Agreement signed in Bern: Moldovans working in Switzerland to benefit from pensions, other social benefits

Moldovans working in Switzerland will benefit from pensions and other social benefits. An Agreement to this effect was signed with the Swiss Confederation in Bern today.

According to Minister of Labor and Social Protection Alexei Buzu, the document was negotiated during two years. Thus, the Agreement will allow over 10,000 Moldovans residing in Switzerland to benefit from pensions and other social guarantees for the years worked in both countries.

“Thanks to this Agreement, Moldovan citizens who have worked both in Moldova and Switzerland will be able to accumulate the working periods, in order to get pensions and other social benefits. I am proud that we have reached this important stage and provided our citizens with the necessary protection, regardless of where they worked,” said Alexei Buzu.

The Agreement provides the giving of old age pensions, pensions of disability caused by a general disease, pensions and disability allowances caused by workplace accidents or professional diseases and survivor's pensions, according to the principle of proportionality. After the signing, both states will initiate internal ratification procedures.

Presently, about 3,300 Moldovans who live abroad receive pensions based on international Social Security Agreements signed by Moldova and other states. According to official data from January 1, 2025, most beneficiaries of pensions provided based on Social Security Agreements are from Germany – 1,054 citizens, Romania – 551, Bulgaria – 168, Belarus – 127, the Czech Republic – 134, and Lithuania – 90.

So far, Moldova has signed Social Security Agreements with 19 states, 18 of which have entered into force and are applicable. These are Social Security Agreements signed between Moldova and Romania, Bulgaria, Portugal, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Austria, Estonia, the Czech Republic, the Kingdom of Belgium, Poland, Hungary, Lithuania, Germany, Turkey, Belarus, Italy, Greece, Spain, and Latvia.