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A Comprehensive Guide on Moving to Moldova

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  • Ivan Dlouhy

    When I was offered a posting in Chisinau, I was skeptical at first. But this expat community made settling in so much easier.

Relocating to Moldova

The Land and Its People

The Republic of Moldova is a landlocked sovereign state in Eastern Europe covering 33,846 km² of land. Moldova declared itself independent after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, and adopted its constitution in 1994.

Of its estimated population of 3.5 million in 2014, around 75% identify as Moldovan, with Ukrainians, Russians, Romanians, and Gaguaz the next largest groups. Although the expatriate community in Moldova is not as large as other countries, the developing economy is encouraging more expats to move to Moldova.

The official language of Moldova is Romanian, however many of its inhabitants also speak Russian or Ukrainian, sometimes as their first language. There is an ongoing debate in Moldova about the existence and status of the Moldovan language; however, Romanian remains the official language at this time.

As an expatriate moving to Moldova you would be advised to learn some Romanian, as many people, especially in rural areas, do not speak English.

Getting to Moldova

Although Moldova has a total of 12 airports, only seven of these have paved runways and are capable of accommodating major commercial planes. The country’s main airport, Chişinău International Airport, has international flights to and from 20 different countries, and so is the primary point of entry for expatriates and their families moving to Moldova.

The only other IATA listed airport in Moldova is Bălți International Airport, which also has international arrivals and departures, although on a less frequent basis than Chişinău.

As it is a landlocked country, it is not possible to move your belongings to Moldova via ship. Therefore many expatriates ship items to Ukraine or Romania, and then drive them over the border into Moldova.

The Climate in Moldova

Living in Moldova means adjusting to a moderate Continental climate, and its close proximity to the Black Sea means it has mild, sunny weather almost all year round.

Summers in Moldova are traditionally very long, lasting from May to September, and have an average temperature of around 20°C, but in some cases it can reach up to 41.5°C.

The winter months are milder — January is the coldest month at around -4°C — with very little precipitation. What precipitation Moldova does get is usually concentrated in October and November.

Sep 30, 2023, 4:00 PM
26 attendees
A Feast for All Senses in Chisinau We extend a warm invitation to you to join us for a vibrant Oktoberfest celebration in the heart of Chisinau! This event promises an unforgettable experience that t
Aug 3, 2023, 5:30 PM
26 attendees
Chill, Connect & Refresh: Hugo Spritz Summer Soirée – After Work Edition! Get ready for an exciting summer after-work gathering with the Internations Chisinau Community at our upcoming event - Summer
Jul 23, 2023, 12:00 PM
23 attendees
Join us and enjoy the Summer Lake BBQ Party! We'll provide a sizzling grill and refreshing water. All you need to do is bring your own food, or if you'd like to share something culturally special with
Join us for an evening of relaxed networking and delightful flavors at Brews, Ribs & Cheers: A Flavorful Networking Affair event, hosted at the Beer Pub Craft Baza located at Str. Constantin Tănase

See all upcoming events for expats in Moldova

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  • Ivan Dlouhy

    When I was offered a posting in Chisinau, I was skeptical at first. But this expat community made settling in so much easier.

  • Kim Demers

    My expat friends from InterNations helped me discover Moldavia's historical and cultural heritage!

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Moldova Guide Topics