The Government’s decision to stop accepting applications for compensation under the “Prima Casa” program starting April 1, 2026, has drawn strong criticism from the opposition, including MP Ion Chicu and Ion Ceban, mayor of Chisinau. Both officials accuse the authorities of undermining young people’s access to housing in the Republic of Moldova.
Ion Chicu said in a Facebook live that these compensations represented the key element of the program, especially as mortgage interest rates no longer offer significant advantages.
“The only attractive element left was the financial support granted after purchasing a home, especially for families with children or public sector employees,” Chicu stated.
He argued that changes introduced in 2024, particularly the increase in the loan ceiling, placed additional pressure on the state budget. He also announced that he will request extra funding during the next budget revision to continue payments for existing beneficiaries.
For his part, Ion Ceban emphasized that authorities introduced the measure during a difficult economic period marked by rising housing prices, higher loan interest rates, and stagnant incomes. He warned that limiting access to the program will accelerate migration and reduce the number of families choosing to remain in the country.
“We are against stopping the ‘Prima Casa’ program. The number of our citizens in the diaspora will increase significantly, adding to the 300,000 who have already left in recent years. For many people, this program was the only real chance to buy a home,” Ceban said in a video message.
The Ministry of Finance of Moldova announced that authorities stopped accepting new applications after exhausting the allocated budget for 2026 within the first quarter, amid very high demand for the program.