Cheaper domestic holidays: the Government finalizes holiday voucher regulations
The government has finalized the procedure for issuing holiday vouchers by approving a regulation that outlines their use. Holiday vouchers are provided by employers to employees to cover the cost of tourist services within the Republic of Moldova. These vouchers are not subject to taxation.
The regulation approved at the February 18 meeting establishes that vacation vouchers can be granted to employees at both the main workplace and the workplace through accumulation. The decision is made by the employer, who must ensure that the beneficiaries are selected non-discriminatively.
"In recent years, we have had a constant increase in the number of tourists in the Republic of Moldova, but, unfortunately, the growth is based more on tourists from abroad. We also want to stimulate domestic tourism. In the summer, the concept of a vacation voucher was introduced, now we are coming up with the mechanism through which it can be used", mentioned the Minister of Culture, Cristian Jardan.
The value of the vacation voucher is up to 50% of the average monthly salary in the economy, i.e., 8,050 lei in 2026, and can be used within one year of issuance.
The procedure stipulates that the employer will conclude a contract with authorized tourist operators and guesthouses that will accept to operate with the holiday vouchers, and the employee will decide where to spend his vacation.
Holiday vouchers can cover the costs of accommodation, transportation, food, entertainment, excursions or other services. The employee must choose at least two of these, with accommodation being mandatory.
"The vouchers will be granted through authorized operators, which will be registered in a register at the National Tourism Office, and the money will be able to be used only in tourist reception structures in rural areas, which will also be accredited. Through this mechanism, we want to encourage people to spend their vacations at home as much as possible and also to encourage tourist guesthouses in rural areas", added Cristian Jardan.
The employer cannot reduce salaries or diminish the prospect of salary increases for employees who benefit from holiday vouchers.
The idea of introducing them emerged in 2018–2019, before the pandemic, inspired by the model applied in Romania. The measure was conceived as a non-financial benefit for employees in the real sector of the economy, intended to motivate them and provide them with access to holidays in the country.
According to the authorities, the Republic of Moldova has significant tourism potential, but high prices for domestic tourist services cause many citizens to opt for holidays abroad, where the offer is more varied and more affordable.
The deduction of expenses for services provided in tourist reception facilities in rural areas of the Republic of Moldova entered into force on January 1, 2026.
