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How to get Moldovan citizenship

A step-by-step guide to getting citizenship of the Republic of Moldova: what routes exist, how naturalization works, and why you need the Romanian language and Constitution exam. We only state facts confirmed by official sources. Check exact timelines, fees, and document lists via the links below — they change.

Since 24 December 2025, the new Citizenship Law of the Republic of Moldova No. 253/2025 has been in force — it replaced the earlier law No. 1024/2000. Everything below is based on the current version; for the official text, go to the primary sources.

Routes to citizenship

There are four ways to get citizenship of the Republic of Moldova. Below is a high-level overview; the grounds and conditions for each route are described on the Agenția Servicii Publice (ASP) website and in the law.

By birth

A child gets citizenship by birth if at least one parent is a Moldovan citizen, and in certain cases for those born on the country's territory. No application is needed — the status arises by law.

By recognition (recunoaștere)

A simplified route for those with family, historical, or territorial ties to Moldova — for example, parents or grandparents born on its territory. Long-term residence in the country isn't required.

By naturalization

The main route for foreigners and stateless people. You need to have lived in Moldova legally for a set period (depends on the grounds — marriage to a citizen, stateless status, and so on), know the Romanian language and the Constitution, and have a lawful source of income. Exact residence periods and conditions are on the ASP service page.

By reacquisition (redobândire)

For those who previously held Moldovan citizenship and lost it. The conditions for reacquisition depend on the grounds for losing it and are described on the ASP website and in the law.

The procedure step by step (naturalization)

The process for the most common route — naturalization. Under the new law, the application is submitted only in person, without intermediaries or powers of attorney (except for minors and people under guardianship).

  1. 1

    Gather your documents

    Check which grounds apply to you and prepare the set of documents. All documents must be in Romanian or come with a certified translation; documents from abroad are accepted with an apostille or consular legalization.

    Document list on the ASP website →
  2. 2

    Pass the language and Constitution exam

    For naturalization you need to prove your knowledge of the Romanian language and the provisions of the Constitution. The exam is run by the National Agency for Curriculum and Assessment (ANCE); the certificate of passing is part of the document set.

    The exam on the ANCE website →
  3. 3

    Submit your application to ASP

    Book in advance and submit your application in person at an Agenția Servicii Publice office (or at a Moldovan consulate abroad). The application is addressed to the President of the Republic of Moldova.

    Booking and submission at ASP →
  4. 4

    Wait for the review

    Your file is reviewed by the competent authorities. The standard review period and possible extensions are listed on the ASP service page.

    Timelines and process on the ASP website →
  5. 5

    The decision — a presidential decree

    Citizenship is granted by decree of the President of the Republic of Moldova, based on the opinion of the citizenship commission.

    The text of Law No. 253/2025 →
  6. 6

    Take the oath

    The final step is the oath of allegiance to the Republic of Moldova (jurământ de credință). You become a citizen from the day you take the oath; it must be taken within a year after the decree comes into force.

    The oath — article 39 of the law →

The language and Constitution exam

For most grounds, including naturalization, you have to pass an exam: the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova test and the B2-level Romanian language exam. It's run by ANCE, and the certificate of passing is part of the citizenship document set. More about the exam.

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Frequently asked questions

Which citizenship law is currently in force in Moldova?+

Since 24 December 2025, the Citizenship Law of the Republic of Moldova No. 253/2025 has been in force. It replaced the earlier law No. 1024/2000. The official text is published on the legis.md portal.

What ways are there to get Moldovan citizenship?+

There are four routes: by birth, by recognition (recunoaștere), by naturalization, and by reacquisition (redobândire). Applications for recognition, naturalization, and reacquisition are submitted through Agenția Servicii Publice.

Do I need to pass the language and Constitution exam?+

Yes. For naturalization you need to prove your knowledge of the Romanian language and the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova. The exam is run by the National Agency for Curriculum and Assessment (ANCE), and the certificate of passing is part of the document set.

Can I apply through a representative or by power of attorney?+

No. Under law No. 253/2025, an application is accepted only if the applicant submits it in person — at ASP or a Moldovan consulate. Exceptions are made only for minors and people under guardianship.

When does a person become a citizen of Moldova?+

From the day of taking the oath of allegiance to the Republic of Moldova (jurământ de credință). The oath must be taken within a year after the President's decree granting citizenship comes into force.

From those who've taken it

Practical details from people who've been through the exam. This is community feedback, not the official rules — but it helps you understand how things actually work.

  • You book by email from the ANCE website. If they don't reply for a few days, call the numbers on the site — that's normal.
  • The written part is 90 minutes for four blocks, and time is tight. It's best not to leave the essay for the very end.
  • Grading the written part takes an hour or two — bring water and a snack. The speaking part comes after: a friendly conversation, usually 2–7 minutes.
  • The examiners want to help: before you start they go over each task, often show a sample answer, and during the dictation they stress the key words.
  • The certificate is ready in about two weeks — it's worth calling to check yourself.

Official sources