Currently, obtaining citizenship is an important issue for Ukrainians, as the ongoing war in Ukraine leaves many citizens in great danger. That is why it is crucial to understand the nuances of obtaining a passport, for example, a Moldovan one.
How to Obtain Moldovan Citizenship: Main Grounds and Requirements for Applicants
A passport of the citizen of the Republic of Moldova is a document that certifies the identity of the citizen abroad and allows them to enjoy rights associated with citizenship. At the same time, the passport itself is not a basis for acquiring citizenship: first, a person must have Moldovan citizenship status, and only after that can they obtain a document for traveling abroad.
In 2026, citizenship issues are regulated by a new version of the legislation, specifically the Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Moldova No.253/2025, which came into force at the end of 2025. Therefore, older instructions that listed previous rules regarding descent, naturalization, or package of documents may already not comply with the current procedure.
Moldovan citizenship may arise by birth, be confirmed through the procedure of establishing citizenship, acquired by recognition, naturalization, restoration, or other cases provided by law. Each ground has its own order and set of evidence.
A passport allows a Moldovan citizen to freely use the documents of their state, travel abroad, return to Moldova without obtaining entry permits, live, and work in the country. Furthermore, Moldovan citizenship is significant for access to government services, education, participation in civil life, and other rights provided by law.
Obtaining a passport begins not with the submission of a passport application, but with determining the basis for citizenship. If a person is already a citizen of Moldova, they need to issue a document certifying their citizenship. If they do not have citizenship, the appropriate procedure for acquiring it must first be followed.
Current legislation provides several main pathways. Citizenship can be acquired by birth, recognition, naturalization, restoration, and in certain cases—on the basis of a decision by the head of state. The procedure for an adult depends on whether there is Moldovan descent, prior citizenship, family ties with a Moldovan citizen, or a sufficient length of legal residence.
Citizenship by birth may arise when at least one or both parents had Moldovan citizenship at the time of the child’s birth. In such situations, the issue of the child’s passport is resolved through registration and documentary confirmation of citizenship.
A separate procedure is provided for recognizing citizenship for adults who do not have a document confirming Moldovan citizenship but have a legal connection to the country. In particular, this may concern a person born in Moldova, a person born abroad to a father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, or great-grandparent born in Moldova, as well as certain categories of persons connected to historical events and territories.
For some applicants, it is important not to confuse acquiring citizenship with confirming an already existing citizenship status. If a person is considered a citizen by law from birth but has never obtained a Moldovan document, a procedure for establishing citizenship eligibility may be applied instead of naturalization.
In 2026, the applicant must submit documents that allow the state authority to verify identity, family ties, descent, place of birth, prior citizenships, and other circumstances. Documents in a foreign language usually require an official translation into Romanian.
Moldovan Passport by Descent: Who Can Use the Simplified Procedure and Which Documents Are Needed
The concept of 'passport by descent' is primarily linked to the ability to obtain or confirm Moldovan citizenship through familial or historical ties to Moldova. It is not the surname itself that is important, but the documented fact of descent.
According to current rules, citizenship by recognition may be available to an adult who was born outside of Moldova if at least one of their parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents was born in the territory of the Republic of Moldova. For this, a documentary chain of kinship from the applicant to the ancestor must be established.
For example, if the applicant was born in Ukraine and their grandmother was born in a locality that is now part of Moldova, merely having relatives’ testimonies is not sufficient. Documents confirming the grandmother’s birth, as well as documents showing the connection between the grandmother, the applicant's father or mother, and the applicant themselves, are needed.
Proofs may include birth certificates, marriage certificates, name change documents, archival references, extracts from civil status acts, and other official documents. If the documents are old, damaged, or contain different name spellings, additional archival confirmation may be required.
The new version of the law also includes individuals with historical ties to Bessarabia, Northern Bukovina, the Hertsa region, or the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in specified legal cases. Special rules are provided for deported individuals or refugees from the territory of Moldova, as well as their descendants.
For the recognition procedure, documents confirming identity, civil status documents, a biography, and proof of descent must be submitted. In the case of family descent, documents in the ascending line of kinship take on special importance.
It is also necessary to consider the language requirement. For an adult applicant seeking recognition of citizenship, the law requires knowledge of the Romanian language and provisions of the Constitution, unless there is a valid legal basis for exemption from this requirement.
The application for recognition of citizenship can be submitted to the Agency for Public Services. If a person is permanently residing abroad, an appeal can be made through a diplomatic representative or consular office of Moldova.
Obtaining Moldovan Citizenship through Naturalization: Conditions, Residency Periods, and Other Requirements
Naturalization is a separate procedure for foreigners and stateless persons who cannot use a simpler basis through birth, descent, or prior citizenship. In 2026, the requirements for naturalization are defined by the Law on Citizenship No.253/2025.
The basic rule requires that an adult applicant must have permanent legal residence in Moldova, know the Romanian language and provisions of the Constitution, have lawful sources of income, and not fall under legal grounds for refusal.
The general period of continuous legal residence is at least 10 years. The law provides shorter periods for certain categories. For a stateless person, a refugee, or another beneficiary of international protection defined by law, the period is at least 8 years. For a person who has lived in Moldova for the last 5 years before reaching the age of 18, a special ground applies.
A separate rule applies for a foreigner who has been married to a Moldovan citizen for at least three years and has continuous legal residence in the country for the last three years. Another ground concerns persons who have lived at the address of their parents or children who hold Moldovan citizenship for at least three years.
The income requirement is also important. The applicant must confirm lawful means of subsistence. For employed individuals, the rules require confirmation of employment for at least the last three years and a net monthly income not lower than the established minimum wage. For students, pupils, and some other categories, separate means of confirming lawful subsistence are provided.
For naturalization, applicants must pass an exam on the Romanian language and provisions of the Constitution. Relevant documents about passing the exam must be attached to the application. For people with severe or significant violations who, due to health conditions, have limited abilities to learn the language and constitutional provisions, the law provides special rules for confirming circumstances.
The package of documents also includes a passport, document of residence, civil status documents, biography, detailed criminal record certificate, proof of residence period, work and income documents, photographs, consent to process personal data, and proof of payment of established fees.
Consideration of the naturalization application takes up to one year. If it is necessary to verify the authenticity of documents, facts, or rectify deficiencies, the period may be extended, but not exceeding six months.
Moldovan Passport for Ukrainians: In Which Cases Citizens of Ukraine Can Claim Moldovan Citizenship
Ukrainian citizenship does not in itself provide automatic rights to a Moldovan passport. A Ukrainian citizen must determine a specific legal ground. Most often, for people with Moldovan roots, this could be citizenship recognition, while for those who have lived in Moldova for a long time, naturalization is possible provided all requirements are met.
A separate situation arises when a Ukrainian citizen has a Moldovan father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, or other ancestor born in the territory of modern Moldova. In this case, one should first gather documents regarding descent and establish which specific legal provision applies.
For Ukrainians with family roots, old certificates, archival records, and documents regarding name changes may be particularly crucial. Due to differences in Ukrainian and Romanian name spellings in documents, discrepancies sometimes occur. For example, in documents from different years, a surname or name may be recorded in another transliteration. Such discrepancies do not necessarily make the procedure impossible but require documentary explanation.
If a Ukrainian citizen resides in Moldova based on a residence permit, they may consider naturalization after meeting the necessary residency period. For a person married to a Moldovan citizen, the law establishes a separate shortened ground, provided the requirements regarding the length of marriage and residency are met.
Ukrainians residing in Moldova as persons under international protection may also have special rules regarding naturalization. In this case, a shortened residency period provided by law for the relevant category applies.
It is important to distinguish between temporary residence, residence permits, and citizenship. Having a residence permit does not mean an automatic right to a passport. Similarly, long-term residence in Moldova does not replace the requirements for knowledge of the Romanian language, the Constitution, lawful income, and other naturalization conditions.
What Documents Are Needed to Obtain a Moldovan Passport: Identity, Descent, and Other Grounds Confirmation
The package of documents depends on the method of acquiring citizenship. There is no single universal list for all applicants. A person who is already a Moldovan citizen submits documents for a passport, while a foreigner first confirms their right to citizenship.
For the citizenship procedure, the following documents may be required:
- Passport or other identity document;
- Residence permit, if the applicant resides in Moldova;
- Birth certificate;
- Marriage certificate or documents regarding its termination;
- Documents regarding the birth and family status of children;
- Documents of parents, grandparents, great-grandparents or great-grandparents if citizenship is acquired through descent;
- Archival references and extracts from civil status acts;
- Certificates of no criminal record when provided by procedure;
- Proof of lawful and continuous residence;
- Employment and income documents for naturalization;
- Document of knowledge of the Romanian language and the Constitution;
- Photographs;
- Proof of payment of state fees.
For documents issued outside of Moldova, it is important to check the requirements for legalization or apostille. The specific procedures depend on the issuing state of the document and international agreements. Documents in a foreign language must be submitted with an official translation into Romanian.
Special attention should be paid to documents that confirm the family chain. If the applicant refers to descent from a Moldovan ancestor, it is not enough to provide just the ancestor’s birth certificate. The connection between all generations must be proven.
For example, if the basis is the Moldovan descent of the grandmother, the package may include her birth certificate, the document of birth of the applicant's mother or father indicating the grandmother, and the applicant's birth certificate. If the surname has changed through marriage, documents explaining the change are also added.
During naturalization, the requirements are broader. The biography should include information on citizenship, residence, education, family status, employment, and other legally foreseen circumstances. There are also background checks on criminal records and specific circumstances that may serve as grounds for refusal.
How to Apply for a Citizen’s Passport of Moldova: Application Submission Steps, Timelines, and Document Receipt
After acquiring or confirming Moldovan citizenship, one can apply for a passport. The application for a passport is accepted by the Agency for Public Services, and for citizens residing outside Moldova, appeals can be made to diplomatic representations and consular offices in cases provided by the procedure.
During the passport issuance, the applicant's identity is established, data from state registries is checked, a photograph is taken, and, if necessary, other identification procedures are carried out. For biometric documents, appropriate biometric data is used.
In September 2026, the Agency for Public Services announced the introduction of a new design of the Moldovan passport with enhanced physical and cybernetic protection elements. The change in the model is related, among other things, to the update of protection technologies against forgery.
According to current ASP rates, the standard processing time for a passport is up to 20 working days. The cost of standard issuance of a new passport due to the introduction of the new model is 790 Moldovan lei. There are also expedited options for a higher fee.
In particular, ASP provides for issuance in 10 working days, 5 working days, 1 working day, or on the day of the request. A separate rate is established for each timeframe. When ordering a service, it is advisable to check the current amount specifically at the time of submitting the application, as rates may change.
For a child, the passport is issued considering age rules and the participation of a legal representative. If the child is not yet of the necessary age for independent actions, the application is submitted by the father, mother, guardian, or other legal representative.
The ready document can be received at the established place of issuance or through the relevant diplomatic institution if the issuance was done abroad. When receiving, it is necessary to check the correctness of the spelling of the name, surname, date of birth, and other personal data.
Dual Citizenship in Moldova: Is It Allowed and What Features Should Be Considered
Moldova allows multiple citizenship. Therefore, holding a passport from another state does not automatically mean losing Moldovan citizenship. This is particularly significant for people acquiring Moldovan citizenship who already have citizenship from another country.
For a Ukrainian citizen, the issue of dual citizenship should be considered in light of the legislation of both states. Moldovan law permits multiple citizenship, but acquiring Moldovan citizenship does not automatically cancel Ukrainian citizenship and does not determine consequences under Ukrainian law.
In the citizenship documents, the applicant must indicate information about any citizenship they already hold. In certain procedures, the Agency for Public Services directly requires the submission of documents confirming other citizenships.
It is important to distinguish between citizenship and the holding of multiple passports from one state. Moldovan legislation allows a citizen to simultaneously hold two valid regular passports if personal data in them matches. This does not constitute dual citizenship, but merely the ability to hold two documents of the same type.
Having Moldovan citizenship does not mean that all matters abroad can only be resolved with a Moldovan passport. When crossing borders, applying for documents, or interacting with authorities, situations may arise where the specific state’s citizenship and the rules of its legislation may hold significance.
If a person plans to acquire Moldovan citizenship while holding a passport from Ukraine or another country, it is worth checking the consequences specifically for their situation. This is especially important in cases of changes in citizenship status, military registration, tax issues, children’s documents, and permanent residence outside of Moldova.
What Does a Moldovan Passport Provide: Opportunities for Travel, Residence, Work, and Education
A Moldovan passport certifies the right of a Moldovan citizen to utilize the consular protection of their state and return to Moldova. It is also the primary document for the international travel of a citizen, although the rules for entering a specific country are defined by the legislation of that state and international agreements.
One of the practical advantages is the ability to travel without prior visa requirements to several countries if a visa-free regime is in effect between Moldova and the respective country. However, visa-free travel does not imply unlimited rights to reside or work. Each country has its own rules regarding the duration of stay, employment, and education.
Moldova is a candidate country for EU membership, but a Moldovan passport in itself is not an EU citizen passport. Therefore, Moldovan citizenship does not create an automatic right to work freely in any EU member state under the same conditions as citizens of EU countries.
At the same time, a Moldovan passport grants the right to live and work in Moldova itself without a residence permit. A citizen can benefit from the state education system, establish a business, enter into employment contracts, own property, and enjoy other rights in accordance with the law.
For studying abroad, a Moldovan passport is used as a travel document, and specific admission conditions are determined by the rules of the university and country. For working abroad, work permits, residence permits, or other status may also be required.
The document is also significant for children. Having Moldovan citizenship from a father or mother can influence the eligibility for the child's citizenship, but the specific procedure depends on the date of birth, the citizenship of the parents, and other circumstances.
Thus, the passport is the final step in the documentation process for citizenship status. Before submitting an application, it is important to first establish the correct legal basis for citizenship: birth, descent, recognition, naturalization, restoration, or another procedure provided by law. It is this basis that will determine the documents, processing times, language requirements, and further passport issuance procedures.
Overall, this is a great option for many Ukrainians. Therefore, it is worth learning more about the relevance of this offer.