Higher taxes for HoReCa, dividends and parcels, but energy facilities. Fiscal policy for 2027, voted by Parliament: 5,1 billion lei more to the budget. What changes for Moldovans

The Republic of Moldova enters 2027 with a new fiscal architecture, which brings both higher taxes and a series of facilities for the population. The Parliament adopted in the second reading the fiscal and customs policy for next year, and among the changes with the greatest impact are the increase in VAT in HoReCa from 8% to 12%, the increase in the dividend tax from 6% to 8%, higher excise duties on tobacco and diesel, and the taxation of parcels up to 150 euros ordered from abroad. At the same time, households will benefit from VAT exemption for the first 150 kWh of electricity used monthly, and tax exemptions for individuals and dependents will increase. The authorities estimate that the entire package will bring approximately 5,1 billion lei more to the public budget.

Electricity bills. The first 150 kWh, excluding VAT

One of the changes with a direct impact on households concerns electricity. Starting with April 1, 2027, the first 150 kWh consumed monthly at each household consumption point will be exempt from VAT. The ceiling was initially set at 100 kWh, but was increased to 150 kWh following the examination of amendments before the second reading. For consumption exceeding this limit, the general tax regime will apply.

Natural gas for household consumption will also benefit from a reduced regime. For the first 150 cubic meters consumed monthly, an 8% VAT will be applied, starting with April 1, 2027.

Greater tax exemptions for the population

The tax policy also changes the amounts that can be deducted from the taxable income of individuals. The personal exemption will increase from 29.700 to 40.020 lei annually. For certain categories of citizens who benefit from the increased personal exemption, the amount will reach 46.680 lei. At the same time, the exemption for each dependent person will increase from 9.900 to 11.040 lei annually. The additional increase in these exemptions was introduced in the process of examining parliamentary amendments.

The investment income regime is also changing. The rate applied to capital gains remains at 12%, but it will be calculated on the entire taxable gain, without the 50% reduction previously applied.

Restaurants and hotels switch to 12% VAT

One of the most discussed changes concerns the HoReCa sector. Restaurants, hotels and catering services will move from a VAT rate of 8% to 12%. Even after the increase, the rate remains below the standard VAT level of 20%.

A 12% quota is also provided for a series of animal husbandry, plant breeding and horticulture products.

Instead, the 8% VAT will be maintained for several basic food products, including bread, milk, eggs and some fresh fruit and vegetables. For wheat, corn and sunflower seeds, the 8% rate will be maintained throughout 2027, after amending the initial version of the draft.

Packages up to 150 euros are no longer exempt from VAT

A change that will be felt by buyers on international platforms concerns low-value orders.

Starting November 1, 2026, parcels with a value of up to 150 euros ordered from abroad will be subject to 20% VAT. To this will be added a fixed handling fee of 12 lei for each parcel. Until now, these shipments were exempt.

The authorities argue for the change by the need to eliminate preferential tax treatment for low-value imports and by creating conditions closer to competition between traders from the Republic of Moldova and international platforms.

Cigarettes and diesel, with higher excise taxes

The fiscal policy also brings significant increases in excise duties. For tobacco products, excise duties will increase by 20% in 2027, and for most other excisable goods, by 10%.

In the case of diesel, the planned increase is 20%. Excise duties will also be introduced for nicotine-free liquids intended for electronic cigarettes, some carbonated non-alcoholic beverages containing sugar or sweeteners, energy drinks and certain pyrotechnic items.

Dividends taxed at 8%, and banks and insurers at 18%.

Starting with profits generated in 2027, the tax applied to dividends will increase from 6% to 8%.

Also for 2027, a temporary tax rate of 18% will be introduced for income from financial and insurance activities, a measure that also targets banks and insurance companies. The general income tax rate for legal entities is 12%.

In the field of gambling and lotteries, a 6% fraud tax will be established, applied to funds deposited to fund gaming accounts or the price of lottery tickets.

0,8% tax on expensive homes

The taxation of high-value real estate properties is also being changed. The threshold will be set at four million lei for residential real estate, including vacation homes.

The 0,8% rate will not be calculated on the entire value of the property, but only on the amount that exceeds the threshold of four million lei.

The state estimates additional revenues of 5,1 billion lei

Beyond the redistribution of the tax burden between different categories of taxpayers, one of the main goals of the reform is to increase budget revenues. According to official estimates, the measures included in the fiscal and customs policy for 2027 are expected to bring approximately 5,1 billion lei in additional revenue to the public budget. Of this amount, approximately 820 million lei are estimated from income tax and vice tax, 1,6 billion lei from VAT, and another 2,7 billion lei from excise duties. Most of the new provisions will enter into force on January 1, 2027. The facilities regarding household electricity and natural gas consumption will be applied starting April 1, 2027, while the new tax regime for parcels up to 150 euros will start earlier, from November 1, 2026.