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Registering an SRL (LLC) in Moldova: step-by-step guide and timelines in 2026

A limited liability company (Societate cu Răspundere Limitată, SRL) is the most common form of doing business in Moldova: the minimum share capital starts at 1 leu, the standard registration timeline is 24 hours, and the expedited timeline is 4 hours. Registering an SRL in Moldova takes only 24 hours, but in practice most delays occur before the documents are even filed. Errors in the articles of association, incorrectly chosen activity codes (CAEM), issues with the registered address, or foreign founders can drag out the process, lead to a registration refusal, or require re-filing. This guide walks through the entire SRL registration process in 2026 — from choosing a name to opening a bank account.

We break down the whole process step by step: from choosing a name to opening an account, with exact fees and the documents actually requested at the counter.

SRL at a glance

Step 1. Choose a company name

The name must be unique and not too similar to names already in the register — otherwise you risk a refusal right at the counter and losing a day to refile with a new option. We typically handle the preliminary check and clearance of the name ourselves.

Step 2. Determine the registered (legal) address

There are two scenarios:

Step 3. Prepare the document package

List of documents:

• Application for SRL registration
• Articles of association (a standard template or a custom-drafted one)
• Sole founder’s decision to establish the company / minutes of the founders’ meeting (if there is more than one founder)
• Declaration of ultimate beneficial owner (UBO)
• Documents relating to the registered address (proof of ownership plus the owner’s agreement/consent)
• Identity documents of the founders and the administrator
• Name reservation
• Proof of payment of the registration fee
• A notarized power of attorney, if the filing is made by a representative
• For companies with foreign investment — documents confirming non-resident status and the lawful origin of the constitutional documents (apostille/consular legalization and an authorized translation into Romanian)
• If the founder or director is a non-resident — obtaining an IDNP/tax code before filing the documents

Important to remember:

Information on business activities (CAEM) — the list of activities and the corresponding CAEM codes is prepared in advance and stated in the application and/or the articles of association.

1. If the founder is a foreign individual or a foreign company. Documents issued abroad must be apostilled (for countries outside the Hague Convention — consular legalization) and translated into Romanian by an authorized translator.

If the appointed administrator (director) is a non-resident, a personal identification code (IDNP / tax number) must be obtained before filing the registration documents; it is used for interactions with the tax authorities and the ASP.

Obtaining a personal identification code (IDNP / tax number) for a foreign director or founder is a separate procedure, carried out by the migration authorities (the General Inspectorate for Migration) and/or through ASP multifunctional centers. It takes time and advance preparation, so it needs to be completed before filing the company registration package.

In addition to the above, if the planned activity (the activity requested under CAEM at registration) or the investment structure itself may fall under Law No. 174/2021 (investments of strategic importance), it is worth checking in advance whether prior approval is required from the Council for the Review of Investments of Importance to State Security.

What this body is

The Council for the Review of Investments of Importance to State Security was set up by Government Decision No. 437/2025 to screen investments in areas considered “sensitive” to state security. It operates under Law No. 174/2021 and decides whether to approve or reject investments that may affect national or economic security.

When it matters for company registration

• The mechanism does not apply to all SRLs — only to investments in specific sectors (energy, communications, critical infrastructure, strategic resources, IT, and others) that the government has classified as “activities of importance to state security.”
• If your project or investor falls within these sectors, prior approval of the investment by this council may be required before or in parallel with the company’s registration or reorganization. Without such approval, the investment itself may be blocked even if the SRL is legally registered.

Step 4. File the documents and pay the fee

Worth knowing: in practice, the bottleneck is not the processing at the ASP itself, but preparing the document package and clearing up details before filing.

Documents are filed by prior appointment through the ASP portal/call center. The waiting time depends on how busy the particular branch is and on the season, so when planning your registration it’s best to book a slot not at the last minute but roughly 1–2 weeks before your target date, especially in larger cities.

Step 5. Obtain the registration decision

The company is considered registered from the date the entry is made in the State Register of Legal Entities (the date of the registration decision). From that date it exists as a legal entity and is entitled to enter into contracts, own property, and hire staff.

Step 6. Open a bank account

This is not formally part of the ASP registration procedure, but without an account the company cannot operate in full. Banks may ask for the articles of association, the registration decision, and — out of habit — a company stamp, even though a stamp is not legally required.

Step 7. Set up an electronic signature

The administrator (and other persons, if needed) must obtain a qualified electronic signature for filing returns, signing electronic contracts, and using government e-services. Without it, normal interaction with the tax authority and many banks is not possible.

Step 8. Company stamp (optional)

A stamp is not mandatory for an SRL, but having one often removes questions from counterparties, notaries, and banks that, out of habit, expect a “signature and stamp” on documents.

Special case: an IT company and the IT Park regime (MITP)

• If the company plans to operate in IT and earn at least 70% of its revenue from core IT activities, it is worth considering the Moldova IT Park (MITP) regime, which applies a single 7% tax on turnover instead of the standard 12% corporate income tax and most payroll and local taxes.
• To use this regime the company must register as an IT Park resident and meet the eligibility criteria (types of activity, revenue structure, minimum tax base per employee, reviewed annually).
• The decision to join IT Park is best made at the stage of designing the business model and financial projections, not after the fact.

Frequently asked questions

Is a minimum share capital required? Formally yes, but the minimum amount is 1 leu, so it doesn’t create any practical barrier to entry.

Is a company stamp mandatory? No — under the law, a stamp is not required for an SRL to operate.

Can a template articles of association found online be used? Formally, yes, a template can be used. However, it was designed as a universal document and does not account for the specifics of a particular business, the arrangements between the members, or future changes to the company’s structure. As long as relations between the founders remain good, this usually doesn’t cause problems. But when an investor comes in, shares are sold, or a corporate conflict arises, a generic template often becomes the source of prolonged litigation. For most companies, a custom-drafted charter is an investment in the business’s safety, not an unnecessary formality.

How long does the whole process take, from decision to an actually operating company? Registration itself takes 24 hours, or 4 hours with expedited filing; but factoring in document preparation, opening a bank account, and, if needed, apostilling foreign documents, a realistic timeline is anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.

What is needed if the founder is a foreign company? Apostilled (or legalized) constitutional documents of the foreign company, with a Romanian translation done by an authorized translator and notarized.

Limited liability company (SRL) or sole proprietorship (ÎI) — which to choose? An SRL protects the founder’s personal assets up to their share of the registered capital and suits businesses with employees; an ÎI is cheaper and faster to set up, but is better suited to those willing to answer for the business’s obligations with all of their personal assets.

Registering a company is only the first step in building a business. It’s far more important, even before filing the documents, to correctly define the company’s structure, prepare the articles of association, select the business activity codes (CAEM), assess whether licenses or permits are needed, and account for the requirements of tax law, personal data protection law and, where relevant, investment screening law. Mistakes made at this stage can end up costing far more than sound legal preparation from the outset.

The lawyers, attorneys, and accountants at the Legitimus law firm provide full turnkey company registration services in Moldova — from choosing the optimal legal form and tax regime through state registration and opening bank accounts, to ongoing legal, accounting, and tax support for the business.

After registration, we help build a solid legal foundation for the company’s operationsm, including ongoing legal assistance: drafting corporate documents, formalizing relations between the founders, preparing employment contracts and internal policies, supporting contract work, and ensuring compliance with personal data protection law, licensing, corporate governance, and other mandatory legal requirements. This comprehensive approach lets a business operate safely and efficiently from day one while minimizing legal and tax risk.

If you are planning to open a company in Moldova, we recommend seeking advice before filing the documents. This saves time and helps avoid a registration refusal, errors in corporate documents, unnecessary expenses, and the need to later fix a poorly chosen business structure.