More and more Moldovans are buying homes through mortgage loans.

Data published by the National Bank of Moldova shows that the total volume of mortgage loans has almost tripled in the last five years, and the municipality of Chisinau remains the main center of this activity.

Mortgage portfolio tripled in the last five years

At the beginning of 2021, the total mortgage portfolio in the Republic of Moldova was approximately 8.3 billion lei. At the end of the first quarter of 2026, it reached 27.4 billion lei.

This evolution reflects both the increase in incomes of the population and the increasing desire of families to become homeowners. At the same time, banks have expanded the financing offer for individuals, facilitating access to housing loans.

However, the first months of 2026 indicate a slight slowdown in the growth rate, a phenomenon explained by the increase in real estate prices and the reduction in the accessibility of housing for some buyers.

Apartments are the favorites of buyers

The overwhelming majority of mortgage loans are contracted for the purchase of apartments. This is not surprising, given that apartments represent the dominant segment of the residential market, especially in the municipality of Chisinau.

Currently, the average value of a mortgage loan has reached almost 1.4 million lei, which reflects both the increase in housing prices and the orientation of buyers towards more modern and better located properties.

Moldovans choose loans for increasingly longer terms

An interesting trend observed in recent years is the extension of the mortgage repayment period.

The average loan term has reached 266 months, or approximately 22 years, compared to 220 months in 2023.

This development is a direct consequence of the increase in prices on the real estate market. In order to keep monthly installments at a bearable level, buyers choose to distribute their financial obligations over longer periods.

Although this strategy reduces the monthly pressure on the family budget, it also leads to higher total costs of long-term financing.

Chisinau dominates the mortgage market

National Bank data shows that Chisinau concentrates most of the mortgage activity in the country.

Of the over 31,000 mortgage loans granted for housing between 2022 and the first quarter of 2026, almost 77% were used to purchase properties located in the capital. Balti municipality and Ialoveni, Orhei and Ungheni districts follow at a great distance.

This concentration is natural, since Chisinau is the main economic center of the country, attracting investments, jobs and population from all regions of the Republic of Moldova.

Young people are the main beneficiaries of loans

Another important aspect is the profile of mortgage loan beneficiaries. Over half of the borrowers are under 35 years of age.

This statistic demonstrates that the younger generations are increasingly choosing to invest in their own homes from the first years of their professional careers, taking advantage of available financing programs and growing incomes.

Is there a risk of over-indebtedness?

According to the National Bank of Moldova, there are currently no significant systemic risks of over-indebtedness in the mortgage lending sector.

Financial institutions continue to apply prudent lending criteria, carefully analyzing the repayment capacity of applicants before granting loans.

This approach contributes to maintaining the stability of the banking system and preventing the accumulation of excessive risks in the residential market.

What do these figures mean for the real estate market?

The continuous growth of mortgage lending confirms that the demand for housing remains high, especially in Chisinau. At the same time, the increase in the average value of loans and the extension of repayment terms show that housing affordability is becoming an increasing challenge for buyers.

Both real estate developers, investors and real estate agents should closely monitor these trends. The evolution of mortgage lending is one of the most important indicators of the health of the residential market and provides valuable clues about the direction in which the real estate market in the Republic of Moldova is heading.

P.S. Acces Imobil recommends mortgage loans offered by maib, our strategic partner, due to the advantageous conditions, transparency and simple financing process. Thus, our clients benefit from professional support both in choosing a home and in obtaining a loan.

Author: 

Victor Cernomorcenco, Real Estate Specialist at Acces Imobil.

Important! Materials from the page www.accesimobil.md can be taken up to a maximum of 200 characters with source indication through a hyperlink.