How to Create an Online Store in Moldova and Romania in 2026

Want to sell products online in Moldova or Romania? E-commerce is booming in Eastern Europe, and 2026 is the perfect time to launch your online store. This guide covers everything you need to know.

Why Start an Online Store Now?

The e-commerce market in Moldova and Romania is growing rapidly:

• Romania: E-commerce reached €7.5 billion in 2025, with 15% annual growth
• Moldova: Online shopping increased by 40% since 2023
• Mobile commerce: 65% of purchases now happen on smartphones
• Cross-border: Romanian and Moldovan consumers buy from both markets

Types of E-commerce Websites

1. Simple Product Catalog (€500-1,500)

Best for small businesses with 10-50 products:

• Product listings with photos and descriptions
• Contact form or WhatsApp ordering
• No online payment (cash on delivery)

2. Full E-commerce Store (€1,500-5,000)

For serious online retail:

• Shopping cart and checkout
• Online payment integration
• Inventory management
• Order tracking
• Customer accounts

3. Marketplace Platform (€5,000-15,000)

For multiple vendors:

• Vendor registration and management
• Commission system
• Advanced search and filters
• Rating and review system

Best E-commerce Platforms for Moldova and Romania

| Platform | Pros | Cons | Best For | |----------|------|------|----------| | Custom Development | Full control, unique design | Higher initial cost | Growing businesses | | WooCommerce | Flexible, many plugins | Requires maintenance | Small-medium stores | | Shopify | Easy to use | Monthly fees, limited customization | Beginners | | OpenCart | Free, good for Moldova | Outdated design options | Budget stores |

Our Recommendation

For Moldova and Romania markets, we recommend custom development or WooCommerce because:

• Full integration with local payment systems
• Romanian and Russian language support
• Local hosting for faster loading
• No monthly platform fees

Payment Integration in Moldova and Romania

Moldova Payment Options

• MAIB e-commerce — most popular, supports Visa/Mastercard
• Moldindconbank — reliable, good rates
• PAYNET — local alternative payments
• Cash on delivery — still preferred by 40% of Moldovans

Romania Payment Options

• Netopia Payments — market leader
• PayU Romania — international, reliable
• Stripe — available since 2024
• Ramburs (COD) — cash on delivery

Payment Gateway Costs

| Provider | Setup Fee | Transaction Fee | |----------|-----------|-----------------| | MAIB (Moldova) | Free | 2.5-3% | | Netopia (Romania) | €50-100 | 1.5-2.5% | | PayU | Free | 2-3% | | Stripe | Free | 1.4% + €0.25 |

Shipping and Delivery Solutions

Moldova

• Poșta Moldovei — cheapest, nationwide
• Nova Poshta Moldova — fast, tracking included
• Same-day delivery — available in Chișinău

Romania

• FAN Courier — most popular
• Cargus — competitive prices
• Sameday — excellent for easybox lockers
• DPD Romania — good for heavy items

Essential Features for Your Online Store

1. Mobile-first design — 65% of users shop on phones
2. Fast loading — under 3 seconds
3. SSL certificate — required for payments
4. Multiple languages — Romanian, Russian, English
5. Product search — with filters
6. Customer reviews — builds trust
7. Wishlist — increases return visits
8. Abandoned cart recovery — boosts sales by 15-20%

Legal Requirements

Moldova

• Business registration (SRL or II)
• Fiscal receipt requirements
• Consumer protection compliance
• Privacy policy (GDPR-like requirements)

Romania

• CUI registration
• ANPC compliance
• GDPR compliance
• Electronic invoicing (from 2024)

How Much Does an Online Store Cost in Moldova and Romania?

Development Costs

| Type | Moldova | Romania | |------|---------|---------| | Simple catalog | €500-1,000 | €800-1,500 | | Full e-commerce | €1,500-3,500 | €2,500-5,000 | | Custom marketplace | €5,000-10,000 | €8,000-15,000 |

Monthly Operating Costs

| Item | Cost | |------|------| | Hosting | €10-50/month | | Domain | €10-30/year | | SSL Certificate | Free (Let's Encrypt) | | Payment gateway | % per transaction | | Maintenance | €50-200/month |

Timeline: How Long to Build an Online Store?

• Simple catalog: 1-2 weeks
• Full e-commerce: 3-6 weeks
• Custom marketplace: 2-4 months

Free Online Store Offer

At Quant-Apps, we offer FREE e-commerce website development for businesses in Moldova and Romania. You pay only for hosting and maintenance.

What's included FREE:

• Custom design for your brand
• Product catalog (up to 100 products)
• Mobile-responsive layout
• Basic SEO optimization
• Payment integration assistance
• 1 year free hosting

Getting Started

Ready to launch your online store? Here's how to start:

1. Contact us for a free consultation
2. Share your product catalog and business goals
3. Receive a custom proposal within 24 hours
4. Launch your store in 2-4 weeks

Don't miss the e-commerce boom in Moldova and Romania. Start selling online today!

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Quant-Apps specializes in e-commerce development for businesses in Moldova and Romania. Contact us at support@quant-apps.com or call +373 60 700 302.