- Europe: Perfect overlap with EU
Digital Nomad Community
Size: Small but growing since visa launch
Meetups: Informal gatherings, online groups
Facebook Groups: "Digital Nomads Moldova", "Expats in Chisinau"
Events: Occasional tech and networking events at Tekwill
Challenges for Remote Workers
Language Barrier: Limited English outside expat circles
Time Zone: Difficult for US West Coast hours
Infrastructure: Outside Chisinau, services more limited
Visa Limits: 24-month maximum stay
Isolation: Small expat community
Best Practices
- Test internet before committing to accommodation
- Backup connection: Mobile hotspot as failsafe
- Coworking trial: Try spaces before monthly commitment
- Community: Join expat groups to combat isolation
- VPN: Consider for security and accessing geo-restricted content
Pro Tips
- •Moldova has world-class internet—one of the best globally for remote work
- •Digital nomad visa offers 24 months total stay with 12% flat tax
- •Chisinau has growing coworking scene, though less developed than Western Europe
- •Time zone works well for Europe and Asia, challenging for US West Coast
- •Test internet speed at apartment before signing lease—crucial for remote work
Have questions about working remotely in Moldova?