How to Get Moldova CitizenshipKey facts
- Residence for naturalisation
- 10 years
- Language
- Test or certificate
- Dual citizenship
- Accepted
- Civic test
- Required, with a test or certificate
- Criminal record
- A criminal record or good character condition applies
- Income condition
- Income or economic resources must be shown
- Dual citizenship in detail
- Accepted in both directionsNew citizens do not have to give up their previous citizenship.Citizens who naturalise abroad keep their citizenship.
- Available routes
- Region
- Europe
- Law in force as of
- 1 January 2024GLOBALCIT baseline, plus 1 later in-force change applied where the data records a new value.
- Last checked
- Not yet checked by our team
What changed since 2024
- In force
Citizenship Law 253/2025 replaced the earlier law. Naturalisation needs 10 years of continuous lawful residence (8 for stateless persons and people with international protection or asylum), or 3 years of marriage to a citizen plus 3 years of residence. Applicants must prove Romanian and knowledge of the Constitution with an exam certificate and must apply in person.
The rule text in the sections below was coded for the law on 1 January 2024. 1 later in-force change in the timeline above takes precedence where it differs.
Naturalisation (residence)
Residence in Moldova is the basis of this route, together with the other conditions below. Even if the legal conditions are satisfied, authorities may still decide to refuse.
In force, 24 December 2025: Citizenship Law 253/2025 replaced the earlier law. Naturalisation needs 10 years of continuous lawful residence (8 for stateless persons and people with international protection or asylum), or 3 years of marriage to a citizen plus 3 years of residence. Applicants must prove Romanian and knowledge of the Constitution with an exam certificate and must apply in person.
- Residence
- 10 years
Person has been resident in Moldova for 10 years.
- Previous citizenship
- New citizens do not have to give up their previous citizenship
- Language
- Required, with a test or certificateChanged on 24 December 2025. Previously: Required, no test or certificate specified.
Rule text coded for 1 January 2024 (superseded on this point)
Person has knowledge of the official language.
- Civic knowledge
- Required, with a test or certificate
Person has knowledge of the provisions of the Constitution of Moldova (citizenship test).
- Criminal record
- A criminal record or good character condition applies
Grant of citizenship can be refused if person has committed international or military crimes or crimes against humanity, was involved in terrorist activity, has been sentenced to imprisonment and has a criminal record or is under criminal investigation, or carries out activities that threaten state security, public order, health or morality.
- Income or economic resources
- Income or economic resources must be shown
Person has legal sources of income.
Marriage or civil partnership
Marriage to a citizen of Moldova is the basis of this route, together with the conditions below. Even if the legal conditions are satisfied, authorities may still decide to refuse.
In force, 24 December 2025: Citizenship Law 253/2025 replaced the earlier law. Naturalisation needs 10 years of continuous lawful residence (8 for stateless persons and people with international protection or asylum), or 3 years of marriage to a citizen plus 3 years of residence. Applicants must prove Romanian and knowledge of the Constitution with an exam certificate and must apply in person.
Person has been the spouse of a citizen for 3 years. Other conditions: see the rules for ordinary naturalisation.
Descent (citizen parent)
For a person with a parent who is a citizen of Moldova, the rules below set out how this route works. Citizenship arises directly under the law of Moldova, without any authority making a decision.
Descent (born in country)
Person is born in Moldova to a citizen.
Descent (born abroad)
Person is born abroad to a citizen.
Birth in the country
This route concerns people born in Moldova, and only in the situations described below. Even if the legal conditions are satisfied, authorities may still decide to refuse.
Birth in country
Person is born in Moldova to foreign parents or to one foreign parent and the other parent is stateless or a beneficiary of international protection.
Birth in country (acquisition after birth)
Person is 18 years or older, was born in Moldova, and is not yet registered by the authorities as a citizen of Moldova and does not hold proof of citizenship.
Child of a new citizen
This route covers children of a person who becomes a citizen of Moldova, subject to the conditions below.
Transfer to a child
Person has been resident in Moldova for 3 years with a parent who is a citizen. Other conditions: see the rules for ordinary naturalisation.
Child coacquisition
Person is under the age of 18 and is born to a parent who is acquiring citizenship by reacquisition or naturalisation.
Adoption
For people adopted by citizens of Moldova, the rules below set out what applies. Citizenship arises directly under the law of Moldova, without any authority making a decision.
Person is a minor who is adopted by a citizen. If one adopting parent is not a citizen, a joint decision is required on the child's citizenship. Child's consent is required if he/she is 14 years or older.
Other family members of citizens
This route covers certain family members not covered by the marriage or descent routes in Moldova. Even if the legal conditions are satisfied, authorities may still decide to refuse.
Transfer to other relatives
Person has been resident in Moldova for 3 years with a child who is a citizen. Other conditions: see the rules for ordinary naturalisation.
Spousal coacquisition
Person is the spouse of a person who acquired citizenship on the basis of the rules for special achievements and contributes to Public Investment Fund for Sustainable Development.
Former citizens (reacquisition)
This route covers people who previously held citizenship of Moldova, subject to the conditions below. Even if the legal conditions are satisfied, authorities may still decide to refuse.
Person may reacquire citizenship provided he/she does not fulfil one of the criteria for refusal of citizenship (see the rules for ordinary naturalisation) or citizenship has previously been withdrawn.
Residence during childhood
Residence in Moldova as a child is the basis of this route. Even if the legal conditions are satisfied, authorities may still decide to refuse.
Person has resided in Moldova for 5 years before the age of 18. Other conditions: knowledge of the official language and the provisions of the Constitution of Moldova (citizenship test), legal sources of income. Grant of citizenship can be refused for conditions as per AO6.
Refugees
This route covers people recognised as refugees in Moldova, subject to the conditions below. Even if the legal conditions are satisfied, authorities may still decide to refuse.
Person is a beneficiary of humanitarian protection or political asylum and has been resident in Moldova for 8 years. Loss or renunciation of citizenship of another country is required except in cases where this is not possible or cannot be reasonably requested. Other conditions: see the rules for ordinary naturalisation.
Stateless persons
Statelessness, or the risk of it, is the basis of this route in Moldova.
Foundlings
Person is found in Moldova of unknown parentage.
Otherwise stateless (born in country)
Person is born in Moldova and meets the legal conditions to be recognized as stateless.
Stateless persons
Person is a recognised stateless person and has been resident in Moldova for 8 years. Other conditions: see the rules for ordinary naturalisation
Special achievements
For people whose achievements or contributions are recognised by Moldova, the rules below set out what applies. Even if the legal conditions are satisfied, authorities may still decide to refuse.
Person is an exceptional case whose acquisition of citizenship is in the interests of Moldova, provided he/she does not fulfil one of the criteria for refusal of citizenship (see the rules for ordinary naturalisation).
Not available in Moldova: Citizens of specific countries, Ethnic or cultural affinity, Very long residence, Public or military service, Investment. Coded by GLOBALCIT for 1 January 2024 and updated with in-force changes.
Dual citizenship
Both groups can hold a second citizenship under the law of Moldova: new citizens, and citizens who naturalise abroad.
- New citizens
- New citizens do not have to give up their previous citizenship
- Citizens who naturalise abroad
- Citizens who naturalise abroad keep their citizenship
Compare with neighbours
Across Eastern Europe, the most common requirement is 5 years, while Moldova asks for 10 years.
See how Moldova compares with every country in the residence ranking
| Country | Residence | Language | Dual citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
 Belarus | 5 years | Required, no test | Citizens abroad only |
 Bulgaria | 5 years | Required, no test | Citizens abroad only |
 Czechia | 5 years | Required, no test | Accepted |
 Hungary | 8 years | Assimilation only | Accepted |
 Romania | 8 years | Required, no test | Accepted |
 Slovakia | 8 years | Required, no test | Accepted |
Official sources
This page was located by search and has not yet been checked by our team.
Naturalisation provisions: Nationality law: Art. 17(1)(a).
Cite this page
TravelDecl. (n.d.). How to Get Moldova Citizenship. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://traveldecl.com/citizenship/moldova/
<a href="https://traveldecl.com/citizenship/moldova/">How to Get Moldova Citizenship</a> (TravelDecl, retrieved 5 November 2026)
Sources and licence
Vink, van der Baaren, Bauböck, Džankić, Honohan, Manby (2025). GLOBALCIT Citizenship Law Dataset v3.1. Global Citizenship Observatory, https://hdl.handle.net/1814/73190. CC BY 4.0. Modified by TravelDecl.
Modified by TravelDecl: updated with changes after 1 January 2024.
GLOBALCIT codes the law as written. Fees, processing times, quotas and how officials apply the rules in practice are not in this dataset: check them with the official authority.
FAQ
How many years to become a Moldovan citizen?
The law of Moldova sets 10 years of residence for ordinary naturalisation. Other legal conditions also apply.
Does Moldova allow dual citizenship?
Yes, in both directions: new citizens and citizens who naturalise abroad can hold another citizenship.
Do I need a language test for Moldovan citizenship?
Yes, Moldovan citizenship requires a language test or certificate.
Is there a civic knowledge test for Moldovan citizenship?
Civic knowledge is required for Moldovan citizenship, assessed through a test or certificate.
Do I have to give up my current citizenship to get Moldovan citizenship?
No, you do not have to give up your current citizenship to get Moldovan citizenship. The law of your current country may have its own rules on this.
Can I get Moldova citizenship by marriage?
Yes, Moldova provides a marriage route. Procedure: discretionary.
Can I get Moldova citizenship by descent?
Yes, the law of Moldova provides citizenship by descent from a citizen parent. Procedure: automatic.
Can I get Moldova citizenship by investment?
The data shows no investment route for Moldova.
Related pages
Also see: Moldova passport, visa-free access and entry rules. Latest law changes.
Corrections to this page are handled by Sarah Kim, Fact-Checker.