Accession of Moldova to the European Union
The accession of Moldova to the European Union is on the current agenda for future enlargement of the EU.
Following an application by Moldova in March 2022, Moldova was officially granted candidate status by the EU on 22 June 2022.
On 14 December 2023, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Moldova. Accession negotiations officially began on 25 June 2024, simultaneously with those with Ukraine. Moldova set a target date of 2028 for EU Accession.
It is one of nine current EU candidate countries, together with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, [Accession of Accession of Georgia to the European Union|Georgia to the European Union|Georgia], Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine.
History
European perspective
The European Parliament passed a resolution in 2014 stating that "in accordance with Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, as well as any other European country, have a European perspective and can apply for EU membership in compliance with the principles of democracy, respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights, minority rights and ensuring the rule of rights".Membership application
After the outbreak of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, President of Moldova Maia Sandu signed the application for EU membership on 3 March 2022, together with Igor Grosu, President of the Moldovan Parliament; and Natalia Gavrilița, Prime Minister of Moldova.Questionnaire
On 11 April 2022, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova Nicu Popescu received a questionnaire from the European Commission following a meeting with the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi as a result of Moldova's application for candidacy.The response to the first part of the questionnaire was submitted back to the EC through the Delegation of the European Union to Moldova's head Janis Mazeiks by the Prime Minister of Moldova Natalia Gavrilița on 22 April, while the responses to the second part were submitted on 12 May 2022.
Recommendation
On 17 June 2022, the European Commission formally recommended that the European Council grant the Republic of Moldova the perspective to become a member of the European Union and candidate status for accession, with a number of conditions for the opening of accession negotiations.Candidacy
On 23 June 2022, Moldova received the status of candidate together with Ukraine. Both countries received candidate status under the commitment of structural reforms. Moldova's structural reforms include:- improving economic efficiency
- reducing corruption
- better enforcing property rights
- reducing the size of state-owned enterprises
- improving energy efficiency
- improving the labour market
On 13 September 2023, during the State of the European Union Address, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen stated that the future of Moldova is "in our Union".
In its June 2024 EU enlargement report, the European Commission expressed concern over the dismissal of Octavian Armașu as governor of National Bank of Moldova as a risk to good governance and central bank independence in Moldova. His dismissal was likewise scrutinised by the International Monetary Fund.
On 20 October 2024, Moldova narrowly voted to amend its constitution to include the aim of becoming a European Union member state in the 2024 Moldovan European Union membership constitutional referendum.
On 28 September 2025, the pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity retained power in the parliamentary election. This was welcomed by President von der Leyen as a vote for "Europe. Democracy. Freedom".
Negotiations
The 2023 enlargement package report was released by the European Commission on 8 November 2023, including updates on Moldova's acquis alignment and a recommendation for the Council to open accession negotiations.On 14 December 2023, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Moldova. On 21 June 2024, the European Union agreed to start membership negotiations with Ukraine. Accession negotiations officially opened on 25 June 2024, at the same time as those with Ukraine. Accession negotiations on the first cluster, Fundamentals, were expected to be officially opened in April 2025.
The screening process was completed on 22 September 2025 though no chapters have been opened thus far.
| Progression | 33 / 33 | 33 / 33 | 0 / 33 | 0 / 33 | |
| Cluster | Acquis chapter | Screening started | Screening completed | Chapter opened | Chapter closed |
| 1. Fundamentals | 5. Public Procurement | 2024-07-09 | 2024-07-11 | ||
| 1. Fundamentals | 18. Statistics | 2024-11-13 | 2024-11-14 | ||
| 1. Fundamentals | 23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights | 2024-10-15 | 2024-10-17 | ||
| 1. Fundamentals | 24. Justice, Freedom & Security | 2024-09-23 | 2024-09-26 | ||
| 1. Fundamentals | 32. Financial Control | 2024-10-14 | 2024-10-14 | ||
| 2. Internal Market | 1. Free Movement of Goods | 2025-02-18 | 2025-02-21 | ||
| 2. Internal Market | 2. Freedom of Movement For Workers | 2024-12-03 | 2024-12-03 | ||
| 2. Internal Market | 3. Right of Establishment & Freedom To Provide Services | 2024-12-05 | 2024-12-06 | ||
| 2. Internal Market | 4. Free Movement of Capital | 2024-12-16 | 2024-12-16 | ||
| 2. Internal Market | 6. Company Law | 2025-03-20 | 2025-03-20 | ||
| 2. Internal Market | 7. Intellectual Property Law | 2024-12-17 | 2024-12-18 | ||
| 2. Internal Market | 8. Competition Policy | 2025-01-20 | 2025-01-22 | ||
| 2. Internal Market | 9. Financial Services | 2025-02-03 | 2025-02-04 | ||
| 2. Internal Market | 28. Consumer & Health Protection | 2025-03-17 | 2025-03-19 | ||
| 3. Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth | 10. Information Society & Media | 2025-03-27 | 2025-03-28 | ||
| 3. Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth | 16. Taxation | 2025-05-15 | 2025-05-16 | ||
| 3. Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth | 17. Economic & Monetary Policy | 2025-05-21 | 2025-05-21 | ||
| 3. Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth | 19. Social Policy & Employment | 2025-04-03 | 2025-04-04 | ||
| 3. Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth | 20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy | 2025-05-22 | 2025-05-23 | ||
| 3. Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth | 25. Science & Research | 2025-05-12 | 2025-05-12 | ||
| 3. Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth | 26. Education & Culture | 2025-05-13 | 2025-05-13 | ||
| 3. Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth | 29. Customs Union | 2025-04-07 | 2025-04-08 | ||
| 4. Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity | 14. Transport Policy | 2025-06-10 | 2025-06-13 | ||
| 4. Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity | 15. Energy | 2025-07-10 | 2025-07-11 | ||
| 4. Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity | 21. Trans-European Networks | 2025-06-10 | 2025-07-11 | ||
| 4. Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity | 27. Environment & Climate Change | 2025-06-30 | 2025-07-04 | ||
| 5. Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion | 11. Agriculture & Rural Development | 2025-09-15 | 2025-09-17 | ||
| 5. Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion | 12. Food Safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy | 2025-09-08 | 2025-09-12 | ||
| 5. Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion | 13. Fisheries | 2025-06-02 | 2025-06-03 | ||
| 5. Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion | 22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments | 2025-09-18 | 2025-09-19 | ||
| 5. Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion | 33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions | 2025-09-22 | 2025-09-22 | ||
| 6. External Relations | 30. External Relations | 2025-02-05 | 2025-02-05 | ||
| 6. External Relations | 31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy | 2025-03-21 | 2025-03-21 | ||
| Others | 34. Institutions | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Others | 35. Other Issues | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Challenges
According to Octavian Calmîc, who served as Moldova's Minister of Economy from 2016 to 2017, the accession of Moldova to the EU presents potential benefits but also risks. These include the loss of agricultural productivity due to the concentration of land ownership and business operations in multinational corporations, similar to what has occurred in other EU countries. Calmîc has said that the loss of agricultural productivity could lead to a reduction in domestic food production and job losses in rural areas. Additionally, Moldova's local industries face challenges, particularly the risk of decreased competitiveness in both domestic and international markets, which could result in plant closures and unemployment. Furthermore, the energy sector is vulnerable, as Moldova may face high energy prices and a lack of investment in energy infrastructure, according to Calmîc.Treaties
Association Agreement
The EU Association Agreement was initialed on 29 November 2013 in Brussels. It was signed on 27 June 2014 and was being provisionally applied starting 1 September 2014.On 1 July 2016, the Association Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova fully came into force, following ratification by all 31 signatories.
The parties committed to co-operate and converge economic policy, legislation, and regulation across a broad range of areas, including equal rights for workers, the exchange of information and staff in the area of justice, the modernisation of Moldova's energy infrastructure, and access to the European Investment Bank. The parties committed to regular summit meetings, and meetings among ministers, other officials, and experts.
The Association Agreement commits Moldova to economic, judicial and financial reforms to converge its policies and legislation to those of the European Union.
The 30 parties are Moldova, the EU and Euratom and the 27 EU members.
Malta
The ratification was performed in accordance with article 4 of the Maltese European Union Act, which reads that:
"Provided that with regard to treaties and international conventions which Malta may accede to as Member State of the European Union, and treaties and international conventions which Malta is bound to ratify in its own name or on behalf of the European Community by virtue of its membership within the
European Union, these shall come into force one month following their being submitted in order to be discussed by the Standing Committee on Foreign and European Affairs."
As the treaty was submitted to the Standing Committee on Foreign and European Affairs on 21 July 2014, the treaty came into force as part of the Maltese legislation on 21 August 2014.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
The ratification was based on The European Union Order 2015, made in accordance with section 1 of the European Communities Act 1972, after having been approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.The agreement applied to the United Kingdom as an EU-member state until Brexit on 31 January 2020. During the transition period that followed Brexit, the agreement until 31 December 2020, the agreement still applied to the UK. The UK and Moldova announced on 8 October 2020 an agreement replacing the EU-Moldova Association Agreement between them, which was provisionally applied from 1 January 2021.
Free trade area
The agreement established a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between the EU and Moldova, including "the removal of import duties for most goods traded between the EU and Moldova" and "broad mutual access to trade in services for both partners".Public opinion
A poll in June 2018 found that 46% preferred that Moldova join the EU versus 36% that preferred to join the Eurasian Economic Union.A March 2022 survey conducted by Magenta Consulting found that, after president Maia Sandu announced that her government had officially submitted an application for membership of the European Union, 61% of Moldovans were in favour of EU membership, up from 52% before the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
| Date | Question | Totally support | Rather support | Rather don't support | Don't support at all | Don't know/No answer |
| March 2022 | EU membership | 40% | 21% | 10% | 21% | 8% |
In May 2022, a poll in Moldova found that 56.1% supported EU membership.
Two July 2023 polls in Moldova showed respectively 63% support and 59% support for Moldova joining the EU.
A referendum on changing the constitution to include EU accession as a goal took place on 20 October 2024. There were no voting stations in Transnistria; however, residents there were free to travel to other areas of Moldova to vote. A narrow majority supported the referendum.
According to the 2025 annual survey of opinion in the Republic of Moldova, almost nine out of ten Moldovans feel their country has good relations with the EU. Trust in the EU is also at its highest ever level, 71%. Overall, most Moldovans have a positive image of the EU, compared to 14% who have a negative image. 60% said they supported EU membership, and 63% would vote in favour of accession if a referendum was held, compared to 26% against.