CAEM codes are the codes of the Classification of Economic Activities of Moldova (Clasificatorul Activităților din Economia Moldovei) that an LLC (SRL) uses to declare its business activities at registration. In 2026 the version in use is CAEM-2 (CAEM Rev. 2): pick one CAEM code for your main activity and a few codes for secondary activities, and they go into the registration Application and the Articles of Association. The codes do not bar you from other lawful activities, but they matter for licences, for Moldova IT Park residency and for your bank, so they are worth choosing carefully.
1. What CAEM is and which revision applies in 2026
CAEM is Moldova’s national statistical classification of economic activities, harmonised with the EU’s NACE nomenclature. The version in force, CAEM-2, was approved by Order No. 28 of the National Bureau of Statistics of 7 May 2019 and follows the NACE Rev. 2 codes down to class level (four digits).
The structure is hierarchical: section (letter), division (two digits), group (three digits) and class (four digits). For example, 62.01 “Computer programming activities (custom software)” belongs to section J “Information and communication”. Registration uses the class level: 615 codes in total.
Watch out for 2027: in 2026 the National Bureau of Statistics approved CAEM Rev. 2.1, aligned with NACE Rev. 2.1, which applies from 1 January 2027 and replaces CAEM-2. The new version has 22 sections and 651 classes, and some codes change. In NACE Rev. 2.1, for instance, programming (formerly 62.01) becomes 62.10, and 62.02 and 62.03 merge into 62.20. Until then, the ASP instructions for the registration application refer to CAEM-2.
2. Where CAEM codes appear in the LLC documents
One important detail: the model Articles state that the company may carry out any profit-making activity not prohibited by law, and the Civil Code (Art. 176(2)) says the same. ASP confirms that the activities declared at registration are declaratory: an LLC may also carry out other lawful activities even if they are not listed in its constitutive document. The exception is activities for which the law requires a licence or another permit.
3. Main activity vs. secondary activities
The main activity is the one expected to bring in the largest share of revenue. In statistics it is determined by its share of value added; for a new LLC, your revenue forecast for the first years is a good enough guide.
Secondary activities are those you realistically intend to carry out. A few practical rules:
In the SRLRapid questionnaire, the first code you add automatically becomes the main activity (marked ★), and you can move the mark to another code before the documents are generated.
4. Licensed and regulated activities
Activities subject to licensing are listed exhaustively in the Nomenclature of Permits (Annex 1 to Law No. 160/2011 on the regulation of business activity through authorisation). The licence is obtained after the LLC is registered.
Licences issued by the Public Services Agency include, for example:
Other fields, such as energy or financial markets, are authorised by sector regulators. The ASP instructions specify that for licensed activities the application states the name of the activity as worded in the law. Some fields (banking, insurance, security services, etc.) also need an approval obtained before registration, a topic covered in our guide on prior approval and authorisation.
5. How CAEM codes affect taxes
Your basic tax regime is not chosen through the CAEM code; it depends mainly on your VAT status. LLCs not registered for VAT generally pay the tax on income from operating activity at 4% of revenue, while VAT payers pay 12% income tax on profit. The mandatory VAT registration threshold rose to MDL 1.5 million from 1 January 2026 and to MDL 1.7 million from 1 March 2026, measured over any 12 consecutive months.
The CAEM code matters directly in a few cases:
6. How to add or change CAEM codes after registration
To register a change of activities, you file with ASP:
Since activities are declaratory, a change is not required for every new activity. It is worth doing before applying for IT Park residency, before applying for a licence, when your main activity changes, or when your bank asks for it.
7. Sample CAEM codes by type of business
Frequently asked questions
Can I carry out an activity that is not in the Articles?
Yes. Under Art. 176(2) of the Civil Code and ASP practice, an LLC may carry out any activity not prohibited by law. The exception is licensed activities and those requiring another permit.
What happens to my codes when CAEM Rev. 2.1 takes effect?
CAEM Rev. 2.1 applies from 1 January 2027. Until then, registration documents are completed with CAEM-2. For the transition of existing companies to the new codes, follow ASP and National Bureau of Statistics guidance.
Do I need an IT code in the Articles to join IT Park?
Applicants declare their activities on their own responsibility in the residency application, and the park checks the actual activity. Still, it is simpler if the eligible IT activity is recorded as the main activity in the State Register from the start.
With SRLRapid you select CAEM-2 codes right in the questionnaire, searching by code or by keywords in Romanian and Russian, mark the main activity, and the chosen codes are automatically written into the Articles of Association (Statutul) and the ASP registration Application, together with the other forms filled in from a single questionnaire.
Note: this guide is for information only and reflects the law and practice at the date of publication. SRLRapid prepares the documents but does not replace legal or tax advice and does not file on the founders’ behalf.
