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Residence permit, permanent stay or citizenship: which one is for you?

Living in Moldova long term can mean a residence permit, a permanent right of residence, or citizenship. Which one fits depends on how long you have lived here and on your ties to Moldova. Find your situation below.

Ask about your case

Good to know

  • Who this is for: foreigners who live in Moldova, or plan to, and want to know what comes next.
  • Citizenship by naturalisation needs permanent residence first. Citizenship by recognition is for people who may already be citizens under the law.
  • Each route has its own conditions and a guide that lists them.
  • Not sure which one fits? Ask us about your case.

Find your situation

  1. You are new here, or your stay is temporary

    You can ask for a temporary right of residence for a reason such as work, study or family. It is granted by the migration service.

    Full guide: Residence permit in Moldova (right of residence) →checked 19 October 2026

  2. Your permit is about to expire

    Ask for an extension at least 30 days before your current right of residence ends. The card that proves it is renewed in a separate step.

    Full guide: Residence permit in Moldova (right of residence) →checked 19 October 2026Full guide: Residence permit card and other ID documents for foreigners →checked 19 October 2026

  3. You have lived here for years and want citizenship

    You can apply for citizenship by naturalisation if you are over 18, have legal permanent residence, know Romanian and the Constitution, and have a legal source of income. You also need one of the further conditions in the guide, such as years of legal residence or marriage to a citizen.

    Full guide: Moldovan citizenship by naturalisation →checked 19 October 2026

  4. You, or your family, have roots in Moldova

    If you were born in Moldova, or a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent was, you may already be a citizen under the law and can ask to be recognised. Other cases are listed in the guide.

    Full guide: Moldovan citizenship by recognition →checked 19 October 2026

  5. You gave up Moldovan citizenship

    You can regain it on request, and you may keep your foreign citizenship.

    Full guide: Regain Moldovan citizenship →checked 19 October 2026

  6. You need to prove your status in the meantime

    A certificate of your status as a foreigner confirms your state ID number, your ID document, your registered address and your family.

    Full guide: Certificate of your status as a foreigner in Moldova →checked 19 October 2026
  7. Not covered here

    Your case is in between

    Your history and your documents decide which route fits. This page cannot judge a case.

    Ask about your case →

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Guides on this page

Source. This page is written by us from our guides to public services, which are based on the official pages on evo.gov.md. Practical tips are not from an official source.

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