Moving to Moldova from Australia

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Australia to Moldova? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Australia to Moldova, you would find that Moldova is 45.7% cheaper than Australia overall. A A$107,450 salary in Australia would need to be roughly MDL806,821 in Moldova to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in Romanian. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.

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How Far Will Your Money Go?

A breakdown of how everyday costs differ between Australia and Moldova.

What does your salary buy?

A$107,450 MDL806,821

To maintain the same standard of living in Moldova

Calculate with your salary →

How key spending categories compare

Restaurants

pay 52.0% less

Groceries

pay 45.8% less

Transportation

pay 31.2% less

Housing

pay 58.6% less

Childcare

pay 66.4% less

Entertainment and Sports

pay 62.4% less

See full cost of living breakdown
Exchange rate: 1 AUD = 12.2 MDL (July 2026)

Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Moldova compared to Australia.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

AU
0.8
MD
2.3
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

AU
4.5
MD
9.1

Australia performs better than Moldova across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

AU
$7,691
MD
$1,181
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

AU
39.8
MD
32.5

Australia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Moldova leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

AU
10.0
MD
58.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

AU
14.1t
MD
3.4t

Australia generally does better on environment, though Moldova leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

AU
35.1
MD
24.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

AU
4.6%
MD
12.6%

Australia performs better than Moldova across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

AU
3.7%
MD
1.6%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

AU
$59,500
MD
$15,700

Australia generally does better on employment & economy, though Moldova leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

AU
83.1 yrs
MD
72.4 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

AU
3.0
MD
11.6

Australia generally does better on family life, though Moldova leads in education spending.

Data: Australian Taxation Office, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Australia and Moldova. To live, work, or study long-term in Moldova, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Moldova's immigration authority.

Australia passport

Australia passport holder visiting Moldova

Visa Free
Australia passport holders can enter Moldova without a visa.
Moldova passport

Moldova passport holder visiting Australia

Visa Required
Moldova passport holders need a visa to enter Australia.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Moldova than Australia?

On average Moldova is about 38% less expensive than Australia, with major cities narrowing the gap.

How much money do I need to move to Moldova?

Budget about MDL201,705 for 3 months in Moldova (based on a A$107,450 comparable annual salary), then add the one-off costs: flights, shipping, a rental deposit, and visa fees.

Can I work remotely from Moldova?

Connectivity is usually fine (Moldova: 24.4 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Moldova offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Moldova safe for expats?

Australia performs better than Moldova across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Moldova is 2.3 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.8 in Australia.

How is healthcare in Moldova compared to Australia?

Australia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Moldova leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 32.5 doctors per 10,000 people in Moldova, compared to 39.8 in Australia. Moldova scores 71 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Australia: 87).

What language do they speak in Moldova?

The official language in Moldova is Romanian. In Australia, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

AU MD
Population 26,141,369 3,287,326
Currency Australian Dollar (A$) Moldovan Leu (MDL)
Languages English Romanian
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +61 +373
Time zones 8 1
Emergency number 000 112