Healthcare Reimbursement in Moldova: Who Reimburses What Depending on Your Situation

Moldova is not among the states linked to France by a social security agreement in force: CLEISS classes it among the agreements signed but not yet in force (agreement signed on 10 March 2025 and administrative arrangement on 18 September 2025). Entry into force still requires the procedures to be completed. The branches covered and the forms provided for should be checked in the text of the agreement and with CLEISS when the time comes.

In the meantime, no coordination exists: no European card, no A1 or S1 form, no aggregation of insurance periods. The glossary explains the notions of reimbursement base and out-of-pocket share. How the network works is presented in the page healthcare system in Moldova.

The employee on a local contract contributes to the CNAM compulsory health insurance: 4.5% of their gross salary and 4.5% borne by the employer (CLEISS). They register with a family doctor, benefit from free primary care and from reimbursement of 50% to 100% of medicines on the national list. Sickness and maternity allowances are paid by the CNAS. See the glossary entry on the local contract.

The seconded employee of a French employer can remain affiliated to the French scheme through the secondment provided for by French law, as long as the agreement is not in force. Their care is reimbursed by their fund under French rules, on proof of payment, whatever the prices charged locally; the maximum duration of the retention and the documents to provide should be confirmed with the Urssaf (the French social contributions collector) and CLEISS before departure. Employers often top this up with an international group contract for the gap with the private sector. See the guide seconded or expatriate and the glossary entry on the seconded employee.

The self-employed person pays a flat annual health insurance contribution whose amount is revised each year (CLEISS), and the digital nomad the full premium, with no reduction (CNAM). See digital nomad insurance.

The spouse and children staying for family reunification, who are not employees, pay 2,527 lei before 31 March (80% reduction), otherwise 12,636 lei; children under 18 are among the categories insured by the State in Moldova, but this rule targets Moldovan residents: the status of a foreign child should be confirmed with the CNAM. The student holding a temporary residence permit for studies benefits from the same reduced rate of 2,527 lei before 31 March. Before age 30, the CFE offer reserved for young expatriates is an alternative; see student insurance abroad and expat family insurance.

The French retiree benefits from no transfer of rights as long as the social security agreement is not in force. In a country without an agreement, CLEISS recommends checking what the local system covers, joining the CFE voluntarily or taking out private insurance. For temporary stays in France, a pensioner with at least 15 years of French insurance, receiving a French basic pension and not working keeps their rights; only the pensioner and their minor children are covered, and a hospitalisation of more than one month requires the prior agreement of the CPAM (the French health insurance fund) (CLEISS). See the page retiring in Moldova and the guide health insurance for retirees abroad.

The CFE is a voluntary body whose reimbursements, country scales and waiting periods should be checked on cfe.fr and in the guide CFE reimbursements. International health insurance with first-euro cover reimburses actual costs within its ceilings, after the deductible, waiting periods and exclusions, with direct payment possible; Expavy helps you compare these options against your situation.

The tourist has no access to the compulsory medical insurance. France Diplomatie (the French foreign ministry) considers an assistance contract covering all medical costs, surgery, hospitalisation and medical repatriation essential: without cover, access to care may be limited, even in a life-threatening emergency, and the embassy does not pay these costs. See long-stay travel insurance.

On return to France, the CFE maintains rights for at most 3 months after the return, subject to prior notification. An employee who takes up a contract in France is covered from the start; without a contract, three months of stable residence are required, with form 1106 for the CPAM. See the guide reducing the waiting period and the page return to France.

• Consultation: free primary care for the CNAM insured person registered with their family doctor; French scheme for the seconded employee; actual costs within the ceilings of a first-euro contract.
• Hospitalisation: covered by the CNAM within its basket of care for the insured person; French rules for the seconded employee; direct payment to be checked for an international contract.
• Medicines: reimbursed at 50% to 100% if on the national programme list (CLEISS); take your prescription and the necessary quantity, customs rules being strict.
• Dental and optical: no CNAM rate was found for these items; in practice they fall under supplementary insurance or an international contract, with ceilings to be read in the benefits table.
• Maternity: pregnant women and the two years following childbirth are among the categories insured by the State for Moldovan residents; for a foreign woman, cover depends on status and should be confirmed with the CNAM, and international contracts generally apply a waiting period.

The reimbursement guide and the page expat health insurance give benchmarks for comparing contracts.