Moldova expands maternity benefits to independent workers and unmarried mothers

The Moldovan Parliament approved, in a first reading, a law that allows independent workers to opt into the full social‑security package—including maternity, paternity, child‑raising and adoption allowances—by paying a higher contribution. The measure, drafted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, requires a declaration to the National Social Insurance House and a fixed annual fee set in the state insurance budget law. It also extends maternity benefits to the spouses of independent workers.

In addition, the draft law provides that unmarried and otherwise uninsured women can receive maternity allowance calculated on the insured income of the child’s father. In 2024, about 50,879 independent workers were registered in Moldova, currently receiving only old‑age pensions and death benefits.