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Moldova and its
European path:
The European Union
Enlargement Package

The Republic of Moldova continues its path towards European integration through accession negotiations and reforms in various areas. This process involves aligning its legislation and institutions with European Union standards. Discover the main stages of the EU accession process and what each of them entails.

How the EU Accession Process Begins

The Republic of Moldova submitted its application to join the European Union, obtained candidate country status, and proceeded to the stage of formal accession negotiations.

What are the main steps of EU accession, and where does Moldova stand?

  • The country submits an application to the Council of the European Union.
  • The European Commission reviews the application and issues an opinion. 
  • EU member states unanimously decide to grant candidate status.
  • Once initial conditions are met, member states decide to officially open negotiations.
  • The country is negotiating by clusters and chapters and is preparing to implement EU legislation and standards.
  • The European Commission proposes a negotiation framework, which must be approved by member states before formal negotiations begin.
  • Upon completing negotiations, the Commission issues an Opinion on the country’s readiness for membership.
  • EU member states unanimously agree to conclude negotiations, with the European Parliament providing its consent.
  • All member states and the candidate country sign and ratify the accession treaty, finalizing the process.
The Republic of Moldova has already completed the stages from submitting its application for EU membership to the official launch of accession negotiations, demonstrating its strong commitment to European integration.

EU Accession Negotiations: How Do They Work and What Progress Is Being Made?

The process of joining the European Union is divided into 33 chapters, grouped into six thematic clusters. These cover areas such as justice, the functioning of institutions, the single market, the economy, agriculture, the environment and external relations. Accession negotiations assess how well a candidate country’s institutions and legislation are prepared to comply with EU rules. An important step in this process is the opening of negotiations on each cluster.

In June 2026, negotiations were opened on the “Fundamentals” cluster, followed by the “External Relations” cluster in July. On 13 October 2026, negotiations were opened on two more clusters: “Internal Market” and “Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth”. This means negotiations have been opened on four of the six thematic clusters. The next stage involves opening negotiations on the remaining clusters and continuing the reforms needed for accession.

Clusters of negotiating chapters

Explore the negotiation chapters and the progress Moldova has achieved in each area.

I – Fundamentals

Fundamentals


Open cluster

Public procurement

Chapter 5
20/50

Statistics


Chapter 18
20/50

Judiciary & fundamental rights

Chapter 23
20/50

Justice, freedom & security

Chapter 24
20/50

Financial control

Chapter 32
20/50

Public administration reform

Criteria
20/50

Functioning of democratic institutions

Criteria
*The Commission’s report does not indicate progress for this chapter.

Economic criteria


Criteria
20/50
II – Internal Market

Internal market



Open cluster

Free movement of goods

Chapter 1
30/50

Free movement of workers

Chapter 2
20/50

Right of establishment & freedom to provide services

Chapter 3
20/50

Free movement of capital

Chapter 4
30/50

Company law


Chapter 6
20/50

Intellectual property law

Chapter 7
30/50

Competition policy

Chapter 8
20/50

Financial services

Chapter 9
20/50

Consumer & health protection

Chapter 28
25/50
III – Competitiveness & inclusive growth

Competitiveness & inclusive growth


Open cluster

Digital transformation & media

Chapter 10
20/50

Taxation


Chapter 16
20/50

Economic Taxation & monetary policy

Chapter 17
20/50

Social policy & employment

Chapter 19
25/50

Enterprise & industrial policy

Chapter 20
20/50

Science & research

Chapter 25
30/50

Education & culture

Chapter 26
30/50

Customs union

Chapter 29
40/50
IV – Green agenda & sustainable connectivity

Green agenda & sustainable connectivity


Level of readiness

Transport policy

Chapter 14
25/50

Energy


Chapter 15
35/50

Trans – European networks

Chapter 21
20/50

Enviroment & climate change

Chapter 27
15/50
V – Resources, agriculture & cohesion

Resources, agriculture & cohesion


Level of readiness

Agriculture & rural development

Chapter 11
15/50

Food safety, veterinary & phytosanitary policy

Chapter 12
30/50

Fisheries & aquaculture

Chapter 13
30/50

Regional policy & coordination of structural instruments

Chapter 22
30/50

Financial & budgetary provisions

Chapter 33
15/50
VI – External relations

External relations



Open cluster

External relations


Chapter 30
30/50

Foreign, security & defence policy

Chapter 31
40/50

Negotiations begin with the “Fundamentals” cluster, which covers areas such as the judiciary, the rule of law and the functioning of institutions. This cluster remains open throughout the negotiations and is closed last. Progress in these areas influences the pace of the entire EU accession process.

What Comes Next in the EU Accession Process?

Following the opening of negotiations on four of the six thematic clusters, the next stage involves opening negotiations on the remaining clusters and continuing the reforms needed for accession. At the same time, progress in aligning national legislation with EU rules and implementing them in practice will be assessed. Each stage requires specific conditions to be met before the negotiation chapters can be provisionally closed.

Moldova Growth Plan

The European Union has approved a financial package of up to €1.9 billion for the period 2025–2027 to support economic development and bring the Republic of Moldova closer to EU membership. The Plan supports reforms, investment, job creation and Moldovan companies’ access to the EU single market. Funding is conditional on the implementation of the agreed reforms.
On 5 October 2026, the total amount made available under the Plan reached €661 million, following the European Commission’s positive assessment of the implementation of a further 18 reforms.

What benefits does the Plan bring, and what results are expected over the next 10 years? Find out how it supports investment, the economy and improvements in people’s lives.

Moldova Growth Plan

The funding covers the period 2025–2027 and supports the reforms and investments needed to develop the Republic of Moldova and advance its path towards EU membership.

What You Need to Know About EU–Moldova Relations at a Glance

The Republic of Moldova was granted EU candidate country status in 2022, and accession negotiations officially began in June 2024. In October 2026, negotiations were opened on four of the six thematic clusters, covering areas such as the rule of law, the single market, the economy and external relations.

The European Union is the Republic of Moldova’s main trading partner and supports reforms, infrastructure development, energy security and economic growth. On 5 October 2026, the European Commission released a further €157 million under the Growth Plan, following the fulfilment of 18 reforms. This brought the total amount made available under the Plan to €661 million.

The accession process continues through reforms and the alignment of national legislation with EU rules. Progress depends on the results achieved and on meeting the conditions set for each negotiation area.

Find out more about the EU support

Relations between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union have a direct impact on travel, education, the economy, energy and security. Since 2014, Moldovan citizens have been able to travel visa-free to the Schengen Area for short stays. Moldova participates in European programmes such as Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe and cooperates with the EU on civil protection and security.

In 2024, the two sides signed a Security and Defence Partnership. By 2026, support provided through the European Peace Facility had reached €317 million. At the same time, economic integration is deepening through access to the European market, easier euro payments through SEPA and lower roaming charges in the EU.

Cooperation continues alongside accession negotiations and the reforms needed to bring the country closer to European Union standards.

EU Enlargement Package

The Enlargement Package is published annually by the European Commission and outlines the progress made by countries seeking to join the European Union, the reforms implemented and the areas where further efforts are needed. It is closely linked to accession negotiations, as it shows how well each country is preparing for EU membership.

In its 2025 report, the European Commission highlighted the Republic of Moldova’s progress towards accession, including preparations for negotiations and the development of necessary reforms. It also stressed that further efforts are needed to strengthen the rule of law, combat corruption and improve the functioning of institutions.

The assessment therefore provides an overview of the progress achieved and the next steps on the country’s path towards EU membership.

Want to learn more about Moldova’s progress?

Accession to the European Union is a complex process, but each step brings the Republic of Moldova closer to integration into the European family. Stay updated with the latest developments and discover how each reform contributes to Moldova’s European future.

See the European Commission’s Report on Moldova 2025
See the European Commission’s Report on Moldova 2024