On 1st September 2025, the Agreement and the Administrative Arrangement between the Italian Republic and the Republic of Moldova on social security entered into force. Their main purpose is to coordinate the social security legislation of the two Contracting States, in order to ensure equal treatment and the portability of social security rights.
The various aspects concerning the interaction between the two legal systems, as well as the operational procedures laid down by the Arrangement, were outlined in INPS Circular No. 131 of 30 September 2025.
With regard to the scope of application (Article 2 of the Agreement), the legislations of the two States are distinguished. In particular, as far as Italy is concerned, the Agreement applies to:
- Invalidity, old-age and survivors’ benefits provided under the General Compulsory Insurance Scheme, the special schemes for self-employed workers, the so-called Gestione separata, and the exclusive and substitute schemes of the general compulsory insurance system established for certain categories of workers and administered by INPS. Accordingly, the Agreement also applies to individuals registered under the so –called Gestione Pubblica, in line with the provisions contained in the social security agreements with Israel, Turkey and Albania (see respectively Circulars No. 196 of 2 December 2015, No. 168 of 9 October 2015, and No. 106 of 1 July 2025);
- annuities and other cash benefits payable in respect of occupational accidents or occupational diseases, administered by the National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL).
As regards Moldovan legislation, the Agreement applies to:
- Old-age pensions;
- Disability pensions resulting from general illness;
- Survivors’ pensions.
With respect to the persons covered by the Agreement, pursuant to Article 3, it applies to “persons who are or have been subject to the legislation of one or both States, as well as to their family members and survivors, and to refugees and stateless persons, together with their family members and survivors.”
Furthermore, Article 4 clarifies that, unless otherwise provided by the Agreement, the persons to whom it applies shall enjoy the same benefits and shall be subject to the same obligations under the legislation of each Contracting State as the nationals of that State — thereby establishing the principle of equal treatment.
Particularly important is the provision concerning the international totalisation of insurance periods, which, pursuant to Articles 9–11, is permitted only where entitlement to benefits cannot be established solely on the basis of the periods completed under the legislation of one of the two States.
The subsequent provisions of the Agreement set out technical details to be taken into account when applying these rules to specific cases.
For further information, reference should be made to the INPS Circular on the subject, as well as to the dedicated service provided by A&P Firm.