The main goal of the government-approved bill is to bring some 440,000 people who are currently out of work back into the formal labor market. This will help reduce the informal economy and allow legal work on easy terms, the Moldovan Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization said in a statement.
The 15% tax will apply to freelancers with an annual income of up to 1.2 million Moldovan lei.
The bill also aims to reduce bureaucracy by allowing freelancers to register and terminate work more easily and to work legally without setting up a company.
The number of companies contracting services provided by independent workers in Moldova increased from 4,399 in 2018 to 6,491 in 2024. And the number of independent service providers increased from 38,258 to 54,550, according to a government statement.
“It is essential to have a legislative framework that recognizes and supports these people who make a significant contribution to the national economy,” said Doina Nistor, deputy prime minister and minister of economic development and digitalization. – With this bill, we aim to give them the freedom to carry out their activities legally, enjoy social and health insurance, and contribute more to the country’s tax revenues. Our goal is to bring more people into the legal economy and support sustainable economic growth.”
After government approval, the bill passed its first reading in parliament with 55 votes out of 101. If approved in the second reading, the changes will take effect on January 1, 2026.
