Moving to Moldova from Spain

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Spain to Moldova, you would find that Moldova is 33.5% cheaper than Spain overall. A €64,304 salary in Spain would need to be roughly MDL886,232 in Moldova to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in Romanian.

How Far Will Your Money Go?

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

What does your salary buy?

€64,304 MDL886,232

To maintain the same standard of living in Moldova

Calculate with your salary →

How key spending categories compare

Restaurants

pay 50.1% less

Groceries

pay 35.8% less

Transportation

pay 41.0% less

Housing

pay 45.7% less

Childcare

pay 27.7% less

Entertainment and Sports

pay 40.3% less

See full cost of living breakdown
Exchange rate: 1 EUR = 20.12 MDL (June 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 Spain.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

ES
0.7
MD
2.3
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

ES
3.5
MD
9.1

Spain 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

ES
$4,935
MD
$1,181
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

ES
44.8
MD
32.5

Spain 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

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

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ES
4.5t
MD
3.4t

Spain 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

ES
36.0
MD
24.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

ES
43.2%
MD
12.6%

Spain generally does better on infrastructure, though Moldova leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

ES
12.1%
MD
1.6%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

ES
$46,400
MD
$15,700

Moldova generally does better on employment & economy, though Spain leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

ES
82.5 yrs
MD
72.4 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ES
2.5
MD
11.6

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

Data: Agencia Tributaria, Spain, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Spain 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.

Spain passport

Spain passport holder visiting Moldova

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

Moldova passport holder visiting Spain

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

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 Spain?

On average Moldova is about 31% less expensive than Spain, with major cities narrowing the gap.

How much money do I need to move to Moldova?

Budget about MDL221,558 for 3 months in Moldova (based on a €64,304 comparable annual salary), then add the one-off costs: flights, shipping, rental deposit, 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?

Spain performs better than Moldova across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Moldova is 2.3 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.7 in Spain.

How is healthcare in Moldova compared to Spain?

Spain 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 44.8 in Spain. Moldova scores 71 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Spain: 85).

What language do they speak in Moldova?

The official language in Moldova is Romanian. In Spain, the official languages are Basque, Catalan, Galician and Spanish.

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At a Glance

ES MD
Population 47,163,418 3,287,326
Currency Euro (€) Moldovan Leu (MDL)
Languages Basque, Catalan, Galician, Spanish Romanian
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +34 +373
Time zones 2 1
Emergency number 112 112