How to Register a Sole Proprietorship in Moldova

Moldova is located in Eastern Europe, surrounded by Ukraine and Romania. Moldova currently has about 2.7 million inhabitants, and the capital Chisinau has about 700 thousand inhabitants. It has a diverse economy with a focus on agriculture and the wine industry. GDP per capita in 2019 was $ 4,498. According to predictions, in 2021, Moldova should achieve a growth of 4.3% in GDP.
‍

Disclaimer: This article is not a substitute for legal advice. Please always check official websites or seek legal advice before you take action.

Sole proprietorship in Moldova

The sole proprietorship is the most common type of business in Moldova. It is often established due to lower taxes and an easy registration process. Sole proprietorships are also desirable because all the profits belong to the owner. It can also be cooperative ownership with family members. All the property of proprietorship is not distinct from the owner's property.

How to register a sole proprietorship in Moldova

Choose a business name

When you decide that you want to run a sole proprietorship, the first step is to choose if you are going to operate under your name or trade name. To register a trade name, you should get in touch with the Registration Chamber of Moldova. You will be required to select five potential names of your business.

Registration process

Here are all the documents needed to complete the registration as a sole proprietorship:

• Business name
• Registered address
• Authorized capital amount (not determined by the law)
• Kind of activity
• Chosen bank with the account open
• Selection of the taxation system (common, simplified)
• Other documents requested by ALPS & CHASE

Keep in mind all the submitted documents must be in Romanian. The registration process lasts five working days.

Tax registration and taxation system in Moldova

As a business person in Moldova, you must register for Value Added Tax VAT), and for that, you need to obtain a VAT number. Registration for VAT cannot be done online, and it must be filed with local tax authorities in person. In Moldova, the VAT is taxed at a 20% rate.

The VAT applies to:

• The supply of goods or services made in Moldova 
• Importation of services received in Moldova
• Importation of goods

The due date for the tax return is the 30th of April. Regarding income tax, individual entrepreneurs are subject to a 12% tax rate. You must file an income tax return by the 30th of April of the following year.