Moldova's National Commission for Financial Markets has developed a draft law to replace the current framework for consumer credit contracts, aiming to align with the European Union acquis and reflect market changes such as accelerated digitisation, online credit offers, product diversification and new distribution models. The proposal would repeal Law No. 202/2013 once the new law enters into force. The draft extends regulation to additional forms of lending, including interest-free credit and “goods and services in instalments”, and sets specific rules for products involving deferred payments to suppliers while confirming exclusions, such as arrangements repaid in full within 50 days with no interest or other costs and no involvement of a bank, non-bank credit organisation or savings and loan association. It tightens requirements on advertising and the communication of pre-contractual information, strengthens rules on tying and the purchase of ancillary services, and prohibits inferring consumer consent from silence, inactivity or pre-ticked boxes. Cost controls include a cap on most credit-related commissions, fees and costs (excluding insurance premiums, pledge registration or deregistration costs and valuation costs) at 0.02% per day of actual credit use relative to the total credit amount; the interest-rate ceiling remains 50% for loans in national currency and would be set at 25% for loans linked to foreign currency. For arrears, penalties would be capped at 0.2% per day of delay, reduced to 0.05% in certain special cases, and limited to 0.02% per day after the credit is accelerated or the contract is terminated; the ban on charging any costs where credit is refused is maintained, and total consumer payments cannot exceed the amount disbursed under the contract. The draft also introduces clearer rules for credit distribution and facilitation, including registration, transparency and conduct obligations for credit intermediaries, and treats advisory services as a distinct activity that must be provided in the consumer’s interest and independently of creditor influence. The Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization is expected to promote the bill through the required approvals and public consultation process, alongside a separate draft law on consumer credit for residential immovable property.
National Commission for Financial Markets 2026-04-15
Moldova's National Commission for Financial Markets drafts consumer credit law extending scope to new products and tightening caps on costs and penalties
The National Commission for Financial Markets has drafted a new law to replace Moldova’s consumer credit framework, aligning it with the EU acquis and developments such as digitisation and online lending. The proposal broadens the scope of regulated credit, tightens rules on advertising, pre-contractual information, tying and consent, and introduces caps on most credit-related costs and arrears penalties, while adjusting interest-rate ceilings. It also sets clearer registration, transparency and conduct requirements for credit intermediaries and treats advisory services as a distinct, consumer-focused activity, with the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization expected to advance the bill.