Buying a flat in Moldova in 2026: prices, rules, residency
The price per square metre in Chisinau has risen about 1.7 times in three years to $2,000, but deals have halved. Flats are sold to foreigners freely, land and forest are not, and buying gives no residence.
In short
- A flat in Chisinau averages about $2,000 per square metre, up from about $1,200 in 2022.
- Housing deals in Chisinau fell 54%, so selling quickly is harder.
- A foreigner buys flats and houses freely, but not agricultural land or forest.
- A notary certifies the contract; documents from abroad need an apostille and Romanian translation.
- There is no residence for buying: temporary residence is granted for a stake in a Moldovan company.
In detail
A foreigner buys a flat in Moldova with no restrictions, but not agricultural land or forest. The price per square metre in Chisinau has risen about 1.7 times in three years to about $2,000, yet the number of deals has halved. Buying gives no residence. How we select and check properties is explained on the page property in Moldova.
How much a flat in Chisinau costs in 2026
According to Moldova's state investment attraction agency, the average flat price in Chisinau rose from 1,030 euros per square metre in 2022 to 1,720 euros in 2025, about $2,000. The market is cooling, though: in the first nine months of 2025 housing deals in Chisinau fell 54% year on year, and a listing stays up for about four months on average.
| Year | Average flat price per m² in Chisinau |
|---|---|
| 2022 | ~$1,200 |
| 2024 | ~$1,800 |
| 2025 | ~$2,000 |
Example calculation: a 60 m² flat in Chisinau costs about $120,000. The agency estimates housing yields at 5.6-6.5% a year, and offices higher. Life in the capital is covered in the guide to Chisinau.
What a foreigner can buy
- A flat, house or commercial premises - with no restrictions.
- Agricultural land and forest - not allowed: under the Land Code only Moldovan citizens buy them.
- Inherited land must be sold by a foreigner within a year.
How to buy a flat in Moldova: step by step
- Check the property in the real estate register: owner, history, encumbrances and seizures.
- Prepare documents: those issued abroad are apostilled and translated into Romanian.
- Sign the contract before a notary: notarisation of property deals is mandatory.
- Register ownership in the real estate register.
- Pay through a bank with proof of the source of funds.
Taxes and payments for property owners are covered on the page taxes in Moldova.
The market is cooling, so checks matter more than price
In Moldova selling a flat is now harder than buying one: deals have halved. Money is also lost on the legal side: encumbrances and seizures in the register, documents without an apostille and Romanian translation, a house with an agricultural plot that a foreigner cannot register. We check the property in the real estate register, prepare documents and the notarial contract, register ownership and calculate the full budget before the deal.
The cost of support depends on the property and your goal; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
Does a flat give residence in Moldova
No. Moldova closed citizenship by investment in 2020, and temporary residence for investors is granted under Law 200/2010 for a stake in a Moldovan company with foreign investment or jobs created, not for buying a home. After 5 years of temporary residence you can get permanent residence; spouses of Moldovan citizens need 3 years. Without a visa a foreigner can stay up to 90 days in any 180.
People with Moldovan roots can obtain citizenship by descent: details on the page Moldovan citizenship by descent and in how much Moldovan citizenship costs.
- Selling quickly is harder: the number of deals has halved.
- Land: a house with an agricultural plot does not work for a foreigner.
- Documents: without an apostille and Romanian translation the notary will not certify the deal.
FAQ
Can a foreigner buy a flat in Moldova?
How much does a flat in Chisinau cost in 2026?
Does buying a flat give residence in Moldova?
What yield does a flat in Moldova give?
Is a notary needed to buy a flat in Moldova?
Can you buy Moldovan citizenship?
Don’t want to figure this out alone?
We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Ask your question in the chat: the free consultation starts right here. Legal representation before authorities and courts is handled by Murblz specialists together with locally licensed partners.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
Free consultationPrograms