Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
[MD1] National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova (Statistica Moldovei)
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Investment and Construction Statistics Division
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
str. Grenoble 106, MD-2019, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
18 April 2026
2.2. Metadata last posted
18 April 2026
2.3. Metadata last update
18 April 2026
3.1. Data description
Building permits statistics provide information on the number of building permits issued for residential and non-residential buildings, as well as the total floor area authorised for construction in the Republic of Moldova. The statistics are compiled on the basis of the statistical survey on building permits and are used to monitor developments in the construction sector.
3.2. Classification system
The statistics are compiled in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European Business Statistics (EBS) and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197 laying down technical specifications and arrangements. Buildings are classified according to the Classification of Types of Constructions (CC).
3.3. Coverage - sector
The statistics cover all building permits issued by local public authorities for residential and non-residential buildings in the Republic of Moldova. The coverage is complete.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Building permit – a document issued by the competent authority authorizing the execution of construction works in accordance with the urban planning certificate and the approved design documentation.
Issuing authority – the executive authority of the local public administration.
Residential buildings (dwellings) are buildings intended mainly for residential purposes, where more than half of the total floor area is used for residential use.
Non-residential buildings are buildings intended mainly for purposes other than residential use (e.g., administrative buildings, industrial buildings, commercial buildings, warehouses, cinemas, etc.).
3.5. Statistical unit
The statistical unit is the building permit issued for residential and non-residential buildings.
3.6. Statistical population
The statistical population comprises residential and non-residential buildings for which building permits have been issued.
3.7. Reference area
The reference area is the Republic of Moldova. Data exclude the districts from the left side of the Dniester River and the municipality of Bender.
3.8. Coverage - Time
The time series covers the period from the first quarter of 2021 onwards and is updated quarterly.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
The data are expressed in absolute values: the number of buildings is presented in units, and the total building area is presented in square meters (m2).
For building permits issued for residential and non-residential buildings, the rate of increase (or decrease), expressed as a percentage, and the share of building permits are also calculated.
The reference period is the quarter.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
The activities of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) are governed by the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova, Law No. 93 of 26 May 2017 on Official Statistics, Government Decision No.935 of 24 September 2018 on the organization and functioning of the National Bureau of Statistics, and other relevant national legislation. The compilation and transmission of European business statistics are also based on Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 on European Business Statistics and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
The National Bureau of Statistics transmits statistical data to Eurostat through the EDAMIS system in accordance with the Law on Official Statistics, Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
The confidentiality of individual data is protected in accordance with Law No. 93 of 26 May 2017 on Official Statistics. The National Bureau of Statistics ensures the protection of confidential statistical data and uses them exclusively for statistical purposes.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Confidential statistical data are protected throughout the statistical production process. Only aggregated data are disseminated. Where necessary, confidential data are suppressed or other statistical disclosure control methods are applied to prevent the identification of individual respondents.
8.1. Release calendar
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) prepares and publishes an annual release calendar for the dissemination of official statistics.
8.2. Release calendar access
The annual release calendar is available on the official website of the National Bureau of Statistics .
8.3. Release policy - user access
Official statistics are released simultaneously to the release calendar. Statistical information is made available free of charge on the official website of the National Bureau of Statistics.
Statistical data are disseminated through the Statistical Yearbook and Territorial Statistics. Publications are available in electronic format on the National Bureau of Statistics under ”Products and services / Publications”.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Data are available in the Statistical Databank (Statbank) and on the official website of National Bureau of Statistics under the Construction statistics section.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Access to anonymised microdata may be granted for scientific research projects in accordance with the Regulation on access to individual data for scientific purposes approved by Order No. 51 of 31 December 2021. Information on the access procedure is available on the official website of the National Bureau of Statistics.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Additional statistical information is provided upon request, within the limits of available information and in accordance with the Law on Official Statistics. Requests may be submitted in person, by post, by e-mail or through the online request service available on the official website of the National Bureau of Statistics.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
The methodology is available on the official website of National Bureau of Statistics under the section "Metadata and Classifiers / Reference Metadata": Referens Metadata - Building Permits
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Quality management is documented in the methodological documentation of the National Bureau of Statistics. The documentation describes the quality assurance principles and procedures applied throughout the statistical process, in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics adopted by the United Nations general Assembly and the Law on Official Statistics of the Republic of Moldova (No. 93/2017).
11.1. Quality assurance
The quality of building permits statistics is ensured through quality assurance procedures applied at all stages of the statistical process. Data are validated for completeness, internal consistency and coherence with previous periods, similar statistical units and available administrative and statistical data sources. Identified errors and inconsistencies are corrected before dissemination.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The quality of building permits statistics is continuously monitored and assessed through data validation and consistency checks carried out during data collection, processing and dissemination. The National Bureau of Statistics regularly reviews the statistical process to ensure compliance with quality standards and to continuously improve the quality of statistical outputs.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Building permits statistics meet the needs of a wide range of users, including public authorities, local government institutions, businesses, researchers, the media and the general public. The statistics are used for monitoring developments in the construction sector, economic analysis and policy-making at national and international levels.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
The National Bureau of Statistics is committed to meeting users' needs by providing relevant, reliable and timely statistical information. User feedback received through various communication channels is taken into account in order to improve statistical products and services.
12.3. Completeness
The statistics on building permits comply with the requirements of Regulation (EU) No. 2019/2152 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 2020/1197. All mandatory variables are compiled and transmitted to Eurostat.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The quality of building permits statistics is ensured through comprehensive validation procedures applied during data collection and processing. Data are checked for completeness, internal consistency and coherence with previous periods, similar statistical units and available administrative and statistical data sources. Any identified errors or inconsistencies are corrected before dissemination.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable. The statistics are based on exhaustive data collection; therefore, sampling errors do not apply.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Potential non-sampling errors are minimized through data validation, consistency checks and verification procedures carried out during data collection and processing. Identified errors are corrected before dissemination.
14.1. Timeliness
Statistics on building permits are compiled and disseminated on a quarterly basis. The data are published within 30 calendar days after the end of the reference quarter, following data collection, validation and processing.
14.2. Punctuality
Statistics on building permits are disseminated in accordance with the advance release calendar of the National Bureau of Statistics. The publication schedule is respected, and data are released on time.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Geographical comparability is not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Building permits statistics are available from 2014 onwards and are comparable over time.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Building permits statistics are not directly comparable with other statistical domains.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Internal coherence is ensured through data validation and consistency checks carried out during data processing before dissemination.
The response burden is minimized through clear questionnaires, methodological guidance and efficient data collection procedures.
17.1. Data revision - policy
The data revision policy is in accordance with the Revision Policy of Official Statistics of the National Bureau of Statistics, approved by Order No. 35 of 30 August 2022. The same revision policy is applied to the data transmitted to Eurostat.
17.2. Data revision - practice
The data are considered final at the time of first dissemination. Revisions are made only in exceptional cases, in accordance with the Revision Policy of Official Statistics of the National Bureau of Statistics. No revisions were made to the 2025 data; therefore, MAR = MR = 0.
18.1. Source data
The source data are collected through the statistical survey "Building Permits" (statistical questionnaire 1-AC) and administrative data provided by local public authorities.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Data are collected on a quarterly basis.
18.3. Data collection
Data are collected using the statistical questionnaire 1-AC. The information is provided by local public authorities responsible for issuing building permits.
18.4. Data validation
The data are validated for completeness, internal consistency and coherence with previous periods, similar statistical units and available administrative and statistical data sources. Identified errors and inconsistencies are verified and corrected before dissemination.
18.5. Data compilation
The data are compiled from the information collected through the statistical survey and administrative sources. No estimations are applied.
18.6. Adjustment
No seasonal or calendar adjustment is applied.
No additional comments.
Building permits statistics provide information on the number of building permits issued for residential and non-residential buildings, as well as the total floor area authorised for construction in the Republic of Moldova. The statistics are compiled on the basis of the statistical survey on building permits and are used to monitor developments in the construction sector.
18 April 2026
Building permit – a document issued by the competent authority authorizing the execution of construction works in accordance with the urban planning certificate and the approved design documentation.
Issuing authority – the executive authority of the local public administration.
Residential buildings (dwellings) are buildings intended mainly for residential purposes, where more than half of the total floor area is used for residential use.
Non-residential buildings are buildings intended mainly for purposes other than residential use (e.g., administrative buildings, industrial buildings, commercial buildings, warehouses, cinemas, etc.).
The statistical unit is the building permit issued for residential and non-residential buildings.
The statistical population comprises residential and non-residential buildings for which building permits have been issued.
The reference area is the Republic of Moldova. Data exclude the districts from the left side of the Dniester River and the municipality of Bender.
The reference period is the quarter.
The quality of building permits statistics is ensured through comprehensive validation procedures applied during data collection and processing. Data are checked for completeness, internal consistency and coherence with previous periods, similar statistical units and available administrative and statistical data sources. Any identified errors or inconsistencies are corrected before dissemination.
The data are expressed in absolute values: the number of buildings is presented in units, and the total building area is presented in square meters (m2).
For building permits issued for residential and non-residential buildings, the rate of increase (or decrease), expressed as a percentage, and the share of building permits are also calculated.
The data are compiled from the information collected through the statistical survey and administrative sources. No estimations are applied.
The source data are collected through the statistical survey "Building Permits" (statistical questionnaire 1-AC) and administrative data provided by local public authorities.
Data are disseminated quarterly.
Statistics on building permits are compiled and disseminated on a quarterly basis. The data are published within 30 calendar days after the end of the reference quarter, following data collection, validation and processing.
Geographical comparability is not applicable.
Building permits statistics are available from 2014 onwards and are comparable over time.
