Moldova's Ministry of Finance holds consultations on EU accession positions for capital movements and financial services

Moldova's Ministry of Finance held public consultations on Oct. 28, 2026, on the country's European Union (EU) accession negotiating positions for Chapter 4, Free Movement of Capital, and Chapter 9, Financial Services. The priorities presented include fully liberalizing foreign exchange operations, updating payments legislation and strengthening bank recovery, resolution and deposit guarantee mechanisms in line with EU standards. For capital movements, further work will focus on aligning payment services and foreign exchange legislation with European and international standards, including updating the framework for electronic money. These priorities build on the banking system's connection to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) and the extension of MIA Instant Payments to transactions between legal entities. Earlier reforms also strengthened rules to prevent and combat money laundering and liberalized transactions in certain highly rated foreign financial instruments with maturities exceeding five years. For financial services, further legislative alignment follows the adoption of laws on markets in financial instruments and cryptoassets addressing investor and user protection. Other developments reviewed included the establishment of the first voluntary pension fund and the official registration of the International Exchange of Moldova. The remaining priorities include improving bank recovery and resolution arrangements and deposit guarantee mechanisms to meet EU standards.