Extended benefits for Diaspora: what Moldovans need to do to benefit

Moldovans who choose to return to the country from the Diaspora will benefit from extended facilities for importing personal goods and automobiles. To take advantage of them, citizens must return to live in the country, submit an application to the Customs Service and sign a declaration committing to remain residents in the country for 3 years. The draft law providing these benefits today was voted in parliament in the first reading.

The initiative belongs to deputies from the 'Action and Solidarity Party' faction, Valeriu Robu, Alic Baraboi, Ana Butucea, Ilie Ionas, and Mihail Druta, who have work experience abroad.

The draft provides a one-time tax and customs exemption for citizens who return to live in the country and meet the eligibility conditions.

Thus, the exemption from import duties will apply to cars up to 10 years old (compared to the previous 9 years), with a customs value of up to 550,000 lei (compared to 400,000 lei previously) and an engine capacity of up to 3,000 cm³ (compared to 2,500 cm³ previously).

Citizens returning from abroad will be able to bring personal use items into the country without paying import duties, within the limits established in the application submitted to the Customs Service. Beneficiaries must sign a declaration taking responsibility to remain in the country for three years as residents.

Valeriu Robu, one of the draft's authors, said:

‘’This draft law was developed, in order to create a mechanism that recognizes and supports the return of Moldovan citizens from the Diaspora. Long-term migration has generated temporary positive effects through remittances, but in the long term, it negatively affects demographics, the economy and the social situation. Through this initiative, we aim to reduce the costs of the return process and encourage family reunification.’

The deputy added:

‘’The draft law provides guarantees that the goods introduced with exemption will be used exclusively by those who return to live in the country. We have established clear criteria to prevent abuses. Our goal is to encourage citizens to return, to support demographic growth and to strengthen our society.’’

According to Robu, in the last two years, remittances and the savings of citizens from the Diaspora have totaled over 3.2 billion dollars and have been used for investments in real estate, businesses and the economic development of Moldova.

The initial law, adopted in 2022, allowed the giving of import exemptions for citizens who return home, but the term expired on October 1, 2025. So far, about  400 people have benefited from these facilities.