Ukrainian refugees in Moldova have paid approximately $90 million in taxes and social contributions, and opened more than 200 businesses since the start of Russia's full-scale war in 2022, Moldovan business outlet Mold-Street reported, citing data from the Economic Council under Moldova's prime minister.
More than 47,000 Ukrainian refugees have extended their temporary protection status in Moldova since the start of 2026, with another 4,700 submitting new applications.
The pattern mirrors Poland on a smaller scale, where 1.55 million Ukrainian citizens contributed approximately $5 billion to the Polish budget in 2024.
Integration barriers remain despite legal labor-market access
Moldovan law gives Ukrainian refugees access to the labor market, but integration remains complex due to language barriers, difficulty in recognizing professional qualifications, and the need to adapt to local market requirements.
Business circles in Moldova have noted that Ukrainian refugees help compensate for labor shortages and contribute to local economic development.
Independent entrepreneur status could add $3.3 million annually by 2027
During a meeting of the National Council for Economic Empowerment and Gender Equality (CNAEEG), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the UN Development Program (UNDP) presented data on the situation of Ukrainian refugees in Moldova and proposed policy measures to facilitate their access to the labor market.
Approximately 2,080 refugees could choose independent entrepreneur status by 2027, generating around $3.3 million annually for Moldova's budget at minimal administrative cost, according to estimates presented at the meeting. The meeting also discussed work permit procedures and mechanisms for recognizing professional qualifications.
Earlier, 27 European member states agreed to open the first negotiation cluster covering “fundamentals", marking the formal start of the EU accession talks for Ukraine and Moldova. It formally begins talks on core governance reforms, following repeated postponements despite earlier candidate status.
