Can a Foreign Citizen Buy Real Estate in the Republic of Moldova?
By Vladislav Mocanu
CEO, Managing Partner
24.06.2026
Foreign investors are showing increasing interest in the Moldovan real estate market. Apartments, commercial premises, business buildings and rental properties may be attractive both to individuals and to companies.
As a general rule, a foreign citizen may acquire rights over many categories of real estate in Moldova. However, this rule should not be stated in absolute terms. The legal status of the land must be checked separately, because agricultural land and forest fund land are subject to specific restrictions.
As a general rule, a foreign citizen may acquire rights over many categories of real estate in Moldova. However, this rule should not be stated in absolute terms. The legal status of the land must be checked separately, because agricultural land and forest fund land are subject to specific restrictions.
What foreign citizens may usually buy
In practice, foreign citizens may purchase apartments, commercial premises, buildings, shares in real estate and other constructions, subject to notarial, cadastral, tax and client-identification procedures. Transactions may be carried out personally or through a representative, provided that the documents are valid and, where required, apostilled or legalised.
Special attention to land
The main limitation concerns agricultural land and forest fund land. Moldovan law provides restrictions for foreign citizens, stateless persons and, in certain cases, legal entities with foreign investment. Before any transaction, it is therefore essential to check the land category, cadastral status and acquisition structure.
Where a house or real estate project includes land, the analysis must go beyond the building itself. The buyer must understand exactly what right is acquired over the land, whether the plot is inside or outside the built-up area, whether it is agricultural or has another designation, and whether any restrictions apply to its acquisition or use.
Foreign documents and representation
International transactions often raise issues related to passports, powers of attorney, corporate documents, foreign register extracts, beneficial ownership and source of funds. A power of attorney valid abroad is not automatically sufficient in Moldova if the applicable requirements on form, translation and legalisation are not met.
Individual purchase or local company?
In some projects, the investment may be more efficiently structured through a local company. This may facilitate property management, project development, relations with partners, financing or a future exit. Still, the structure must be assessed individually, including tax, banking, beneficial ownership and land-restriction considerations.
In practice, foreign citizens may purchase apartments, commercial premises, buildings, shares in real estate and other constructions, subject to notarial, cadastral, tax and client-identification procedures. Transactions may be carried out personally or through a representative, provided that the documents are valid and, where required, apostilled or legalised.
Special attention to land
The main limitation concerns agricultural land and forest fund land. Moldovan law provides restrictions for foreign citizens, stateless persons and, in certain cases, legal entities with foreign investment. Before any transaction, it is therefore essential to check the land category, cadastral status and acquisition structure.
Where a house or real estate project includes land, the analysis must go beyond the building itself. The buyer must understand exactly what right is acquired over the land, whether the plot is inside or outside the built-up area, whether it is agricultural or has another designation, and whether any restrictions apply to its acquisition or use.
Foreign documents and representation
International transactions often raise issues related to passports, powers of attorney, corporate documents, foreign register extracts, beneficial ownership and source of funds. A power of attorney valid abroad is not automatically sufficient in Moldova if the applicable requirements on form, translation and legalisation are not met.
Individual purchase or local company?
In some projects, the investment may be more efficiently structured through a local company. This may facilitate property management, project development, relations with partners, financing or a future exit. Still, the structure must be assessed individually, including tax, banking, beneficial ownership and land-restriction considerations.
Conclusion
Real estate investment by a foreign person in Moldova is possible, but it should not be treated as a mere formality. The difference between a safe transaction and a problematic one often lies in the legal analysis carried out before signing.
Mocanu Legal assists foreign and local investors with property checks, acquisition structuring and the preparation of documents for safe transactions in the Republic of Moldova.
Real estate investment by a foreign person in Moldova is possible, but it should not be treated as a mere formality. The difference between a safe transaction and a problematic one often lies in the legal analysis carried out before signing.
Mocanu Legal assists foreign and local investors with property checks, acquisition structuring and the preparation of documents for safe transactions in the Republic of Moldova.
