Can my children attend public school in Moldova?

Yes, children of legal residents can attend public schools for free. Instruction is primarily in Romanian, with some schools offering Russian-language programs. Your child will likely need Romanian language support initially.

What are the best international schools in Chisinau?

QSI International School is the most established, offering an American curriculum from PreK through 12th grade. Heritage International School provides a British-style curriculum. Both have small class sizes and strong expat communities.

Is Moldova a good place to study medicine?

Moldova's medical university offers affordable medical degrees ($3,000–$4,000/year) that are recognized in many countries. The quality is decent, and clinical experience is extensive due to hospital staffing levels. Many international students come specifically for medical programs.

How easy is it to learn Romanian?

If you speak any Romance language (Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese), Romanian will feel familiar — they share 70–80% vocabulary. For English speakers with no Romance language background, expect 6–12 months of regular study to reach conversational level.

Are there English-language kindergartens?

Yes, Chisinau has several private kindergartens with English-language programs. Fees range from $200–$500/month, which is very affordable compared to Western Europe. Some international schools also offer pre-K programs.

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🇲🇩 Moldova

Education

Moldova's education system includes free public schools (taught in Romanian), several international school options in Chisinau, and a growing number of universities with English-language programs. Education costs are very low by European standards, making it an option for expat families and those seeking affordable higher education..

Free

Public School

Romanian-language

$3,000–$8,000/yr

International School

Chisinau options

$1,500–$4,000/yr

University Tuition

English programs

99.6%

Literacy Rate

Among highest in region

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏙️Chisinau 🏘️Balti

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Overview

Key Takeaways

QSI International School of Chisinau: American curriculum, PreK–12
Moldova State University: largest university, some English-language programs
Romanian is closely related to Italian, French, and Spanish — easier for Romance language speakers

International Schools

Chisinau has a small but growing number of international schools catering to the diplomatic and expat community.

QSI International School of Chisinau: American curriculum, PreK–12
Heritage International School: British-style curriculum
Orizont International Lyceum: Turkish-Moldovan, multilingual programs
Tuition: $3,000–$8,000/year (far cheaper than Western European international schools)
Class sizes tend to be small (10–20 students), offering personalized attention
Most international schools offer English-language instruction with additional Romanian

Higher Education

Moldova has several universities offering programs in Romanian, Russian, and increasingly English. Tuition is very affordable by European standards.

Moldova State University: largest university, some English-language programs
Technical University of Moldova: engineering and IT programs
ASEM (Academy of Economic Studies): business and economics
Medical University: attracts international students for affordable medical degrees
Tuition for international students: $1,500–$4,000/year
Living costs for students: $400–$600/month including shared housing

Language Learning

Learning Romanian (and optionally Russian) is highly recommended for expats planning an extended stay in Moldova.

Romanian is closely related to Italian, French, and Spanish — easier for Romance language speakers
Private Romanian tutors: $5–$15/hour in Chisinau
Language schools: Chisinau has several offering group courses for $100–$200/month
Online resources: Duolingo (Romanian), italki tutors, local Telegram groups
Russian is widely spoken and useful — especially in Balti and among older Moldovans
Many expats learn both Romanian and basic Russian for maximum integration

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