Albania

Capital Tirana

Currency ALL

Languages Albanian

Official fee 6,750 – 10,008,000 ALL

Albania is a non-EU, non-Schengen Western Balkan state and EU candidate country. Immigration is governed by Law 79/2021 'On Foreigners' (residence and unique/single permits) and Law 113/2020 on Citizenship, administered by the Ministry of Interior via the Border & Migration Police and the e-Albania portal. Many nationalities (US, EU, UK and others) are visa-exempt for short stays and can apply for residence/unique permits directly after entry. Permanent residence is available after 5 consecutive legal years; naturalization generally after 7 years of lawful residence with Albanian language proficiency, with faster routes for spouses (3 years marriage + 1 year residence) and descent (up to 3rd degree).

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Immigration Pathways

(16) Last updated: Jun 7, 2026 · 5 days ago

14 of 16 pathways lead to long-term settlement — 11 to permanent residence, 14 to citizenship.

16 of 16 pathways are backed by official government sources.

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Work / Employment High confidence

Single (Unique) Work & Residence Permit — Employee

Combined work-and-residence 'unique permit' for foreign employees with an Albanian Labour Code-compliant contract. Requires prior employment authorization from the National Agency for Employment and Skills (NAES/AKPA), except for EU citizens who self-declare. Issued for up to 3 years.

Processing time: Unique permit issued within a maximum of 12 weeks (typically 4–12 weeks); NAES employment approval ~10 working days
Validity: 1–3 years depending on permit chosen; renewable
Language requirement: None for the permit
Documents: 8 required
Permanent residence: Yes · 5 consecutive legal years
Citizenship: Yes · 7 years of lawful permanent residence

Requirements

Valid passport with all entry stamps
Employment contract compliant with the Albanian Labour Code
NAES/AKPA employment authorization (EU citizens self-declare and are exempt)
Proof of professional qualifications/experience
Proof of adequate housing to Albanian standard
Application form (Annex 8 for unique permits)

Required Documents

Valid passport including all entry stamps and pages required
Photo 47×36 mm, white background, taken within 6 months, frontal and neutral required
Employment contract compliant with the Albanian Labour Code required
Proof of professional qualifications/experience required
Proof of adequate housing to Albanian standard required
Unique permit application form (Annex 8) required
NAES/AKPA employment authorization (unless exempt under Art. 79/80, incl. EU citizens) required
All foreign documents translated into Albanian, certified, legalized/apostilled, issued within 6 months required

Official fees

Employee single permit (≤1 year) 8,000 ALL

Employee single permit (≤2 years) 9,000 ALL

Employee single permit (≤3 years) 10,000 ALL

Renewal 4,000 ALL

US/EU/Kosovo citizens, first-time 5-year permit 12,000 ALL

Biometric card fee (paid separately at a Level-2 bank)

Estimated total 43,000 ALL

Process Steps

1
Obtain employment authorization

Employer/applicant obtains NAES (AKPA) employment authorization unless exempt under Art. 79/80 (EU citizens self-declare).
2
Apply online

Apply on e-Albania service code 15146 using the official Request for Unique Permit form.
3
Pay fee

Pay the service fee and upload the payment mandate.
4
Provisional permit

Receive a provisional/electronic permit within ~5 days.
5
Register and submit originals

Within 30 days register residence at the civil status office, pay the biometric card fee at a Level-2 bank, and mail original documents to the regional migration office.
6
Biometric appointment

Attend in-person biometric (fingerprint) appointment.
7
Collect card

Collect the biometric card within ~2 weeks of final approval.

Official Sources

EU Blue Card Medium confidence

Blu AL Card — Highly Skilled Worker Permit (Art. 65–66)

Albania's national highly-skilled-worker permit (the 'Blu AL Card'), analogous to the EU Blue Card. Requires prior NAES authorization and a qualifying high-skill employment offer. Valid 2 years, renewable for 3; the long-term version is the 'Blu AL-C Card' leading to permanent residence.

Processing time: Up to 12 weeks; NAES approval ~10 working days
Validity: 2 years renewable +3 years
Language requirement: None for the permit
Documents: 6 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Accelerated via Blu AL-C Card; otherwise 5 years
Citizenship: Yes · 7 years of lawful permanent residence

Requirements

Valid passport
Highly-skilled employment contract
Proof of higher professional qualifications
NAES/AKPA prior authorization
Proof of adequate housing

Required Documents

Valid passport with all entry stamps required
Highly-skilled employment contract compliant with Albanian Labour Code required
Proof of higher professional qualifications required
NAES/AKPA prior employment authorization required
Photo 47×36 mm and proof of adequate housing required
Foreign documents translated, certified and legalized/apostilled required

Official fees

Unique permit service fee (by duration band) 8,000 ALL

Biometric card fee (separate, at Level-2 bank)

Process Steps

1
NAES authorization

Obtain prior NAES/AKPA employment authorization.
2
Apply online

Apply on e-Albania service code 15146 (same portal/process as unique permit).
3
Provisional permit and biometrics

Receive provisional permit, register, pay biometric card fee, attend biometric appointment.
4
Collect card

Collect the Blu AL Card; after qualifying period upgrade to Blu AL-C Card for long-term residence.

Official Sources

Study / Student High confidence

Student Residence Permit (Art. 46)

Residence permit for foreigners admitted to an Albanian educational institution. Requires admission, tuition payment, financial means and housing proof. Students may work up to 15 hours/week after the first year without NAES authorization.

Processing time: Provisional within 5 days; card within ~2 weeks of approval
Validity: 1 year, renewable for duration of studies
Language requirement: Language proficiency proof OR enrollment in preparatory course
Documents: 6 required
Permanent residence: Yes · 5 consecutive legal years (study years count toward residence)
Citizenship: Yes · 7 years of lawful residence

Requirements

Institutional admission letter
Proof of tuition payment
Financial means: bank deposit ≥ 300,000 ALL/person/year OR monthly income ≥ 32,000 ALL/person
Language proficiency or preparatory-course enrollment
Proof of housing

Required Documents

Institutional admission letter required
Proof of tuition payment required
Financial resources: bank deposit ≥300,000 ALL/year OR monthly income ≥32,000 ALL required
Language proficiency proof or preparatory-course enrollment required
Proof of housing required
Valid passport and photo 47×36 mm required

Official fees

Study permit first issue 4,500 ALL

Renewal 2,250 ALL

Biometric card fee (separate)

Estimated total 6,750 ALL

Process Steps

1
Apply online

Apply on e-Albania residence service code 9628.
2
Provisional permit

Receive provisional permit within 5 days.
3
Register and submit originals

Within 30 days register residence, pay biometric fee, and mail originals.
4
Biometrics and card

Attend biometric appointment and collect card within ~2 weeks.

Official Sources

Job Seeker Visa Medium confidence

Post-Study / Post-Research Job-Seeking Permit (Art. 51)

Permit allowing graduates and researchers who completed studies/research in Albania to remain and seek employment. Duration at least 9 months.

Processing time: Provisional within 5 days; card within ~2 weeks
Validity: At least 9 months
Language requirement: None
Documents: 3 required

Requirements

Diploma OR research-completion attestation
Education level ≤ EQF Level 7
Proof of financial resources

Required Documents

Diploma OR research-completion attestation required
Proof of financial resources (bank deposit ≥300,000 ALL/year or income ≥32,000 ALL/month) required
Valid passport and photo 47×36 mm required

Official fees

Permit 4,500 ALL

Biometric card fee (separate)

Process Steps

1
Apply online

Apply on e-Albania residence service code 9628 with diploma/research attestation.
2
Provisional and biometrics

Receive provisional permit, register, attend biometric appointment.
3
Collect card

Collect the biometric card.

Official Sources

Self-employment / Freelance Medium confidence

Self-Employment / Company Formation Permit (Art. 67)

Unique permit for foreigners running their own registered business in Albania. Requires registration at the National Business Center (QKB) and a favorable economic-interest evaluation by a committee under the Minister of Economy/Finance. Valid up to 3 years; route to PR after 3 years if successful.

Processing time: Up to 12 weeks plus Ministry of Economy evaluation
Validity: Up to 3 years (duration of planned business)
Language requirement: None for the permit
Documents: 5 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Accelerated — permanent residence after 3 years if business successful (Art. 67(4))
Citizenship: Yes · 7 years of lawful residence

Requirements

Registered Albanian company (QKB/National Business Center)
Business plan
Proof of capital adequacy
Favorable evaluation by Minister of Economy/Finance committee
Proof of adequate housing

Required Documents

QKB (National Business Center) company registration required
Business plan required
Proof of capital required
Ownership documents (>51% ownership gives quota exemption under Art. 79(ç))
Valid passport, photo 47×36 mm, proof of housing required
Foreign documents translated, certified and legalized/apostilled required

Official fees

Unique permit service fee (8,000–10,000 ALL by duration) 8,000 ALL

Biometric card fee (separate)

Process Steps

1
Register company

Register the company at the National Business Center (QKB).
2
Economic evaluation

Obtain a favorable evaluation from the Ministry of Economy/Finance committee assessing economic interest, impact and capital adequacy.
3
Apply online

Apply on e-Albania service code 15146.
4
Provisional permit and biometrics

Receive provisional permit, register, pay biometric fee, attend biometric appointment.
5
Collect card

Collect the biometric card.

Official Sources

Investor / Golden Visa Low confidence

Investor Permit (Art. 69)

Unique permit for foreign investors meeting a minimum investment threshold and an employment ratio of 1 foreigner per 5 Albanian nationals. Valid 2 years renewable once for 3; permanent residence granted on expiry of the second permit (~5 years total).

Processing time: Up to 12 weeks plus Ministry of Economy evaluation
Validity: 2 years, renewable once for 3 years
Language requirement: None for the permit
Documents: 6 required
Permanent residence: Yes · Permanent residence on expiry of second permit (~5 years) if grounds unchanged (Art. 69(4))
Citizenship: Yes · 7 years of lawful residence

Requirements

Minimum investment (commonly reported as ALL 10,000,000 — set by joint ministerial instruction; confirm current figure)
Employment ratio of 1 foreigner to 5 Albanian nationals
Salary ≥ national average for the role
Profitable undertaking with valid tax records

Required Documents

Company registration required
Proof of investment amount required
Employment records showing the 1:5 ratio required
Payroll/salary evidence required
Tax compliance certificate required
Valid passport, photo, proof of housing required

Official fees

Minimum investment (commonly reported; confirm via ministerial instruction) 10,000,000 ALL

Unique permit service fee 8,000 ALL

Biometric card fee (separate)

Estimated total 10,008,000 ALL

Process Steps

1
Document the investment

Establish and document the qualifying investment and company.
2
Economic evaluation

Obtain Ministry of Economy evaluation.
3
Apply online

Apply on e-Albania service code 15146.
4
Provisional and biometrics

Receive provisional permit, attend biometric appointment.
5
Collect card

Collect the biometric card.

Official Sources

Investor / Golden Visa Medium confidence

Residence Permit for Owners of Immovable Property (Art. 84)

Residence permit for foreigners who own real estate in Albania. Valid 1 year, renewable yearly while ownership continues.

Processing time: Provisional within 5 days; card within ~2 weeks
Validity: 1 year, renewable yearly while ownership continues
Language requirement: None
Documents: 4 required
Permanent residence: Yes · 5 consecutive legal years
Citizenship: Yes · 7 years of lawful residence

Requirements

Albanian property ownership deed (including ½ co-owners)
Valid passport
Health insurance
Housing proof

Required Documents

Albanian property ownership deed (incl. ½ co-owners) required
Valid passport and photo 47×36 mm required
Health insurance required
Housing proof required

Official fees

Residence permit service fee (standard residence band) 4,500 ALL

Biometric card fee (separate)

Process Steps

1
Apply online

Apply on e-Albania residence service code 9628 with the property deed.
2
Provisional and biometrics

Receive provisional permit, register within 30 days, attend biometric appointment.
3
Collect card

Collect the biometric card.

Official Sources

Investor / Golden Visa Low confidence

Pensioner / Retiree Residence Permit (Art. 85)

Residence permit for retirees with a qualifying foreign pension transferred to an Albanian bank. No economic or professional activity permitted. Valid 1 year, renewable yearly.

Processing time: Decision within ~30 days
Validity: 1 year, renewable yearly
Language requirement: None
Documents: 5 required
Permanent residence: Yes · 5 consecutive legal years
Citizenship: Yes · 7 years of lawful residence

Requirements

Pension document proving annual pension ≥ ALL 1,200,000 (~EUR 11,600)
Statement from an Albanian bank confirming pension transfers
Notarized rental/housing contract (≥20 m²/person)
1-year health insurance valid in Albania
Clean criminal record

Required Documents

Pension document from country of origin (annual pension ≥ ALL 1,200,000) required
Albanian bank statement confirming pension transfers/deposits required
Notarized rental/housing contract (≥20 m²/person) required
1-year health insurance valid in Albania required
Clean criminal record required

Official fees

Processing fee (agent estimate ~EUR 165; confirm officially) 165 EUR

Biometric card fee (separate)

Process Steps

1
Apply online

File the residence application on e-Albania (service code 9628).
2
Pay fee and decision

Pay the fee; decision within ~30 days.
3
Biometrics and card

Attend biometric appointment and collect the card.

Official Sources

Family Reunification High confidence

Family Reunification Residence Permit (Art. 40–45)

Residence permit for family members of a foreigner legally residing in Albania or of an Albanian national. Requires a financial test, adequate housing and health insurance. Refugee family reunification is free.

Processing time: Provisional within 5 days; refugee reunification decision within 30 days (20 for unaccompanied minors)
Validity: Tied to sponsor's permit; renewable
Language requirement: None for the permit
Documents: 5 required
Permanent residence: Yes · 5 consecutive legal years
Citizenship: Yes · 7 years of lawful residence (or spouse route: 3 years marriage + 1 year residence)

Requirements

Sponsor's residence permit copy
Marriage/family/birth certificate
Financial test: bank deposit ≥300,000 ALL/person/year OR monthly income ≥32,000 ALL/person
Adequate housing proof
Health insurance

Required Documents

Sponsor's residence permit copy required
Marriage/family/birth certificate establishing the relationship required
Adequate-housing proof required
Financial-resources proof (≥300,000 ALL/year or ≥32,000 ALL/month per person) required
Health insurance required
Notarized cohabitation declaration (civil partners)
Parental consent if sponsoring a minor

Official fees

Permit first issue 4,500 ALL

Renewal 2,250 ALL

Refugee family reunification 0 ALL

Biometric card fee (separate; state covers it for refugees)

Estimated total 6,750 ALL

Process Steps

1
Apply online

Apply on e-Albania residence service code 9628 (refugee reunification is filed with the state asylum authority, not the portal).
2
Provisional permit

Receive provisional permit within 5 days.
3
Register and biometrics

Within 30 days register, pay biometric fee, mail originals, attend biometric appointment.
4
Collect card

Collect the biometric card.

Official Sources

Research / Scientist Medium confidence

Scientific Research Residence Permit (Art. 50)

Residence permit for researchers under a hosting agreement with an accredited Albanian research institution or university. Valid up to 1 year.

Processing time: Provisional within 5 days; card within ~2 weeks
Validity: Up to 1 year
Language requirement: None for the permit
Documents: 4 required
Permanent residence: Yes · 5 consecutive legal years
Citizenship: Yes · 7 years of lawful residence

Requirements

Hosting agreement with an accredited Albanian research institution/university
Proof of financial resources
Valid passport and standard document set

Required Documents

Hosting agreement with accredited Albanian research institution/university required
Financial resources proof (bank deposit ≥300,000 ALL/year or income ≥32,000 ALL/month) required
Valid passport, photo 47×36 mm, proof of housing required
Foreign documents translated, certified, legalized/apostilled required

Official fees

Permit 4,500 ALL

Biometric card fee (separate)

Process Steps

1
Apply online

Apply on e-Albania residence service code 9628 with the hosting agreement.
2
Provisional and biometrics

Receive provisional permit, register within 30 days, attend biometric appointment.
3
Collect card

Collect the biometric card.

Official Sources

Digital Nomad Low confidence

Single Permit for Digital Mobile Workers (Art. 68)

Unique permit for remote workers employed by or contracting with foreign-based entities, performing work via IT tools. Cannot work for Albanian companies. Valid 1 year, renewable annually.

Processing time: ~2–6 weeks per stage (third-party estimate)
Validity: 1 year, renewable annually
Language requirement: None
Documents: 5 required
Permanent residence: Yes · 5 consecutive legal years
Citizenship: Yes · 7 years of lawful residence

Requirements

Contract with a foreign-based employer/client performed via IT tools
Sufficient income for self and dependants (agent guidance cites ≥40,000 ALL/month; confirm officially)
Accommodation proof in Albania
Valid 1-year health insurance
Clean criminal record from country of origin

Required Documents

Contract with a foreign-based employer/client performed via IT tools required
Recent bank statements showing foreign income required
Accommodation proof in Albania required
Valid 1-year health insurance required
Clean criminal record (legalized and translated to Albanian) required

Official fees

Unique permit service fee 8,000 ALL

Biometric card fee (separate)

Process Steps

1
Type D visa if required

Obtain a Type D long-stay visa first if your nationality is not visa-exempt (e-visa.al).
2
Apply online

Apply on e-Albania service code 15146.
3
Biometrics and card

Attend biometric appointment and collect the card.

Official Sources

Language / Au-pair Medium confidence

Au Pair Residence Permit (Art. 48)

Residence permit for au pairs aged 18–30 placed with a host family of a different nationality (non-relatives). Maximum 25 hours/week, 1 day off weekly; up to 1 year, renewable once up to 6 months.

Processing time: Provisional within 5 days; card within ~2 weeks of approval
Validity: Up to 1 year, renewable once up to 6 months
Language requirement: Language certificate required
Documents: 6 required

Requirements

Age 18–30
Au pair agreement with a host family of different nationality (non-relatives)
Education/qualification proof
Language certificate
Health/accident insurance

Required Documents

Au pair agreement with host family required
Education/qualification proof required
Language certificate required
Legalized criminal record required
Medical certificate required
Health/accident insurance required

Official fees

Permit first issue 4,500 ALL

Renewal 2,250 ALL

Biometric card fee (separate)

Estimated total 6,750 ALL

Process Steps

1
Apply online

Apply on e-Albania residence service code 9628.
2
Provisional and biometrics

Receive provisional permit, register within 30 days, attend biometric appointment.
3
Collect card

Collect the biometric card.

Official Sources

Ancestry / Descent Medium confidence

Citizenship by Descent (Law 113/2020, Art. 6)

Albanian citizenship for those who prove direct lineal kinship up to the 3rd degree to an Albanian ancestor, with a clean record and no security threat. No residence requirement.

Processing time: Multi-stage; varies
Validity: Permanent
Language requirement: None
Documents: 4 required
Citizenship: Yes · No residence requirement

Requirements

Proof of direct lineal kinship up to the 3rd degree to an Albanian ancestor
Clean criminal record
No security threat

Required Documents

Ancestor's civil-status/citizenship records required
Chain of birth/marriage certificates establishing the lineage required
Applicant's criminal record required
Foreign documents apostilled/legalized and translated into Albanian required

Official fees

Processing fee (confirm officially)

Process Steps

1
Assemble lineage evidence

Gather ancestor's records and the chain of certificates proving kinship up to the 3rd degree.
2
File application

File via the local civil registry office for the Ministry of Interior.
3
Review and decision

Background verification, Citizenship Commission review, and final decision.

Official Sources

Permanent Residence High confidence

Permanent Residence (Art. 87)

Long-term resident status after 5 consecutive legal years (with limited absences), proof of lawful income, health insurance, adequate housing and tax compliance. Accelerated routes exist for self-employed (3 yrs), investors (~5 yrs) and highly skilled (Blu AL-C Card).

Processing time: Standard residence processing
Validity: Permanent Type C card, auto-replaced every 7 years
Language requirement: None for PR
Documents: 5 required
Citizenship: Yes · 7 years of lawful residence including PR period

Requirements

5 consecutive legal years (absences ≤6 months each, ≤10 months total)
Proof of sufficient lawful income (no social assistance)
Health insurance at Albanian national standard
Adequate housing
Proof of regularly paid taxes

Required Documents

Evidence of 5 years' legal stay (absences ≤6 months each, ≤10 months total) required
Proof of sufficient lawful income (no social assistance) required
Health insurance at Albanian national standard required
Adequate housing proof required
Tax records showing regularly paid taxes required

Official fees

Residence service fee 4,500 ALL

Biometric card fee (separate)

Process Steps

1
Apply online

Apply via e-Albania (residence service code 9628) after 5 consecutive legal years.
2
Submit evidence

Provide proof of legal stay, income, insurance, housing and taxes.
3
Biometrics and card

Attend biometric appointment; receive permanent Type C card auto-replaced every 7 years.

Official Sources

Citizenship / Naturalization Medium confidence

Citizenship by Naturalization (Law 113/2020, Art. 8)

Naturalization after 7 years of lawful continuous residence with a valid permanent residence permit, Albanian language proficiency and basic history knowledge. A spouse route (3 years marriage + 1 year residence) is exempt from the 7-year and language requirements.

Processing time: Typically 12–24 months (multi-stage)
Validity: Permanent
Language requirement: Proof of Albanian language (spoken & written) and basic Albanian history
Documents: 6 required
Citizenship: Yes · 7 years (general); 3 years marriage + 1 year residence (spouse route)

Requirements

7 years' lawful continuous residence + valid permanent residence permit
Adequate housing
Lawful sufficient income (indexed to minimum living standard)
Criminal-record certificate (no conviction ≥3 yrs)
Proof of Albanian language and basic history
All foreign documents apostilled/legalized and translated into Albanian

Required Documents

Proof of 7 years' lawful continuous residence + valid permanent residence permit required
Adequate housing proof required
Lawful sufficient income evidence (indexed to minimum living standard) required
Criminal-record certificate (no conviction ≥3 yrs) required
Proof of Albanian language (spoken & written) and basic Albanian history required
Foreign documents apostilled/legalized and translated into Albanian required

Official fees

Processing fee (agent estimate ~EUR 200; confirm officially) 200 EUR

Process Steps

1
File application

File at the local civil registry office (Zyra e Gjendjes Civile) for the Ministry of Interior.
2
Review and verification

Completeness review, then background/document verification.
3
Interview and commission

Interview if required, then review by the Citizenship Commission.
4
Final decision

Final decision (typically 12–24 months).

Official Sources

Asylum / Humanitarian Medium confidence

Humanitarian Protection & Asylum

Protection statuses (humanitarian permits, trafficking-victim permits, asylum) under Law 10/2021. Humanitarian, trafficking-victim and refugee family-reunification permits are free, with the state covering the biometric card. Asylum is filed with the state asylum authority, not the e-Albania portal.

Processing time: Varies; refugee processes have statutory deadlines
Validity: 1 year (humanitarian permit)
Language requirement: None
Documents: 1 required
Permanent residence: Yes · 5 consecutive legal years
Citizenship: Yes · 7 years of lawful residence

Requirements

A request/referral from the relevant authority (asylum directorate, labour inspectorate, police or prosecutor) as the triggering document
Housing and health-insurance requirements still apply for some categories

Required Documents

Request/referral from the relevant authority (asylum directorate, labour inspectorate, police, or prosecutor) required
Housing proof (for some categories)
Health insurance (for some categories)
Statelessness attestation (for stateless persons)

Official fees

Humanitarian / trafficking-victim / refugee family reunification permit 0 ALL

Stateless person permit first issue 4,500 ALL

Stateless person renewal 2,250 ALL

Estimated total 6,750 ALL

Process Steps

1
File with asylum authority

Asylum claims are filed with the state asylum authority under Law 10/2021 (not the e-Albania permit portal).
2
Referral and permit

For humanitarian/trafficking categories, the triggering referral leads to a free permit; the state covers the biometric card.

Official Sources

Some pathway details are machine-translated and may contain minor inaccuracies. Always verify with official sources.

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