Published · March 11, 2026
How to Register an SRL (LLC) in Moldova in 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide
For foreign investors and members of the Moldovan diaspora, registering a company in Moldova is often faster and simpler than expected. The limited liability company, known locally as the SRL (societate cu răspundere limitată), is the most common vehicle, and under standard procedure it is entered into the State Register at the Public Services Agency (ASP) in roughly one business day. This guide walks through the process under Law no. 220/2007 on the state registration of legal entities and individual entrepreneurs: the documents, the share capital, realistic timelines, orientative costs, and what changes when a founder is a non-resident or a foreign company.
What an SRL is and why Law no. 220/2007 matters
The SRL is Moldova's equivalent of a limited liability company (LLC). Its main appeal is the separation between business and personal assets: as a rule, a member is liable for the company's obligations only up to the value of their contribution to the share capital. This distinguishes it from the individual entrepreneur, who is personally liable with their entire estate.
State registration of an SRL is governed by Law no. 220/2007 on the state registration of legal entities and individual entrepreneurs, and is carried out by the Public Services Agency (Agenția Servicii Publice, ASP), which maintains the State Register of Legal Entities. The ASP assigns the company a unique identification number (IDNO), which also serves as its fiscal code.
An SRL may be set up by a single member or by several members, who can be individuals or companies, resident or foreign. Before filing, it is worth settling a few core decisions: the company name, registered office, scope of activity, the amount and structure of share capital, and who will act as administrator (director).
Step 1: name, registered office and key decisions
The first practical step is choosing and checking the company name, which must be unique in the State Register and can be approved or reserved through the ASP. At the same time, you fix the registered office (a real address that appears in the constitutive documents) and the fields of activity.
It is sensible to settle from the outset the points that shape the constitutive documents.
- The members and each member's stake in the share capital.
- The administrator (director): this must be an adult individual with full legal capacity, who may be a member or an outside person.
- The amount of share capital: Moldovan law allows a symbolic minimum (from 1 leu), but the figure you choose should match real needs and how the company will be perceived by banks and partners.
- Decision-making rules and the conditions for transferring participation shares.
Step 2: the documents you need
The file submitted to the ASP to incorporate an SRL typically includes the items listed below.
Where a founder is a foreign company, you also submit an extract from the commercial register of its home country and its constitutive documents, legalised by apostille (Hague Convention, 1961) or by consular legalisation, and translated into the state language. Any document drawn up in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified translation.
- The identity document of the founder or of a representative empowered by a notarised power of attorney, and of the administrator.
- The registration application, in the form approved by the registration authority.
- The founding decision and the constitutive documents (the statute/charter), in two copies.
- The beneficial owner declaration, under the anti-money-laundering legislation (Law no. 308/2017).
- Proof of payment of the registration fee.
Step 3: filing and timelines at the ASP
The application and supporting documents can be filed at ASP counters or, in many cases, online through the e-services platforms. After reviewing the file, the ASP issues the registration decision, enters the company in the State Register, and releases its identification data, including the IDNO.
Orientative timelines, which may change, are set out below.
Basic tax registration generally happens automatically together with state registration, through the IDNO. VAT registration becomes mandatory only once the legal turnover threshold is reached; this threshold was raised in stages in 2026 (standing at 1.7 million lei over 12 consecutive months from 1 March 2026), but it is orientative and may change, so it is worth confirming the current figure when you incorporate.
- Standard registration: around 24 working hours, counted from the working day after filing.
- Urgent registration: a shorter turnaround (a matter of hours) for a higher fee.
- In practice, preparing documents, checking the name and related formalities can extend the whole process to a few business days.
Share capital, the bank account and post-registration steps
Unlike some jurisdictions, Moldova's minimum share capital for an SRL is very flexible. What matters most is observing the rules on paying in the contributions.
After registration, the usual steps are: opening a bank account with a Moldovan bank, producing a company seal if needed, setting up accounting, obtaining any licences or permits required for regulated activities, and registering as an employer if you intend to hire staff.
- At registration, each member generally pays in at least 40% of the subscribed contribution in cash.
- The subscribed contribution must be paid in full within six months of the company's registration date.
- Contributions in kind (assets) are valued and transferred within the statutory deadlines; for a sole member, an in-kind contribution is typically made within 30 days of registration.
Orientative costs in 2026
The figures below are orientative, valid at the time of writing, and may change through new legislation or revised ASP tariffs. Confirm the current rates before paying.
On top of these come recurring accounting and tax-compliance costs, as applicable. A precise estimate depends on the ownership structure, the tax regime chosen and the nature of the activity.
- Standard registration fee: around 1,149 lei.
- Urgent registration: a higher tariff (in the order of 4,596 lei).
- Name drafting/approval: approximately 100 lei.
- Extract from the State Register (on request): approximately 440 lei.
- Possible additional costs: notary, certified translations, apostille, legal assistance and opening a bank account.
Foreign and non-resident founders: what to know
Both Moldovan citizens and foreign nationals or foreign companies may set up an SRL in Moldova. For non-resident founders, physical presence in the country is generally not required: the procedure can be completed through a representative acting under a notarised power of attorney. This is especially convenient for members of the diaspora (in Italy, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and elsewhere) and for foreign investors.
This article is general information and does not constitute individualised legal advice. Rules, deadlines and tariffs can change, and every situation has its own particulars. To structure the constitutive documents, share capital and the relationship between members correctly, you are welcome to request a tailored consultation with the Law Office of Attorney Bîrcă Ludmila, including remotely (WhatsApp, Viber, Zoom) and with documents handled by power of attorney, in Romanian, Russian and English.
- Identity documents and, where relevant, the documents of a foreign parent company must be apostilled or consularly legalised and officially translated.
- The power of attorney appointing a representative in Moldova must be drawn up and notarised properly in your country of residence.
- Immigration matters (residence rights, work permits) are separate from company registration and may fall under Law no. 200/2010 on the regime of foreigners, if you intend to live or actually work in Moldova.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moldovan law allows a very low minimum share capital (from 1 leu), so the requirement is flexible. You must, however, observe the payment rules: generally at least 40% at registration and the full amount within six months. The figure you choose should reflect your real business needs and how banks and partners will view the company.
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