Retiring in Moldova: Right of Residence, Taxation of the Pension and Access to Care

A French national may stay 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa. For a longer stay, the foreigner applies to the General Inspectorate for Migration (IGM) for a temporary right of residence. The grounds provided include family reunification, work, studies, carrying out projects, humanitarian or religious activities, long-term treatment, investment and “other cases”. The sources consulted mention no category reserved for retirees: whether an application can be attached to one of the existing categories, notably family reunification for a Moldovan spouse, should be confirmed directly with the IGM or the Moldovan embassy in Paris, which France Diplomatie (the French foreign ministry) recommends contacting for long stays.

The application is filed in person at the IGM one-stop shop, at least 30 days before the end of the legal stay, with the passport, proof of housing and a translated and apostilled criminal record; examination takes 30 days. Permanent residence can be requested after three years of temporary stay for certain categories (spouse of a Moldovan citizen), five years for others. Knowledge of Romanian is in principle required, with an exception for recipients of an old-age pension (IGM). A bill on the regime for foreigners, under examination by the Government, may change these rules.

A pensioner who settles in a country without a social security agreement with France continues to receive their pension. If they are no longer tax-resident in France, they pay neither CSG, nor CRDS, nor Casa. A health insurance contribution may, however, be levied on their pension if they remain attached to a French scheme, for example on the basis of stays in France, at the usual rates of 3.2% on the basic pension, 4.2% on the supplementary pension and 7.1% on a self-employed scheme pension (CLEISS).

For temporary stays in France, a pensioner with at least 15 years of French insurance, receiving a French basic pension and not working keeps cover for their care; 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). For a general-scheme retiree living outside the European Union, the CNAREFE manages registration and reimbursements; a member of the CFE (Caisse des Français de l’étranger, the voluntary social protection body for French expatriates) sends their requests for care in France to the Seine-et-Marne CPAM. See the guide retirement abroad.

The agreement signed in Chișinău on 15 June 2022, authorised by law no. 2024-246 of 21 March 2024 and published by decree no. 2024-481 of 27 May 2024, has been in force since 23 April 2024. Its article 17 provides that pensions paid to a resident of one state in respect of a previous job, including those of social security, are taxable only in the state of residence: a retiree who is tax-resident in Moldova therefore in principle pays no French tax on these pensions. Public pensions (article 18) are taxable in the state that pays them, unless the beneficiary is a resident and national of the other state only (BOFiP).

Tax residence is assessed under the domestic law of each state; France remains competent for taxpayers with their tax home on its territory. Income that falls to Moldova is taken into account in France to determine the rate applicable to other income, and Moldova grants a deduction equal to the tax paid in France within the limit of the corresponding Moldovan tax. Each case should be confirmed with the tax administration, and a change of residence is declared before departure.

The S1 form, valid in Europe, does not apply: the social security agreement of 10 March 2025 is not applied until its ratification is completed. In a country without an agreement, CLEISS recommends checking the cover of the local system, joining the CFE voluntarily or taking out private insurance. A residence permit holder who is not an employee and is not covered by the State pays the annual premium of the compulsory medical insurance, the amount of which is revised each year; the 80% reduction (before 31 March) targets specific grounds of stay (family, studies, humanitarian or religious activities). The rate applicable to a retiree should be confirmed with the CNAM (CNAM, IGM).

France Diplomatie recalls that an assistance contract covering all medical costs and repatriation is essential. Reimbursement details are in the page healthcare reimbursement in Moldova and in the guide health insurance for retirees abroad.

The statutory retirement age is 63 for men and, for women, raised by six months each year up to 63 in 2028, with at least 15 years of contributions; the full duration is 34 years. Early retirement exists for arduous work (at least five years, at most ten years before the statutory age) and for long careers (39 years of contributions for men, 37 years for women). The pension is calculated using the formula 1.35% × contribution period × average monthly income; a guaranteed minimum applies, higher for 40 years of contributions, and pensions are revalued every six months (CLEISS).

A social security agreement in force would make it possible to organise the coordination of pensions between the two countries; its exact scope should be checked in the text of the agreement and with CLEISS.

The spouse and dependent children follow their own residence situation: a temporary residence permit for family reunification opens the right to the reduced rate of 2,527 lei for the compulsory medical insurance for a non-employee who pays before 31 March, otherwise the premium is 12,636 lei. During a temporary stay in France, only the pensioner and their minor children are covered on the basis of the pension; an accompanying spouse must arrange insurance (CLEISS).

The procedures follow in this order: proof of residence (IGM), taking out health insurance, declaration of the change of tax home, registration on the consular register. Each step has its deadlines: the residence application is to be filed at least 30 days before the end of the legal stay, the premium to be paid before 31 March for the reduced rate where it applies.

The “Economic indicators” block above displays the indicators in real time. The minimum wage is of the order of 6,300 lei a month and the average monthly wage of the order of 17,400 lei: these benchmarks help gauge the local standard of living, in lei, the currency in which contributions and premiums are expressed. Rents are not reproduced here for lack of an official publication read.

France Diplomatie describes low crime, with thefts in Chișinău and in busy places, frequent road accidents and a seismic zone. Transnistria is advised against except for compelling reasons, and the French embassy cannot provide assistance there. See the page living in Moldova and the page healthcare system in Moldova.

• Inform your pension fund, the CPAM and the tax administration of the change of residence.
• Contact the Moldovan embassy in Paris and the IGM for the suitable category of right of residence and the list of documents.
• Choose your health cover: CNAM premium, CFE or private insurance with medical repatriation.
• Have your tax situation examined with regard to the 2022 agreement.
• Register on the register of French nationals established outside France with the embassy in Chișinău.

See also retiree insurance abroad.