About Albania

Albania is a small, mountainous country in the Balkan Peninsula, located on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. It’s known for its coastline, history, and unique cultural traditions, including the code of honor called “besa”.Albania is famous for its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and unique cultural traditions, including its coastline, mountains, and ancient cities, as well as its unique language and cuisine.
Albania presents a relatively good option for foreigners seeking work and settlement due to its low cost of living, welcoming culture, and growing job opportunities in sectors like IT, tourism, and education, though infrastructure and economic challenges exist. Approximately 7.4 million people visited Albania on vacation or for personal purposes. That was the highest figure over the observed period

Marriage with a citizen of Albania

Marriage to an Albanian citizen for at least 3 years reduces the residency requirement to 1 year, and language knowledge is not mandatory. Stateless individuals can apply, meeting a 5-year residency requirement. Children under 18 can acquire citizenship under certain parental and residency conditions.

Opening your own business

Under Albanian law, foreign nationals have the right to open their enterprises in Albania without any restrictions. The main condition is to place the company on tax service within five days of the application for registration of the business in the Albanian Commercial Register.

Once the firm is registered, the founder shall be issued as a fiscal code of the enterprise and VAT taxpayer. To obtain a business permit, the alien must present the company’s documents as evidence of the existence of long-term residence in Albania.

Albania’s thriving economy, business-friendly environment, and strategic location make it an ideal destination for international expansion. With its low taxes, skilled workforce, and growing consumer market, Albania offers unparalleled opportunities for startups, SMEs, and large enterprises.

Residence permits

Foreign citizens can be granted a temporary or permanent stay only by the provision of a residence permit.
Article 33 of the Law on Foreigners defines:
“The authority responsible for border and migration shall issue one of the 21 following types of residence permits to the foreign citizens intending to reside in the Republic of Albania for a period longer than 90 days within 180 days, following fulfillment of the requirements foreseen in this law:

• Type “A” residence permit, which is not renewable, gives the holder the right to reside in the Republic of Albania during the period for which the residence permit is issued
• Type “B” residence permit, renewable, issued for a defined time period, gives to the holder the right to enter, stay and exit the Republic of Albania within the period defined in the residence permit
• Type “C” residence is a permanent permit and gives to the holder the right to enter, stay and exit the Republic of Albania
• Type “S” residence permit, renewable, after an interruption period of six months, which is issued to seasonal workers, gives to the holder the right to enter, stay and exit the Republic of Albania within the period of time defined in the residence permit
• “AL Blue Card” residence permit, renewable, issued for a defined period only to the highly qualified workers, gives to the holder the right to enter, stay and exit the Republic of Albania within the period defined in the residence permit
• “AL-C Blue Card” residence permit, is permanent and it is issued only to highly qualified workers and it gives to the holder the right to enter, stay and exit the Republic of Albania.

Moreover, the law specifies that the application for a residence permit must be conforming to the purpose of the visa used for entering Albania.

Terms and duration of residence permits

Short-term permits:

• 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year: These permits are renewable, but the 1-year permit can only be renewed up to 5 consecutive times.
• 2 years: These permits can be renewed only once.

Long-term permits:

• 5 years: Citizens of the US, Kosovo, and the EU normally receive a 5-year permit during the first application, unless the reason for application is property purchase, in which case a one-year permit is issued.
• Permanent residence: After 5 years of legal residence in Albania, migrants can apply for permanent residence.
• Type C (AL-C Blue Card):
  This is a permanent residence permit, with the right to stay abroad for no more than 12 months without interruption.
• Type B (AL Blue Card):
  This is a renewable permit, with the right of entry/exit, staying outside the territory for not more than 6 months.

Residence permits for specific categories

Further on, there are specific residence permits for the following categories:

• Seasonal employees
• International citizens working for NGOs, humanitarian, charity, or religious foundations
• Unpaid Trainees
• Youth Exchange
• Voluntary services
• Scientific research
• Students and School Pupils
• Humanitarian grounds
• Au pairs
• Victims of trafficking of human beings
• Individuals without citizenship
• Cross-border employee
• Freelancers
• Retirees

Temporary residence permit

To obtain a temporary residence permit in Albania, you need to apply within 30 days of entering the country and submit the necessary documents online through e-Albania. The application process depends on the reason for your stay, and you’ll receive a temporary permit with an electronic signature, valid for up to two months for evaluation.

Family reunification

According to the above-mentioned law on foreigners, foreign citizens equipped with a residence permit may submit an application for family reunion purposes only if the following conditions are met:

• Family members of the applicant reside outside the territory of Albania.
• The foreign citizen has been issued with a residence permit in the Republic of Albania for a validity period of at least one year and has the possibility to renew the permit in compliance with the provisions of this law
• The applicant guarantees normal housing according to the general standards of health and security
• The applicant has sickness insurance cover for him or her and his / her family members for whom he/ she has applied for family reunification;
• The applicant has for him/herself and family members sufficient funds to prevent them from applying for welfare and getting aid
• The applicant submits the documentation based on the provisions of the decision of the Council of Ministers.

Immigration to Albania

Albania experiences both immigration and emigration, with a significant Albanian diaspora residing in countries like Italy, Greece, and the United States, while Albania is also a transit point for migrants heading to the EU.
you’ll likely need a long-stay visa (Type D) and subsequently a residence permit, depending on your purpose (work, family, etc.) and citizenship. You can also apply for a Unique Permit (combining residence and work) or a Work Registration Certificate for certain activities.

Work in Albania

To work in Albania, non-Albanian citizens generally need a work permit and a valid employment contract, requiring employers to demonstrate that no suitable local candidate is available and that the employee possesses the necessary skills. Albania is an excellent destination for foreign workers seeking opportunities in both skilled and unskilled roles. With its affordable cost of living, growing economy, and welcoming atmosphere, the country is attractive for those looking to build their careers in Europe.

Most demand jobs in Albania

1. IT & Digital Economy
2. Tourism & Hospitality
3. Manufacturing
4. Agriculture
5. Financial Analyst
6. Electrical engineer
7. Civil Engineer
8. Marketing Specialist
9. Web Developer
10. Software Engineer
11. Construction
12. Service Sector

Albania Visa Types