Employment contracts, leave and resignation in Moldova

The open-ended employment contract between an employer and an employee in Moldova, with the terms art. 49 of the Moldovan Labour Code requires in 2026: the parties with their IDNO and IDNP, the position, the start date, probation (at most six months), the place of work and duties, working time, at least 28 calendar days' leave, the salary in lei in figures and words, compensation, notice periods, training, and social and health insurance. It is signed in two copies, one for each party.

The fixed-term employment contract between an employer and an employee in Moldova, with the same art. 49 terms as an open-ended one and what sets it apart: the date or event on which it ends, within five years of the start (art. 54 of the Moldovan Labour Code), the ground from the closed list of art. 55 — such as replacing an absent employee, seasonal work or a specific task — and the shorter probation of art. 61. It is signed in two copies, one for each party.

The agreement by which an employer and an employee in Moldova end an employment contract by mutual consent, on the date they choose, without notice (art. 82¹ of the Moldovan Labour Code). It fixes the last working day, payment of every sum due on the day of release, including compensation for untaken leave (art. 143), the documents the employee receives and, optionally, an agreed payment in lei, in figures and in words. Both parties sign it, in two copies.

The written request by which an employee in Moldova resigns, under the Moldovan Labour Code. A resignation needs neither the employer's consent nor a reason: notice is 14 calendar days, counted from the day after the request is registered, or one month for the head of the unit, the deputies and the chief accountant (art. 85). The letter can also propose ending earlier by written agreement. It is handed in for registration or sent by registered post with acknowledgement of receipt.

The request by which an employee in Moldova asks the employer for paternity leave — up to 15 calendar days for each child, within 12 months of the birth (art. 124¹ of the Moldovan Labour Code, as amended by Law no. 156/2025) — or for partially paid childcare leave until the child turns three, which a parent, a grandparent, another relative caring for the child or the guardian may take (art. 124). A copy of the birth certificate goes with it; it is handed to the employer for registration.

The request by which an employee in Moldova asks the employer for leave without pay, for the dates and the reason given. The Moldovan Labour Code allows unpaid leave of up to 120 calendar days, for family or other good reasons, on the employee's written request and with the employer's consent (art. 120). It is handed to the employer for registration, and the leave is granted by order.

The petition by which an employee or former employee reports an employer's breaches to Moldova's State Labour Inspectorate — unpaid wages, work without a written contract, overtime, refused leave, safety at work — and asks for an inspection and a written answer. It carries what the Administrative Code requires: the petitioner's name and address, the object and reasons, and a signature; an anonymous petition is not examined. The free route is the lucrezlegal.md platform; on paper it is handed in or sent by registered post, and by e-mail only with a qualified electronic signature.

The written demand by which an employee or former employee asks an employer in Moldova for wages and other sums not paid on time, month by month, by a set date. It cites the extra 0.3% a day the Moldovan Labour Code adds when the delay is the employer's fault (art. 330) and the three years a court claim has (art. 355). It is handed in for registration or sent by registered post with acknowledgement of receipt, and proves that payment was asked for before a petition to the State Labour Inspectorate.

The request by which an employee in Moldova asks for paid annual leave for the dates chosen, under the leave schedule or outside it with the employer's agreement. Leave is at least 28 calendar days, public holidays not counted (art. 113 of the Moldovan Labour Code); it can be split on written request if one part is at least 14 calendar days, and holiday pay is due at least three calendar days before the leave starts (art. 117). It is handed to the employer for registration.