Dining out will cost more in 2027: A 1,000-lei restaurant bill could rise by 37 lei
Restaurant meals, coffee, and other services in the HoReCa sector could become approximately 3.7% more expensive starting in 2027. This estimate follows the planned VAT increase for this sector—from 8% to 12%—as outlined in the new budgetary and fiscal policy. Ultimately, this cost increase could be borne by consumers, warns Diana Ilicciev, Chair of the Tax Committee at the European Business Association (EBA Moldova).
If a restaurant meal currently costs 500 lei, the price could increase to approximately 519 lei, assuming the VAT hike is fully passed on to customers. For a 1,000 lei bill, the increase would be around 37 lei. However, the actual impact will depend on each establishment's pricing decisions.
“Raising the VAT rate from 8% to 12% will inevitably lead to an approximately 3.7% increase in prices for HoReCa products and services,” said Diana Ilicciev during the Banii program on Moldova 1.
The VAT increase is not the only measure likely to put upward pressure on prices, the business representative warned. The 2027 fiscal policy also provides for higher fuel excise duties, which could drive up transport and supply costs for businesses, including those in the hospitality and food service sectors.
“The increase in excise duties will certainly have an immediate impact, reflected in higher prices at the pump. Since fuel is a key cost component in determining the prices of all goods and services produced domestically, the impact will be significant,” Diana Ilicciev cautioned.
At the same time, the expert pointed to a positive change for accommodation providers. Under the new rules, local taxes will be calculated based on the actual number of nights guests stay, rather than as a percentage of total sales. This change could ease the tax burden for some businesses.
The VAT increase for the HoReCa sector is part of the fiscal and budgetary policy for 2027, under which the authorities expect to generate approximately 5.1 billion lei in additional revenue. Of this amount, around 1.6 billion lei is expected to come from VAT and 2.7 billion lei from excise duties.
