The rules for pensions of citizens from the Republic of Moldova who move abroad depend mainly on the type of international social security agreement in force. Authorities distinguish between two key systems: territoriality and proportionality, and the difference is quite significant in practice.
Territoriality principle
Under agreements based on territoriality, the country where you permanently reside becomes responsible for paying your pension. This means:
- If you worked in Moldova but move abroad permanently, your Moldovan pension is suspended.
- You will receive a pension only from the country where you live, according to its laws.
- You cannot receive pensions from both countries at the same time or choose which one pays you.
For example, if a Moldovan pensioner settles in Russia or Ukraine under such agreements, Moldova stops payments, and the pension is granted by the country of residence.
Proportionality principle
This system is more flexible and generally more favorable for people who worked in multiple countries.
- Employment periods from different countries can be combined to meet eligibility requirements.
- Each country then pays a proportional share of the pension based on the years worked there.
Example:
If someone worked 14 years and 9 months in Moldova and 5 years in Bulgaria, these periods can be added together to qualify. Moldova will pay for its share, and Bulgaria will pay for the years worked there.
Minimum requirement
Under Moldovan law, you generally need at least 15 years of contributions to qualify for a pension. If you don’t meet this threshold, you receive a social allowance instead, unless an international agreement allows you to combine periods.
Why these agreements matter
Authorities stress that such agreements ensure people don’t lose their pension rights when they migrate. In simple terms, they allow citizens to “carry” their work history across borders and still benefit from it later.
Source: CNAS.MD.