In short
From January to early September 2026, 6,039 new companies were registered in Moldova and 3,796 were struck off. It is the first year since 2022 in which clearly more companies open than close.
The figures come from the state register, which we keep up to date on Datero.md. Below they are broken down by month, legal form, industry and locality.
Month by month
| Month 2026 | Companies opened | Companies struck off |
|---|---|---|
| January | 613 | 502 |
| February | 862 | 942 |
| March | 901 | 749 |
| April | 624 | 323 |
| May | 706 | 464 |
| June | 696 | 317 |
| July | 718 | 277 |
| August | 776 | 192 |
| September (to the 10th) | 143 | 30 |
March was the busiest month, with 901 registrations. January, as every year, was slow: people get back to business only after the holidays. February is the only month of 2026 in which strike-offs outnumbered registrations.
Compared with 2025 and 2024
We took the same eight months, January to August, from the last three years:
| Period | Companies opened | Companies struck off | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan-Aug 2024 | 5,843 | 7,322 | -1,479 |
| Jan-Aug 2025 | 6,713 | 7,288 | -575 |
| Jan-Aug 2026 | 5,896 | 3,766 | +2,130 |
Two things stand out. Registrations are down 12% from 2025, which was a record year, but remain at the 2024 level. Strike-offs, on the other hand, have halved.
One caveat is needed here. A company's removal reaches the public register with a delay, sometimes of several months, so the figures for summer 2026 will still rise. Even if June to August double retroactively, 2026 remains a year with a positive balance. The reason is simple: the large register clean-up campaigns that inflated strike-offs in 2019-2020 and in 2024 are over. We explained what a strike-off means and why it is not the same as bankruptcy in the guide to liquidated companies.
The yearly picture, 2010-2026
| Year | Companies opened | Companies struck off |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 6,692 | 3,103 |
| 2015 | 6,651 | 3,885 |
| 2019 | 6,773 | 10,151 |
| 2020 | 6,503 | 11,843 |
| 2021 | 7,425 | 6,556 |
| 2022 | 6,933 | 4,866 |
| 2023 | 7,713 | 8,605 |
| 2024 | 8,750 | 11,191 |
| 2025 | 9,780 | 10,242 |
| 2026 (to 10 Sept.) | 6,039 | 3,796 |
The pace of new registrations has grown steadily since 2022: 6,900, then 7,700, 8,750 and 9,780 in 2025. If the 2026 pace holds, the year ends with 8,500-9,000 new companies. The overall figures on how many companies exist in the country, active and struck off, are in the dedicated article.
What gets opened: SRLs, almost everywhere
Of the 6,039 new companies in 2026, 5,248 are SRLs (limited liability companies). That is 87%.
| Legal form | New companies in 2026 | Share |
|---|---|---|
| SRL | 5,248 | 87% |
| Sole proprietorship | 471 | 8% |
| Peasant farm | 173 | 3% |
| Other forms of association | 108 | 2% |
| Branches of foreign companies | 14 | <1% |
The sole proprietorship, the most common form 15 years ago, has become a niche option. The explanation is practical: an SRL can be opened with 1 leu of capital and the founder's liability is limited. The steps are in the guide to registering an SRL.
In which industries
We took the main activity declared at registration. Custom software development leads by a wide margin, a sign that the IT Park regime remains the strongest reason to open a company in Moldova.
| Main activity (CAEM) | New companies in 2026 |
|---|---|
| 62.01 Custom software | 392 |
| 41.20 Building construction | 185 |
| 47.11 Grocery stores | 177 |
| 49.41 Road freight transport | 146 |
| 56.10 Restaurants | 143 |
| 70.22 Business consulting | 140 |
| 47.91 Online retail | 137 |
| 45.20 Car repair | 132 |
| 01.11 Cereal growing | 129 |
| 96.02 Hairdressing and beauty | 117 |
| 68.32 Property management | 111 |
| 69.20 Accounting and audit | 99 |
| 45.11 Car sales | 93 |
| 73.11 Advertising agencies | 89 |
If you want to understand how these codes are read and how to choose one for your company, we have a complete guide to CAEM.
Where they open
Almost half of the new companies are based in Chisinau. The capital's five sectors account for 2,787 registrations, and if we add Durlesti and Codru, which belong to the municipality, the share reaches 49%.
| Locality | New companies in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Chisinau, Riscani sector | 631 |
| Chisinau, Centru sector | 625 |
| Chisinau, Buiucani sector | 577 |
| Chisinau, Botanica sector | 541 |
| Chisinau, Ciocana sector | 413 |
| Balti | 198 |
| Durlesti | 124 |
| Comrat | 71 |
| Orhei | 71 |
| Ialoveni | 67 |
| Codru | 67 |
Balti, the country's second city, produces three times fewer companies than a single sector of Chisinau.
Who closes
The companies struck off in 2026 are, for the most part, not failed start-ups. The median age of a company removed this year is 13 years, and 1,625 of the 3,796, or 43%, had been registered before 2010. The register is being cleared of old companies, many of them inactive for years.
When you check a partner, the status in the register matters more than the company's age. A company registered in 2005 may have been struck off months ago. Look the company up on Datero.md and see its current status, founders and financial data. For companies with debts to the social insurance budget there is also the list of CNAS debtors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many companies opened in Moldova in 2026?
Up to 10 September 2026, 6,039 new companies. The pace is roughly 700-900 registrations a month, with a peak in March.
How many companies closed in 2026?
3,796 companies were struck off by 10 September. The figure will still grow, because strike-offs reach the public register with a delay.
Are more companies opening than closing?
Yes, in 2026 they are. For January to August the difference is +2,130 in favour of new companies. In 2024 and 2025 the balance was negative.
Which legal form do people choose when opening a company?
The SRL, in 87% of cases. Sole proprietorships have fallen to 8%, peasant farms to 3%.
In which industry are the most companies opened?
Custom software (CAEM code 62.01), with 392 new companies in 2026. Construction, grocery stores and freight transport follow.
Where does this data come from?
From the state register of the Republic of Moldova, synchronised on Datero.md. The figures reflect the situation on 10 September 2026 and are updated as new registrations and strike-offs appear.
Check any new company
Companies registered this year appear on Datero.md a few days after registration, with founders, administrator and declared activities.