Moldovan nationality law dates back to June 2, 2000 and has been amended several times, with the latest modifications being made in 2014. It is based on the
Constitution of Moldova
The current Constitution was adopted on 29 July 1994 by the Moldovan Parliament. It came into force on 27 August 1994 and has since been amended 8 times.
The Constitution established the Republic of Moldova as a sovereign state, independent an ...
(articles 17, 18 and 19). It is mainly based on
Jus sanguinis.
Dual nationality
Multiple/dual citizenship (or multiple/dual nationality) is a legal status in which a person is concurrently regarded as a national or citizen of more than one country under the laws of those countries. Conceptually, citizenship is focused on ...
is allowed, under certain conditions.
Under the law, there are provisions for
citizenship
Citizenship is a "relationship between an individual and a state to which the individual owes allegiance and in turn is entitled to its protection".
Each state determines the conditions under which it will recognize persons as its citizens, and ...
to be acquired by:
* Birth
* Recognition
* Adoption
* Recover
* Naturalisation
Citizenship by birth
You acquire citizenship by birth, if you fulfil any of the following requirements:
# Either of your parents is a citizen of Moldova at the time of your birth
# You are born on the territory of Moldova, and your parents are
stateless persons
In international law, a stateless person is someone who is "not considered as a national by any state under the operation of its law". Some stateless people are also refugees. However, not all refugees are stateless, and many people who are st ...
# You are born on the territory of Moldova, and cannot receive the citizenship of either of your parents
# Any foundling found on the territory of Moldova is considered a citizen unless proven otherwise, until the age of 18
Citizenship by recognition
You may gain Moldovan citizenship by:
# Being born in the territory of the Republic of Moldova or by having a parent, or grandparent who was born there
# Having resided in Bessarabia, in the North Bukovina, Hertsa Region, and the M.A.S.S.R. before 28 June 1940, or by being a descendant of such a prior resident and having lawful and habitual residence in the Republic of Moldova.
# Having been deported from or having fled the Republic of Moldova since 28 June 1940, or being a descendant of such a deportee or refugee.
Citizenship by naturalisation
Citizenship may be granted to anyone who has reached the age of 18, and who meets one of the following criteria:
# Has resided in Moldova lawfully and habitually for the last ten years
# has been married to a citizen of Moldova for at least three years
# has resided lawfully and habitually for three years with parents or children (including adoptive) who are citizens of Moldova
# Has resided lawfully and habitually for five years before reaching the age of 18
# Is a stateless person or recognised
refugee, who has been lawfully and habitually for at least 8 years
In addition they must fulfil the following criteria:
# Knows and observes the provisions of the Moldovan constitution
# Passed an exam in the national language
# Possesses legal sources of income
Dual citizenship
Moldova allows its citizens to hold foreign citizenship in addition to their Moldovan citizenship. Acquiring a foreign citizenship, therefore, does not result in the loss of Moldovan citizenship. Some countries, however, do not permit multiple citizenship e.g. adults who acquired Moldovan and
Japanese citizenship
Japanese nationality law details the conditions by which a person holds nationality of Japan. The primary law governing nationality regulations is the 1950 Nationality Act.
Children born to at least one Japanese parent are generally automaticall ...
by birth must declare, to the latter's
Ministry of Justice A Ministry of Justice is a common type of government department that serves as a justice ministry.
Lists of current ministries of justice
Named "Ministry"
* Ministry of Justice (Abkhazia)
* Ministry of Justice (Afghanistan)
* Ministry of Just ...
, before turning 22, which citizenship they want to keep.
Controversy
On 28 September 2017, a new law allowing individuals to buy their citizenship for a fixed sum took effect. Moldovan pro-Russian president
Igor Dodon tried to bring in investments from Russia stating that "The Moldovan passport could allow them to travel in Europe freely."
These provisions were repealed by a law that entered into force on September 1, 2020.
References
External links
Texts of the Moldovan law on citizenship
{{Moldova-stub