On this page, you will find:
To find organisations working for LGBTQI+ rights, visit our Republic of Moldova LGBTQI+ Resources page.
For the Republic of Moldova country of information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents visit our Republic of Moldova COI page.
Refugee protection
Click here to see the numbers and origins of refugees hosted by the Republic of Moldova.
The following sections contain information on the most important international treaties and agreements of which the Republic of Moldova is signatory, as well as national legislation relevant to the protection of refugees.
The Republic of Moldova is party to the following:
- 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, which provides the internationally recognised definition of a refugee and outlines the legal protection, rights, and assistance a refugee is entitled to receive.
- 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, which expanded the Convention to apply universally and protect all persons fleeing conflict and persecution.
- 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, which established a framework for the international protection of stateless persons.
- 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, which set rules for the conferral and non-withdrawal of citizenship to prevent cases of statelessness from arising.
- 1997 European Convention on Nationality, which established principles and rules on nationality.
The Republic of Moldova is currently not a member of the EU but they are a candidate country with a target date of 2030 for EU accession.
In addition to its obligations under the aforementioned international instruments, the Republic of Moldova is obligated to respect the international customary legal principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits any country from deporting any person to a country where they face the threat of persecution.
In the Republic of Moldova, the body responsible for the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) process is the Asylum and Integration Directorate of the Bureau for Migration and Asylum. This government department, a subdivision of the Minister of International Affairs, manages all refugee processes, including applications, reception, and integration into society.
The Constitution of the Republic of Moldova provides fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to seek asylum. Article 19 provides that the right to asylum is guaranteed by law.
The 2000 Law on Citizenship of the Republic of Moldova (Law No. 1024/2000) defines stateless persons and adopts measures to prevent statelessness later in life. A stateless person can be defined as ‘A person who is not considered as a national by any State under the operation of its law’. It outlines preventive measures to ensure individuals do not become stateless, such as granting birthright nationality, and ensuring administrative or legal issues do not leave individuals as stateless.
In 2011, the government adopted the Law on Integration of Foreigners in the Republic of Moldova Law nr. 274. This law provides partial transposition of the European Council Directive no. 83/2004/CE of 29 April 2004. The law aims to create a uniform legal framework for the integration of foreigners in Moldova, covering the integration into economic, social, and cultural life.
The Moldavian government also grants temporary protection to displaced persons from Ukraine. Protection is granted through the Government Decision No. 21/2023, activated on 1 March 2023. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, over 135,000 Ukrainian refugees have fled to neighbouring Moldova, making the Republic of Moldova one of the largest refugee-hosting nations in Europe per capita.
For more information regarding the asylum process, click here.
Asylum can be applied for at the General Inspectorate for Migration, border crossing points, police offices, or at detention centres. Applicants can only apply for asylum within the Republic of Moldova’s territory – it is not possible to apply for asylum abroad.
To begin an asylum application, applicants have to fill out a form and file an application, which allows them to receive a temporary identity document as an asylum seeker. This document is valid for a period of 30 days, with the possibility of extending it for another 30 days.
During the procedure, applicants will be accommodated at the Temporary Accommodation Centre. This accommodation is a government-run accommodation centre, serving as a temporary shelter for asylum seekers or vulnerable refugees. Asylum applications usually take six months, but if a decision cannot be made within this time it may be extended by one month. Applicants will be interviewed approximately 21 days after filing the claim. This interview’s purpose is for the interviewee to get to know the applicant and understand the reasons for claiming asylum. Applicants have the right to a translator and lawyer during this interview. Applicants do not have to find their own translator, interpreters are provided free of charge during the application process, including each interview.
If a decision is reached recognising the applicant as a refugee, they will be issued an identity card valid for five years.if they are granted humanitarian protection instead of refugee status, they will be issued an identity card that is valid for 3 years. If a negative decision is held, you can appeal. To seek legal advice, call the Centrul de Drept al Avocatilor.
Temporary protection to displaced persons from Ukraine
Special temporary protection status is available for Ukrainians, this is an exceptional measure to provide an immediate form of protection including access to services to persons who meet the eligibility criteria. The rights provided include the right to stay in Moldova, access to medical assistance, social welfare, and education for children. There is no fee for applying for this temporary protection. If an applicant is asked for money, it should be reported to the Refugee Response Green Line (0 800 800 11). UNHCR has published details here regarding when you can apply, how to make an application, and what rights this grants.
Legal stay in Moldova – YouTube also offers more information on temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees. (in English and Romanian).
Legal aid organisations
Website
Tel: +373 22 26 21 68
Email: shelter_team@iom.md / secreteariat@social.gov.md
Centrul de Asistenta si Protectie is a highly specialised public institution that intervenes in cases of crisis for victims of trafficking and those in risk situations. The centre originally began assisting people in January 2001 with the support of the International Organisation for Migration, in response to the growing demand for rehabilitation services for a large number of Moldovan women returning from Balkan states. The centre provides food, medical, social, psychological, and legal services to victims of trafficking or domestic violence, as well as vulnerable and unaccompanied children and migrants.
Website
Address: 8, Vlaicu Parcalab St., Chisinau, MD-2009
Tel: +373 022 240 899
Email: law-center@cda.md
Centrul de Drept al Avocaților (CDA) is a public, non-political, non-profit association registered since 1997 at the Ministry of Justice. The organisation promotes refugees’ fundamental rights and freedoms by providing legal assistance, training, monitoring, and advocacy. For legal assistance hotline numbers, see here.
Website
Facebook
Tel: General (+373 533) 8-99-77 / 0 800 88888 (Transnistria)
Interaction calls on social institutions to take joint action to prevent human rights violations, with a special focus on the rights of women and children who are victims of trafficking. It provides refugees from Ukraine with legal and psychological advice, material assistance, social adaptation support, and help purchasing food and medication.
Website
Address: Tiraspol, “Old Tower” (2nd floor), opposite the Institute of Arts (map)
Tel: +373 533 52764 (landline) / +373 778 52764 (mobile)
Email: office@womenin.org
The Women’s Initiatives centre works to promote the realisation of the rights for those affected by human trafficking and domestic violence, as well as other people at risk. They provide children, women, and their families with qualified social, psychological, educational, humanitarian, and legal assistance. The centre can connect you with legal services to help with identification documentation and preparing immigration applications. They are also currently helping refugees from Ukraine to get access to clothing, food, transport, and psychological and legal consultations.
Organisations providing other support to refugees
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Address (postal): Moldova, Transnistria, Tiraspol, MD-3300, P.O. Box 594, Lenin St. 17
Tel: +373 533 444 11
Email: civicinitiatives@gmail.com
Center Resonance is an NGO which upholds the values of democratic decision-making, observance of human rights, and adherence to the principles of gender equality and non-discrimination. They work to increase civic engagement and improve women’s rights. Recently, the centre has been working with refugees from Ukraine to provide food, clothing, personal hygiene items, and household cleaning products. They have also brought in social workers and psychologists to assist with their work and plan to develop their assistance and support for refugee employment.
Website
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Address: 64, Vasile Alecsandri St., Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, MD-2012.
Tel: +373 22 21 25 76 / +373 68 41 25 76
Email: pi@ccr.md
The CCR offers social assistance, employment counselling, and cultural activities to refugees. Their mission is to facilitate the pre-integration of asylum seekers and integration of refugees into the Moldovan society by conducting community-based activities and ensuring self-reliance through employment.
Website
Facebook
Address: MD-2009, Chisinau, Mateevici Street 65.
Tel: + 373 22 27 06 19
Email: rctv@memoria.md
RCTV Memoria is a non-profit and independent rehabilitation centre for victims of torture and inhuman and degrading treatment. They provide medical, psychological, and humanitarian assistance to refugees, with an individualised approach and a particular focus on trauma assistance. They are currently providing assistance to refugees from Ukraine, including medical, psychological, and social assistance.
Website
Address: Constantin Stere Street, 1, Chisinau city, MD 2009, Republic of Moldova
Tel: +373 22 23 25 82 / +373 22 74 56 66
Save the Children Moldova is an implementing partner of UNHCR’s social programme that includes providing in-kind support and medical assistance to the most vulnerable groups of asylum seekers and refugees, arranging community activities to help refugees to support integration into society, and ensuring access to education for refugee children.
Address: Main Office, Dorda Stanojevica 11/70, Belgrade, 11070 Serbia
Tel. +381-11-6300310
In Moldova, the Church World Service (CWS) partners with local organizations to support Ukrainian refugees and the Moldovan communities hosting them by providing emergency aid, education, psychosocial care, and livelihoods assistance. Their programs supply food, hygiene items, winter essentials, and legal or medical support while helping children access schooling and offering counseling to those affected by trauma.
Republic of Moldova LGBTQI+ Resources
Find organisations working for refugee LGBTQI+ rights in the Republic of Moldova.
Republic of Moldova COI
Find the Republic of Moldova Country of Origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents.
We are always looking to expand the resources on our platform. If you know about relevant resources, or you are aware of organisations and/or individuals to include in our directories, please get in touch.
Last updated August 2025
