Religion in Moldova

The 2024 census counted 2,409,200 people. Reporting religion was voluntary, and 99.2% of the population provided an answer. Among the recorded affiliations, 94.3% identified as Orthodox, 1.1% as Baptist, 0.7% as Jehovah's Witnesses, 0.5% as Pentecostal, 0.3% as Adventist, 0.3% as Evangelical Christian, 0.2% as Old Believer or Staroveri, 0.1% as Muslim and 0.1% as Catholic. The census recorded 1.5% without a religious affiliation, including 0.8% without religion and 0.6% atheist. Orthodox Christians form more than half of the population in 892 of 897 territorial-administrative units and more than 90% in 811 of them. The Orthodox share ranges from 80.5% in Briceni to 98.7% in Șoldănești. Baptist communities are especially represented in Cahul, Sîngerei and Ștefan Vodă; Jehovah's Witnesses and Pentecostal communities have notable shares in parts of Briceni and Edineț. Islam and other religions have stronger urban visibility, especially in Chișinău. The main local terms include cult religios for a religious organisation, comunitate religioasă for a religious community and deservent al cultului religios for a religious minister or officiant. Moldova has two major Orthodox jurisdictions, the Biserica Ortodoxă din Moldova and the Mitropolia Basarabiei. Census figures describe religious affiliation, not formal membership in one of these institutions. The relevant community can clarify the applicable calendar, language, local congregation, minister and ceremony. Article 31 of the Constitution protects freedom of conscience and religion. Law 125/2007 protects joining or not joining a religious community, changing affiliation and practising alone or with others, in public or private. Religious organisations are autonomous and separate from the state. They must respect the law, the rights of other people, public order and health, and may not promote religious hatred or hostility. The law refers to the Orthodox Church of Moldova as having special historical and cultural significance, but state recognition does not decide whether a religious belief is true. A religious community can seek registration through the Agenția Servicii Publice (ASP), which also handles the relevant religious-organisation register. A community generally needs at least 10 founders who are natural persons, Moldovan citizens resident in Moldova, together with a statute, founding minutes, identity copies, consent from the relevant central cult, proof of premises and beneficial-owner information. Registration is free and normally takes 15 calendar days. Registration of a religious cult requires at least 100 Moldovan citizens and additional information about its beliefs. A religious institution submits founding documents and the relevant cult's consent. Personal worship without registration should not be confused with a registered organisation that has legal personality. The Ministry of Justice can issue warnings and apply to the courts for suspension or termination; courts decide such proceedings. Worship may take place in religious premises, cemeteries, homes or public places under local arrangements. Religious assistance in orphanages, children's centres, boarding schools, care homes, prisons, military, medical, educational and police institutions requires the affected person's request and the administration's consent. Baptism, marriage ceremonies and funerals are arranged locally by the relevant community. There is no single state tariff for ritual services or donations, so fees should be clarified with the community beforehand. State schools are secular. Religion is an elective subject in grades 1 to 9. The Ministry of Education and Research maintains curricula for Religia pentru Cultul Ortodox and for teaching Christianity in the Evangelical and Adventist traditions. No general compulsory confessional instruction is established in the reviewed framework. Theological education is provided through religious educational institutions and the relevant cults. Public holidays include January 7 and 8 for Christmas according to the old calendar, the first and second Easter days according to the applicable church calendar, the Monday one week after Easter known as Paștele Blajinilor, and December 25 for Christmas according to the new calendar. A local Hram, meaning a local religious patronal celebration, can be designated as a work-free day by the local council. Other religious holidays do not have a nationwide work-free status in the reviewed rules. A cult may use its members' mother tongue or a traditional liturgical language. Official communication with the state uses the state language, while Romanian, Russian, Gagauz or another language may be used in practice depending on the community. The Equality Council receives discrimination complaints, the Avocatul Poporului handles human-rights complaints, and courts address judicial disputes. Alternative civilian service under Law 156/2007 is available as a civilian substitute on religious or pacifist grounds. Eligible registered cults or their components may receive 2% tax allocations if they have operated for at least one year, perform social, moral, cultural or charitable work and have no tax debts; applications are submitted to the ASP from June 1 to September 30. Interconfessional dialogue is supported through equality and inclusion work, while government discussions in 2025 with Metropolitans Vladimir and Petru addressed religious contributions to social and educational work and cooperation against domestic violence.