A Decree and Law ratifying the social security agreement between the Republic of Moldova and Canada have been published in the Official Journal and the agreement has entered into force as of 18 June 2026. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Moldova will notify Canada of the ratification, enabling the agreement’s implementation.1
WHY THIS MATTERS
The entry into force of the social security agreement is significant for Moldovan citizens who have worked legally in Canada, as well as for employers, payroll managers, and global mobility professionals managing cross-border assignments. The agreement allows the totalization of insurance periods and the export of social benefits, reducing the risk of dual contributions and enabling Moldovan mobile employees to qualify for old-age, disability, and survivor’s pensions based on combined periods of insurance or residence. Organizations may experience reduced administrative complexity and enhanced employee benefits when assigning Moldovan nationals to Canada or vice versa.
For globally mobile employees, the agreement provides greater certainty regarding social security entitlements accrued during periods of work in either country. This may improve financial planning and reduce gaps in coverage for Moldovan nationals working in Canada and Canadian nationals working in Moldova.
Key Highlights
- Totalization of insurance periods: Work periods completed in both Moldova and Canada can be combined to satisfy minimum eligibility requirements for social benefits.
- Export of social benefits: Eligible pensions (old-age, disability, survivor’s) can be paid to beneficiaries residing in either country.
- Proportionality principle: Benefits are calculated in proportion to insurance periods completed in each country.
- Coverage: The agreement covers old-age, disability, and survivor’s pensions for eligible individuals.
- Population affected: According to Canadian authorities, over 30,000 Moldovan citizens reside in Canada as of 2024.
KPMG INSIGHTS
In light of these developments, organizations may wish to review their assignment policies and payroll processes for Moldovan and Canadian employees to help maintain compliance with the new agreement. It may be advisable to communicate the changes to affected employees and update cross-border assignment cost projections to reflect potential reductions in social security contributions.
If assignees and/or their programme managers have any questions or concerns about the scope of the update, its application and potential impacts, and appropriate next steps, they should consult with their qualified professional or a member of the GMS team with KPMG in Moldova (see the Contacts section).
ENDNOTE:
1 Ministerul Justiției (in Romanian), “DP649/2026,” published on 15 June 2026.
Contacts
Disclaimer
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Moldova.
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