Is prostitution legal in Moldova?

Illegal

Selling sex is illegal but widespread and socially acceptable.

Moldova is one of 101 countries classified “Illegal” for sex work — 46% of the 219 with data. (Also searched as prostitution.)

Source

Taken from
Wikipedia: Prostitution in Europe
Last checked
17 September 2026
How it was classified
Classified by a language model from the source text, then checked against hand-verified reference countries.

Nearby countries

Ukraine
Illegal Selling sex is explicitly stated to be illegal in Ukraine.
Romania
Decriminalized / unregulated Selling sex is not criminalized, but procuring and solicitation are punishable offenses.
Bulgaria
Legal & regulated Selling sex is legal, but organized forms like brothels and procuring are prohibited.
Serbia
Illegal Prostitution is a criminal offense in Serbia, punishable by up to 30 days in prison.
Hungary
Legal & regulated Selling sex is legal and regulated, requiring taxes and legal documentation.
Belarus
Illegal Selling sex is an administrative offense, while running a brothel is a criminal offense.

Other laws in Moldova

Same-Sex Marriage
Not recognized
Same-Sex Activity
Legal
Age of Consent
16–17
Pornography
Illegal
Same-Sex Adoption
Not permitted
Incest Laws
Criminal offense
Marriage Age
18+

Every law in Moldova → · Where is sex work legal? →

A visual reference compiled from Wikipedia’s law-by-country articles, not legal advice. Laws change and summaries simplify — check a primary source before relying on anything here.