Establish a Branch in Moldova

Company formation in Moldova can be aided by our team of specialists. We provide complete services for the formation of branches.

How can your team of specialists help me in establishing a branch in Moldova?

Our consultants can help investors open a company in Moldova as a branch by providing the following services:

1. consultancy services on the registration procedures and on the business immigration formalities (based on the nationality/residency of the applicant they may vary);
2. assistance in preparing the registration file;
3. our team will get in touch with all the parties involved in the registration process – local authorities, public notary, translators, etc.;
4. we can help you obtain all the certificates, permits, licenses required for the business;
5. assistance in finding a suitable location that will serve as the company’s registered address;
6. we also provide tax consultancy and registration;
7. our team can complete your accounting obligations.

What is a branch?

The branch is a type of business establishment that can be used to engage in the same business operations as the parent company abroad (our team provides legal representation during the registration formalities).

What are the main characteristics of the branch?

The branch is a business form that has a number of important traits, out of which the liability of the parent company is the first one that needs to be taken into consideration. Below, we present the main features of the branch:

• separation – the branch is not a separate legal entity from the parent company, it is merely its extension in Moldova;
• liability – the parent company abroad remains the one that is liable for the debts and obligations of its Moldavian branch;
• business activities – the branch is limited to performing only the same business activities as the foreign company;
• legal representative – when the branch is incorporated, a representative is appointed to oversee the local activities;
• registration – although not a company with legal personality, the branch still needs to be registered with the State Register of Legal Entities;
• reporting – the branch will need to keep its own accounting records for its activities in Moldova.

What is the law for branch registration in Moldova in 2026?

The law which governs the registration of branches in Moldova is the Law no. 220/2007 on the state registration of legal entities and individual entrepreneurs (together with Articles 171-183 of the Civil Code) adopted on 19 October 2007.

What is the documentation necessary for the registration of the branch?

An entrepreneur must present:

1. a dossier containing the standard application;
2. the certificate of registration and an extract from the register where the foreign company is registered;
3. the memorandum of association, the articles of association or any other constitutive document;
4. the minute of the meeting when the decision of opening a branch was taken;
5. the passport copies of the representatives;
6. the criminal record of the representative;
7. proof of payment of the registration fee;
8. the stamp duty.

When can the branch start its activities in Moldova?

The process of registration of the branch with the State Chamber in Moldova takes 24 hours (counted from the next working day) after depositing all the relevant documents. The registration can also be performed in 4 hours if there is a request for this and special fee is paid.

What are the state fees charged for the incorporation of a branch?

In order to initiate the process of company formation in Moldova, investors must also pay state registration fees, which vary based on the company type and the type of registration (standard or expedited). According to the Trade Information Portal of the Republic of Moldova, the following fees can be charged for the registration of a branch:

• registration completed in 24 hours costs MDL 1,149;
• registration completed in 4 hours costs MDL 4,596.

Do Moldavian branches need a minimum share capital?

No, just like in the case of the branch regime applicable anywhere else in the world, the Moldavian law does not impose minimum share capital requirements for this type of entity.

Do I need to appoint a director for the branch?

Yes, this is one of the mandatory requirements concerning the local management of a branch.

Who can be appointed as a branch director?

The eligibility requirements state that the director can be a resident or a non-resident individual. In the latter case, the foreigner must hold adequate immigration documentation.

Do I need to open a bank account in Moldova?

Yes, companies that operate in Moldova must have a local bank account, which can be set up any commercial bank preferred by the applicants. Our consultants can provide the necessary legal support in opening a corporate bank account. We invite you to learn more on this topic here.

What is the tax regime applicable to a branch?

A branch in Moldova is subject to the local taxation regime, as such: while a resident company is taxed on its worldwide income, the branch, as a non-resident, is taxed on its income derived from Moldavian sources (the corporate income tax in the country is 12%).

What conditions should I meet as a foreign investor in Moldova?

Foreign investors who plan to open a company in Moldova as a branch office can obtain temporary residence here provided that they want to live in this country. Concerning this issue, the following laws and rules apply:

• the laws applicable to foreign investors are Law No. 81/2004 on Investments in Entrepreneurial Activity and Law No. 200/2010 on the Regime of Foreigners in the Republic of Moldova;
• temporary residency is granted in accordance with the Art. 31 Paragraph (2) letter g of the Law no. 200/2010, which states that residency in Moldova is directly correlated to the value of the investment made;
• an investor can qualify if he or she holds interest or owns shares in a company located in Moldova that have a value of at least 30 average monthly salaries;
• it is also required to create at least 1 job in the company, which is a full-time job and pays an average monthly salary;
• residency can be granted for a period of minimum 2 years and up to 8, according to the Invest Moldova Agency;
• please mind that foreign investors who want to start the process of company registration in Moldova need to pay an examination fee for their application, which is MDL 3600.

Can you assist me in registering a company elsewhere?

We can also help you if you need to open a company in another country, such as Turkey, where the time frame for incorporation is up to 8 days.

 Contact us for detailed information on how to open a company in Moldova, a branch or a subsidiary. 

Partner: Firmengründung in Moldawien, Регистрация компаний Молдова