Representative Office Registration in Moldova
A representative office in Moldova lets a foreign company establish a legal presence without incorporating a separate entity. No share capital. No local shareholders. The parent company remains fully in control and fully liable. BULR handles the complete foreign representative office registration in Moldova with the ASP.
BULR is a private legal and business advisory firm. We do not represent any government authority or issue official government documents.
A legal presence in Moldova — without a subsidiary
Under Moldovan law, a representative office is not a legal entity. It operates on behalf of the parent company, within the limits set by the resolution establishing it. A representative office in Moldova cannot conduct commercial activity or generate local revenue — it exists to represent, promote, and support the parent company’s interests in the Moldovan market.
For foreign companies that want a registered presence in Moldova — a local address, a director, and the ability to operate formally — without the obligations of a full subsidiary, a representative office in Moldova is the appropriate structure. Faster to register, lighter to maintain, no minimum capital. When commercial activity is needed, a subsidiary or branch is the right choice. BULR advises on which structure fits before anything is filed.
Registering your representative office in Moldova
Four stages — from structure assessment to operational representative office. Fully manageable remotely.
Structure & Scope
We assess your needs: the scope of activities, who will act as director, and whether a representative office is the right structure — or whether a branch or subsidiary better serves your purposes. The right advice before filing saves restructuring later.
Document Preparation
We prepare the complete package: parent company constitutive documents apostilled and translated into Romanian, the resolution establishing the representative office, director appointment, and the registration application. Prepared to ASP requirements — nothing returned for correction.
Asp Submission & Certificate
Your package is submitted to the Agency of Public Services. We handle all in-person steps, track the application, and respond to any ASP queries. You receive the registration certificate and IDNO number confirming legal establishment in Moldova.
Post-Registration
Local accounting setup, Personal Data Operator registration where applicable, and ongoing legal support. The same team handles everything after the certificate arrives — no handoffs.
We Work With
the Best
Free consultation — let's start today
When a representative office fits the business model — in practice
The decision between a representative office and a subsidiary turns on one question: whether the Moldovan entity will conduct commercial activity directly. Where it will not, BULR provides the leaner route — registration, compliance, and ongoing support under one team.
International companies testing the Moldovan market
establishing a presence for market research, counterparty liaison, and brand promotion before committing to a full subsidiary.
Multinationals with existing distribution networks
where the parent needs a formal local representative to supervise partners and ensure compliance with group standards, without conducting direct sales.
Foreign companies with regional operations
managing Moldova as part of a broader CIS or Eastern European structure, where a lightweight local presence is sufficient.
Groups considering a full subsidiary later
using a representative office as the initial step, with conversion or parallel incorporation handled by the same team when the time comes.
What you get when you choose right
Structure Advice Before Filing
Representative office or subsidiary — we advise before you file. The right structure at the start avoids a costly restructuring when your needs change.
Confirmed Track Record
BULR has registered representative offices for Philip Morris, Western NIS Enterprise Fund, D’Arcy, and Murfitts Transport Ltd. We know what the ASP requires and prepare documents that pass first time.
One Firm Beyond Registration
Accounting, legal advisory, and compliance after registration — all through the same firm. No coordinating between separate providers.
Fully Remote Possible
Remote registration via Power of Attorney and apostilled documents. You don’t need to travel to Moldova to establish your representative office.
What people ask before they register
What is the difference between a representative office, a branch, and a subsidiary in Moldova?
Foreign representative office registration in Moldova follows a different path from branch or subsidiary setup — and the distinction matters. A representative office is not a legal entity and cannot conduct commercial activity; it is used for market research, marketing, and liaison. A branch (filială) can conduct commercial activity but is not a separate legal entity; the parent company is fully liable. A subsidiary (LLC/SRL or JSC/SA) is a fully independent legal entity with its own liability. We advise on which structure fits your situation before anything is filed.
What documents does the parent company need to provide?
The core documents are: the parent company's constitutive documents apostilled and certified translated into Romanian, an extract from the home country commercial register, a resolution establishing the representative office and appointing its director, and the registration application. We prepare a country-specific checklist at the start of your engagement.
Can a foreign national serve as director of the representative office?
Yes. A foreign citizen can serve as director of a representative office in Moldova. There is no requirement for a Moldovan national to hold the directorship. The director manages the representative office and represents the parent company within the limits of the powers granted by the parent's resolution.
Can the representative office be registered remotely?
Yes. Registration is handled with the Agency of Public Services via submitted documentation. BULR prepares all documents and submits the package on your behalf via Power of Attorney — the parent company's authorised representative never needs to be physically present in Moldova for the registration process.