Moldova launched new citizenship by investment (MCBI) programme in July 2018 offering citizenship and passport to foreigners investing in the country.

Moldova’s passed new regulations in 2017 governing a new citizenship by investment program  according to Annex no.1 to the Government Decision no. from 2017 – REGULATIONS on the acquisition of citizenship through investment

Moldova CBI scheme was launched  in a bid to boost the weak levels of investment that the country has seen in recent years.

Moldova MCBI program was officially launched on Nov 5, 2018 and this program is open for applications

Benefits

• Visa-free access to 121 destinations around the world, including Russia, Turkey, and the countries in Europe’s Schengen Area
• Citizenship in a country that has a continental climate, a world-class wine industry, and picturesque, varied terrain, including forests and rocky hills
• A reasonable contribution amount and a highly efficient application process
• Full citizenship, with passport rights, for the applicant and included family members
• Dependent children up to 29 years of age and parents (of either the main applicant or the spouse) from 55 years of age can be included
• Citizenship transferable to future generations without restrictions
• Citizenship in a member state of the UN, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the World Trade Organization, and many more.

Henley and Partners won the tender to develop, design and promote the Moldova Citizenship by Investment Program (MCBI). The scheme is expected to start within the next three months by Sep 2018.

Moldova’s Minister for Economy said The MCBI program will provide our economy with valuable FDI that will enhance the daily lives of all Moldovans. Uncompromising due diligence standards and compliance procedures will guarantee the credibility, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability of the program.

Citizenship by Investment

The qualifying investments for citizenship in Moldova are

• Contribution to the Public Investment Fund (PIF) for Sustainable Development – EUR 100,000
• Real estate: EUR 250,000 (property investment) kept for 5 years (one or more real estate)

To qualify for citizenship by investment in Moldova and investments have to maintained for 60 months.

A minimum non-refundable contribution to the PIF starting from

• EUR 100,000 for a single applicant.
• EUR 115,000 is required for a couple,
• EUR 145,000 for a family of four, and EUR 155,000 for a family of five or more.
• Additional service fees total EUR 35,000 per application.

Government fees

In addition, applicants are required to pay government fees of

• EUR 5,000 for the main applicant,
• EUR 2,500 for a spouse,
• EUR 1,000 for a dependent child, and
• EUR 5,000 for a dependent parent. Dependent children can be up to 29 years of age, and dependent parents — of the main applicant as well as the spouse — who are 55 years of age or older can be included.

Due diligence fee

Due diligence fees are

• EUR 6,000 for the main applicant and
• EUR 5,000 for a spouse, dependent children older than 16 years, and/or dependent parents.

Passport fee

Biometric passport fees amount to EUR 300 per individual

Due diligence

A very rigorous four level vetting system will be employed to screen the good economic and financial reputation of people who want to acquire citizenship of the Republic of Moldova by investing in four levels.

First Level Verifications will be performed by global diligence companies (eg Binder Dijker Otte (BDO), Risk Advisory Group or Thomson Reuters) and will focus on background checks and validation of the information contained in the application forms. The last level of verification will include the rigorous verification of applications to the Program through competent authorities of the Republic of Moldova such as: Interpol, SIS, MAI, CNA.

Foreigners and families applying for MCBI scheme must be over 18 years of age.  and must have good economic and financial reputation and he/she poses no risk to Moldova, and must be free from criminal record, fraud, malpractice, financial fraud or indemnities.

As many as 5000 foreign persons will be given citizenship under the investment scheme in Moldova.

Moldova Passport

The Republic of Moldova actively pursues EU membership and neither participates in Schengen zone.  Moldova, a country of 4 million inhabitants, offers its citizens visa-free access to 121 destinations, including all the countries in Europe’s Schengen Area also, for example, Russia and Turkey. It has entered into an association agreement with the EU and is aiming to become a candidate country for EU membership.

Moldova passport holders need visas to visit Canada, United States and United Kingdom.

Moldova has a population of 3 million (2017) with GDP of $20 billion and the capital and largest city is Chișinău.

Currently there are only 8 countries offering official citizenship by investment programs. Malta and Cyprus have the only official citizenship by investment programs in Europe.

Montenegro also has plans to open new citizenship program known as Special investor program in the future.

Please contact us below, if you are interested in applying for Moldova citizenship program.