What does “migrant” actually mean?

One of the main sources of confusion is indeed the term “migrant”, often used as a synonym for “refugee” or “asylum seeker”, even though they represent different notions.

The migrant is that person who changes their country of residence, regardless of whether they do it for work, studies, family reunification or other reasons. The refugee is the person who flees because of war, persecution, or violence and benefits from international protection. The asylum seeker is the person who requests this form of protection, and their request is to be examined by the authorities.

In the Republic of Moldova, all these categories of people exist, however, they are regulated differently by national and international legislation.

Myth No. 1: “Moldova is invaded by migrants”

This is probably the most widespread narrative in recent years. Especially on social networks, messages have circulated suggesting that the authorities are preparing to bring hundreds of thousands of migrants from Africa or Asia to the Republic of Moldova.

In reality, there is no decision by the Moldovan authorities or the European Union that foresees the mass relocation of migrants to the Republic of Moldova. Organizations specialized in combating disinformation, such as the Center for Strategic Communication and Counteracting Disinformation – STRATCOM or the Stopfals! project of the Independent Press Association have published detailed analyses that show exactly how this information was invented or taken out of context.

For instance, the idea that the pro-European government is secretly bringing in 300 thousand migrants from Asia to replace the population has massively spread on Telegram and TikTok channels.

The experts from Stopfals.md have demonstrated how the figure of 300 thousand was distortedly taken from an economic broadcast on the Moldova 1 television station. The Minister of Economic Development was speaking purely theoretically about the structural labor deficit needed for Moldova’s economy to reach the productivity of the EU.

At the same time, the Republic of Moldova continues to be more of a country from which people emigrate rather than one where immigration is massive. Even in the context of the war in Ukraine, many of the refugees have used Moldova as a transit country, and those who remain benefit from a special temporary protection regime, which allows them to live legally, work and benefit from medical and educational services. According to official data, tens of thousands of people are registered in this program. The funds allocated to them come largely from the European Union, the UN Refugee Agency, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the governments of partner countries.

Myth No. 2: “Migrants get houses, money and privileges”

Another frequently encountered message is the one suggesting that people coming from other countries receive free housing, salaries or allowances larger than the citizens of the Republic of Moldova.

In reality, the legislation does not provide such benefits from the state. Individuals who apply for asylum or benefit from temporary protection can only receive the minimum necessary assistance for survival, such as temporary accommodation, access to basic medical services, and humanitarian support. These measures are provided for by international conventions on refugee protection and do not represent permanent privileges. Moreover, a large part of the support is provided by international organizations such as UN agencies or the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

In the case of foreign workers coming to the Republic of Moldova, they are employed based on individual work contracts and are paid by employers, not from state aid. Moreover, as we are talking about official incomes, taxes and duties on the salaries of foreign workers go directly to the state budget.

Myth No. 3: “The European Union forces Moldova to accept migrants”

This statement periodically appears in political discourse and in posts shared on social networks.

In reality, neither the Association Agreement with the European Union nor the accession process contain provisions that force the Republic of Moldova to accept migrants relocated from other member states.

Mai multe falsuri privind presupuse planuri ale UE de a trimite migranți în Republica Moldova au fost demontate în ultimii ani de platformele de fact-checking, Stop Fals!, PressCheck și MediaCritica.

Myth No. 4: “Migrants bring crime”

Another common stereotype often encountered is the automatic association between migration and the increase in crime.

Specialists in the field of migration draw attention – and official reports and databases from the General Inspectorate for Migration and the Ministry of Internal Affairs underline – that such a connection cannot be made in the absence of statistical data to demonstrate this. Individuals legally residing on the territory of the Republic of Moldova are subject to the same laws and are criminally liable under the same conditions as any other person.

In the case of refugees or asylum seekers, security checks and administrative procedures are mandatory before granting a legal status.

Why does Moldova need foreign workers?

In recent years, the labor shortage has led an increasing number of companies in the Republic of Moldova to recruit employees from Asian countries, such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka.

These people are not refugees nor asylum seekers. They come based on legal work permits, pay taxes and contributions, and work in fields such as construction, food industry, agriculture, logistics or HoReCa.

According to official reports issued by the National Agency for Employment, the labor force demand in the Republic of Moldova is increasing, against the backdrop of population emigration and aging. The ANOFM database consistently records a fluctuating average of 10 thousand – 12 thousand vacant jobs at the national level. Over 60% of the total jobs declared by employers are concentrated in the municipality of Chisinau, followed by Balti and Ungheni district.

This very deficit is sometimes falsely presented as a “population replacement” plan. On social networks (especially on TikTok and Telegram), clips have gone viral claiming that the government has a secret plan to bring in 300 thousand immigrants from Asia. On the same platforms, narratives are spread that claim “Moldovans are intentionally driven out of the country through high prices and poverty” so that their geographic space can be offered to foreign cultures, considered cheaper and easier to control.

Why are these narratives used?

The disinformation combat experts from the WatchDog.md Community have repeatedly drawn attention to the fact that anti-immigration narratives are a main pillar of political propaganda. The subject of migration being one of the most effective for generating fear and social polarization.

In the Republic of Moldova, narratives about migrants have consistently reappeared before elections or at key moments in the European journey. In recent years, there have been distributed falsehoods about alleged migrant camps, the relocation of refugees from EU states, the obligation of the Republic of Moldova to accept migrant quotas or the granting of special privileges to foreigners.

An analysis published by the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE) shows that disinformation about alleged privileges granted to foreigners is part of the tactics of manipulating public opinion, whose aim is to discredit the state institutions and European partnerships of the Republic of Moldova.

Conclusion

Official data and legislation show that the Republic of Moldova is not facing a wave of illegal migration, nor is there evidence that the European Union would force the authorities in Chisinau to accept relocated migrants.

To avoid misinformation, here are the institutions and organizations from which you can obtain real and verified data:

• General Inspectorate for Migration (IGM): The authority subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI) monitors and legally manages all asylum and residence processes of foreigners, providing transparent statistical data.
• Border Police of the Republic of Moldova: Publishes real-time official data on cross-border flow and the dismantling of possible illegal migration networks.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA): Through diplomatic missions, it ensures real dialogue with European partners, such as the European Commission, refuting speculation regarding alleged resettlement quotas.
• International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Moldova: Independent organization that carries out migration management projects alongside the Government and provides objective reports on the migration phenomenon.

https://youtube.com/shorts/i3TisPJ4D3U?si=Ex9dfKMwePxzWt5A

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During a press briefing, the deputy presented the conclusions of the parliamentary control regarding the impact of migration on fundamental human rights. He mentioned that emigration, declining birth rates and population aging affect the labor market, social protection systems, health and education, as well as the development of local communities.

Grigore Novac referred to the data from the National Statistics Office, according to which the population with usual residence has decreased by approximately 320 thousand people compared to 2019. At the same time, the data from the 2024 census shows that several localities have a very low number of inhabitants or are depopulated.

Among the recommendations made by the commission are the development of a national support plan for the return of diaspora citizens and the reduction of bureaucratic barriers for their reintegration. At the same time, the commission proposes the creation of a mechanism to coordinate the return process and the adoption of public policies to combat demographic decline and poverty.

Grigore Novac urged the authorities to adopt measures to improve living conditions and encourage citizens to stay or return to the country.

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The diplomatic mission advises citizens to pay attention to their personal safety and to constantly stay informed about the situation’s evolution. Also, people are urged to take into account possible disruptions to transportation and public services.

The Embassy emphasizes that individuals in Northern Ireland must adhere to the instructions of the competent authorities and avoid traveling to areas where incidents or demonstrations have been reported. In case of immediate danger or other emergency situations, citizens can call the local emergency numbers 999 or 112. For consular assistance, the diplomatic mission can be contacted at the emergency number +44 7895 805306.

Violence erupted in Belfast on the evening of June 9, after an armed African immigrant with a knife seriously injured a passerby. Hundreds of people participated in anti-immigration protests that degenerated into violent clashes with law enforcement, vehicle fires and vandalism of buildings.

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BNS notes that the population decline was more pronounced in rural areas, where the number of inhabitants decreased by 1.3%, while in urban areas, the decrease was 0.6%. The institution states that international migration continues to be the main factor influencing the reduction of the population. In 2025, the net international migration was estimated at 13 thousand people. At the same time, the natural increase remained negative, the number of deaths exceeding the number of births by approximately 10 thousand.

Statistical data shows that women continue to represent the majority of the population. At the beginning of this year, the female population was estimated at 1.263 million people, over 53% of the total, while the male population was over 1.1 million people, or about 47%.

At the same time, the process of demographic aging continues in all regions of the country. The highest proportion of elderly people is recorded in the northern region of the country, over 26% of the population. Simultaneously, the municipality of Chisinau has the highest proportion of the active population and the lowest proportion of elderly people.

The average age of the population has reached 40 years and 8 months, increasing by one month compared to the beginning of the previous year. Statisticians mention that the 35-39 age group remains the most numerous, representing about 8% of the country’s population.

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According to the economist, over half of the young NEET men say they do not work in the country because they are employed abroad. In the case of young women, about two thirds claim they are not engaged in the labor field due to domestic and care responsibilities.

The analysis also shows that 42% of young unemployed people have refused a job because of low wages. Many of them compare incomes in the Republic of Moldova with those they could earn abroad.

Among the recommendations made by the World Bank specialist are the expansion of accessible services for child and elderly care, as well as the adaptation of migration policies to capitalize on the investments and skills of the diaspora.

Furthermore, the analysis highlights the need for modernizing the educational curriculum in accordance with European Union standards, with an emphasis on STEM fields and information and communication technology.

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In a response to IPN, the General Inspectorate for Migration stated that in 2025 the number of foreign workers reached 6,167 people, over 30% more than the previous year, and in 2026 it could exceed 8,000. The structure of the countries of origin varies annually, but the main sources of labor remain the same.

Employed predominantly in construction, agriculture

According to IGM, foreign citizens are predominantly employed in construction, agriculture, manufacturing, transport, and public catering – sectors where employers face a shortage of local labor. Concurrently, companies are increasingly requesting unskilled workers in sectors such as textiles, waste recycling, courier services, or furniture production.

With the increase in the number of foreign workers, the number of detected cases of undeclared work has also increased – 296 in 2025, compared to 206 in 2024, and in the first months of 2026, 63 cases have already been identified.

IGM clarifies that, to facilitate the attraction of labor force from abroad, the authorities have introduced digital tools, including the e-migration platform, which allows online submission of applications and payment of fees. Additionally, integration centers have been established in Chisinau, Balti, and Cahul, where foreign citizens benefit from counseling, Romanian language courses, and support for sociocultural adaptation.

The recruitment and integration process

Contacted by IPN, the coordinator of international workforce development within a recruitment company, Eliza Frunză, stated that this market is still in the early stages of development, and the real results will be visible in the next 5-6 years, once the entire cycle is completed – from identifying market needs to the cultural integration of workers.

According to Eliza Frunza, the recruitment process begins with establishing the profile of the workers, including their level of experience and required skills, followed by the search and selection of candidates. The final decision belongs to the employer, and subsequently the preparation of the file for the authorities is initiated, in order to obtain the visa and the work and residence permit.

The entire process involves significant costs, mainly borne by the employer, including recruitment fees, international transportation, and administrative expenses. After obtaining the work permit, the foreign citizen can commence their activity. Their integration is ensured by the employer, together with the recruitment agency, typically offering conditions such as accommodation, transportation, and in some cases, meals.

Prospects for the labor market

In this context, the recruitment specialist mentioned that the Republic of Moldova could become more attractive to foreign labor if several essential conditions are met. This refers to reducing geopolitical uncertainty, optimizing administrative procedures, including visa and work permit processing times, as well as adapting local employers to working with international personnel.

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According to the cited source, the stability of the population number is almost entirely due to the flow of migrants, which has offset the sharp natural decline. ISTAT emphasizes that only a positive net migration can balance the aging of the population and the birth deficit.

The year 2025 was marked by a new negative record for Italian birth rates. The number of births dropped to 355 thousand, the lowest level since the unification of Italy in 1861. Meanwhile, the number of deaths remained at around 652 thousand, resulting in a negative natural balance of nearly 300 thousand people.

The demographic balance was restored through a net migration of 296 thousand people. Arrivals from abroad reached the figure of 440 thousand, while emigration fell to 144 thousand, the lowest level in the last decade. The foreign resident population in Italy increased by 188 thousand people, reaching 5.56 million.

Despite the birth rate crisis, Italy remains one of the EU countries with high longevity: a life expectancy of 81.7 years for men and 85.7 years for women.

However, ISTAT warns that, without a sustained flow of immigrants, Italy’s population will decline again, which will put pressure on the labor market and public finances and will affect economic sustainability.

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The Minister of Internal Affairs, Daniella Misail-Nichitin, stated that the law aims to strengthen security and capitalize on the economic potential of migration. “We are introducing a modern risk analysis system and risk profile, to identify individuals who may pose a threat to national security and public order”, she said.

Although more attractive conditions are created for investors and highly qualified specialists, the law maintains guarantees for the protection of the labor market, added Daniella Misail-Nichitin. “Foreigners are required to prove sufficient means of subsistence, preventing social vulnerabilities”, announced the minister.

The project also envisages reducing bureaucracy through the digitalization of procedures and the introduction of the residence card, as a single document for foreigners. According to the authorities, migration can be transformed into a strategic opportunity for growth, ensuring a predictable, safe, and prosperous environment for all citizens of the Republic of Moldova.

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The measure was implemented by the General Inspectorate for Immigration, which carried out the removal of the two foreigners under escort. According to the GII, the two were illegally on the territory of the Republic of Moldova, violating the foreigners’ residence regime.

Foreign citizens can stay in Moldova for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day interval, either on the basis of a visa or under a visa-free regime, depending on their country of origin. Exceeding this term, even by a single day, constitutes a violation of the migration regime and attracts penalties, including fines and entry bans.

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The right of residence for family reunification was granted to 3,043 individuals. Another 334 came to Moldova for work purposes, the IGM report indicates.

The official data also shows that 121 Ukrainians are registered for studies in our country, 59 have investor status and 23 are involved in volunteer activities.

In the asylum system of Moldova, 342 Ukrainian citizens are registered. Two of them have refugee status, 249 benefit from humanitarian protection and for 91 other forms of protection are applied.

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