Moldovan citizenship by repatriation
For those with Moldovan roots. Get citizenship on the basis of family ties to Moldova, and visa-free trips to the Schengen area.
Moldova is a small but dynamic country in Eastern Europe with rich cultural traditions and comfortable living conditions. The repatriation program lets anyone who can prove Moldovan origin or ties to the country obtain Moldovan citizenship.
Legal grounds
Moldova recognises citizenship for people with Moldovan roots under its citizenship law. The procedure is called recognition of citizenship and runs through the Public Services Agency.
Who can apply
- People born on Moldovan territory.
- People born abroad with at least one parent, grandparent or great-grandparent born on Moldovan territory.
- People born or living before 28 June 1940 in Bessarabia, Northern Bukovina, the Hertsa region or the Moldavian Autonomous Republic, and their descendants.
- People deported or who fled from Moldovan territory after 28 June 1940, and their descendants.
The ground and document list depend on your family history. On a free consultation we check whether the programme fits you.
The key condition: language and Constitution
Recognition is available from age 18 and only to those who speak Romanian and know Moldova's Constitution. The application includes a language exam certificate and proof of knowledge of the Constitution. People with severe disabilities and those born or permanently resident in Moldova who would otherwise be stateless are exempt. For most applicants from Russia and other countries the exam is the longest part of preparation.
We will work out online when you can apply and what fees and documents will cost for your family.
What it costs, item by item
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| State fee for citizenship | $380 (6,650 lei) |
| Romanian and Constitution exam | exam centre tariff |
| Archive certificates | from $20 per request |
| Apostille and Romanian translation | from $30 per document |
| Police clearance | free to $50 |
| Our support | fixed price after a free consultation |
The fee is set by a 2023 law, with reductions for some categories. Dollars at the market rate of 17 October 2026, 17.97 lei per dollar, rounded up.
Compare with all programs: second passport cost in 2026
Documents and where to get them
- Passport or residence permit.
- Birth and marriage certificates for the whole line from you to the Moldova-born ancestor.
- Ancestor's documents: passport copy if alive, or death certificate.
- Archive certificate of residence before 1940 from regional archives or local authorities, if the ground relates to that date.
- Police clearances from countries of citizenship and residence.
- Exam certificate in Romanian and proof of knowledge of the Constitution.
- Autobiography and two 4.5 x 3.5 cm photos.
Documents in Russian are translated into Romanian and certified.
Steps and timeline
- Family tree check, 1-2 weeks. We find which ancestor carries the ground.
- Archives, 1-4 months. Requests to registry offices and archives in Moldova, Russia and Ukraine.
- Language and Constitution, 2-6 months. Preparation and exam.
- Filing. At a Public Services Agency office or a Moldovan consulate.
- Processing up to 12 months, extendable by 6 months for checks.
- Decision and passport. After recognition, the ID card and passport are issued.
How to get approved the first time
- a break in the document chain between you and the ancestor;
- different spellings of surnames across years;
- no language exam certificate;
- a criminal record;
- the archive certificate does not confirm the ancestor's place of birth or residence.
Surname discrepancies are the most common problem; they are corrected via registry offices or court before filing.
What the Moldovan passport gives
The passport opens 120 of 227 destinations without a prior visa in 2026: 86 visa-free, 27 with a visa on arrival and 7 with an electronic travel authorisation, including the Schengen area for 90 days in any 180. The full list by country is in where you can travel visa-free with a Moldovan passport. It does not yet give the right to live and work in the European Union: Moldova is a candidate country. Dual citizenship is allowed; Russian citizens must notify the Interior Ministry of a second citizenship within 60 days.
Moldova or Romania
Many people whose ancestors lived in Bessarabia before 1940 may also qualify for Romanian citizenship by descent. A Romanian passport gives the right to live and work anywhere in the European Union, but the procedure is longer and also needs Romanian. If you qualify for both, we start where documents are easier and file the other in parallel.
Comparison with other descent programmes
| Country | Ground | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Moldova | ancestor born on Moldovan territory | Romanian exam, fee ~$380 |
| Romania | ancestor a Romanian citizen before 1940 | European Union passport |
| Bulgaria | Bulgarian origin | European Union passport |
| Greece | Greek roots | via consulate, European Union passport |
Family without Moldovan roots
A spouse without their own ground gets a family reunification residence permit and citizenship through naturalisation. Naturalisation is stricter than recognition by descent:
| Who | Legal residence in Moldova |
|---|---|
| Spouse of a Moldovan citizen after 3 years of marriage | 3 years |
| Parent or child of a Moldovan citizen | 3 years |
| Other foreigners | 10 years |
Besides language and the Constitution, naturalisation requires legal income. Recognition by descent has no such requirement.
How to prepare for the exam
The exam checks everyday Romanian: reading, writing and conversation, plus the basics of the Constitution: citizens' rights and the structure of the state. Starting from zero, people usually need 4-6 months of regular study. We advise where exams are held and how to prepare in parallel with collecting documents so no time is lost.
Taxes
Citizenship alone does not make you a Moldovan tax resident: residence depends on days in the country and your centre of vital interests. If you move, Moldovan income tax is a flat 12%. More on the Moldova taxes page.
What we do
We rebuild the family tree, request documents from archives and registry offices, fix surname discrepancies, prepare translations, advise on exam preparation and support filing at the Public Services Agency or a consulate. We fix our fee in writing after a free consultation.
Benefits of Moldovan citizenship
Freedom of travel
120 of 227 destinations without a prior visa in 2026, including the Schengen area.
Travel to the European Union
The Schengen area is open visa-free - up to 90 days in any 180. A Moldovan passport does not yet give the right to live and work in the European Union: the country is a candidate for membership.
Dual citizenship
Moldovan citizenship does not require renouncing your first citizenship.
Roots, not money
The ground is descent, not investment: a fee of about $380 plus documents and the exam.
How to get citizenship: step by step
Preliminary check
A Murblz expert checks your documents for free. If there are potential complications, a Murblz specialist offers a solution or another program.
Collecting documents
You prepare the documents that confirm your origin or your family ties to Moldova.
Filing the application
Applying to a Moldovan consulate or to the migration authorities and submitting the application together with the document package.
Getting a residence permit
Some applicants need an intermediate step - a temporary residence permit.
Getting citizenship
Once the application is approved, you receive a Moldovan passport.
FAQ
Who is exempt from the Romanian and Constitution exam?
Do I need to renounce my first citizenship?
Can I bring my family if they have no Moldovan origin?
How long does it take to get a Moldovan passport?
Do I need to speak Romanian?
What is the fee?
Does a great-grandfather born in Moldova count?
Where do I apply?
How many countries are visa-free?
Does a Moldovan passport give the right to live in the EU?
How does a spouse without Moldovan roots get citizenship?
How long does a decision take?
What if the ancestor's surname is spelled differently in documents?
120 destinations without a prior visa with a Moldovan passport
Europe
Americas
Asia
Services
Murblz services in Moldova
A passport or residence permit opens the door, but life behind it is awkward without a bank account and a roof over your head. Murblz specialists help with the account, property and company in the same country. The quote is fixed in writing before work starts.
See also
Related programs and destinations
All programs - Moldova:
Similar destinations:
The same program in other countries:
How to send money to Moldova in 2026 →
We can help with the transfer: ask in the chat.
A Moldovan passport through your parents or grandparents?
We check the documents proving Moldovan origin, help with archive requests and prepare the citizenship application. The catalogue lists every route to a second passport.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
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