Moving to Iraq from Moldova

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Moldova to Iraq — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Moldova to Iraq, you would find that Iraq is 6.0% cheaper than Moldova overall. A MDL1,319,485 salary in Moldova would need to be roughly IQD61,279,688 in Iraq to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in Arabic, Aramaic and Sorani.

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How Far Will Your Money Go?

What to expect for your wallet after moving from Moldova to Iraq.

What does your salary buy?

MDL1,319,485 IQD61,279,688

To maintain the same standard of living in Iraq

Calculate with your salary →

Where you'll feel the difference day-to-day

Restaurants

pay 43.7% less

Groceries

pay 16.0% less

Transportation

pay 71.6% more

Housing

pay 33.7% more

Childcare

pay 61.7% less

Entertainment and Sports

pay 28.0% more

See full cost of living breakdown
Exchange rate: 1 MDL = 74.54 IQD (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

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Moldova to Iraq.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

MD
2.3
IQ
9.4
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

MD
9.1
IQ
21.5

Moldova performs better than Iraq across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

MD
$1,181
IQ
$843
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

MD
32.5
IQ
10.1

Moldova generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Iraq 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

MD
58.0
IQ
87.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

MD
3.4t
IQ
5.2t

Moldova performs better than Iraq across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

MD
24.4
IQ
14.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

MD
12.6%
IQ
59.6%

Moldova performs better than Iraq across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

MD
1.6%
IQ
15.5%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

MD
$15,700
IQ
$12,600

Moldova generally does better on employment & economy, though Iraq leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

MD
72.4 yrs
IQ
73.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

MD
11.6
IQ
19.6

Moldova generally does better on family life, though Iraq leads in life expectancy.

Data: State tax Service, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Moldova passport

Moldova passport holder visiting Iraq

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

Iraq passport holder visiting Moldova

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Iraq passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Moldova.

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 Iraq than Moldova?

Yes — Iraq is on average about 38% cheaper than Moldova. City-level variation can be significant.

How much money do I need to move to Iraq?

Plan for at least 3 months of living expenses — roughly IQD15,319,922 in Iraq on a MDL1,319,485 comparable salary — plus one-off moving costs (flights, shipping, a rental deposit, and visa fees).

Can I work remotely from Iraq?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Iraq has 14.4 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Iraq safe for expats?

Moldova performs better than Iraq across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Iraq is 9.4 per 100,000 people, compared to 2.3 in Moldova.

How is healthcare in Iraq compared to Moldova?

Moldova generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Iraq leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 10.1 doctors per 10,000 people in Iraq, compared to 32.5 in Moldova. Iraq scores 59 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Moldova: 71).

What language do they speak in Iraq?

The official languages in Iraq are Arabic, Aramaic and Sorani. In Moldova, the official language is Romanian.

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At a Glance

MD IQ
Population 3,287,326 40,462,701
Currency Moldovan Leu (MDL) Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
Languages Romanian Arabic, Aramaic, Sorani
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +373 +964
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112 104