Telephone Numbers
Telephone Numbers
Types of Albanian Residence Visa
For detailed information +90 542 381 3868 'Call.
According to the Law on Foreigners, every residence permit in the Republic of Albania is issued for a specific period, unless otherwise specified in the law, at the end of which it either expires or must be renewed.
The durations are as follows:
When applying for the first time, an Albanian temporary residence permit is not granted for more than one year, unless you are a US, EU, or Kosovo citizen.
When applying for the first time, citizens of the US, EU, and Kosovo will receive a five-year residence permit.
However, all foreigners who acquire residence by purchasing real estate receive only a one-year residence permit, which can be renewed each year. Permanent Residence: A foreign citizen with stable ties in Albania will be eligible for a permanent residence permit after legally residing there for five consecutive years.
The Albanian "Law on Foreigners" serves various purposes when granting residence permits.
The amended law 79/2021 introduced a new type of residence permit and several new categories of foreigners who will now be eligible to obtain an Albanian residence permit.
Some of the significant changes introduced by the new law include:
We have helped our clients acquire citizenship in 28 different countries, from ancestry programs that are often overlooked, to fast-tracked investment options, and even special programs for HNWIs. Unique Permit: Modeled after the EU's Single Permit, the Unique Permit includes residence and work permits.
The Unique Permit will allow foreigners to live and work in Albania through a single application procedure.
The law has also introduced a residence permit for the use of owned real estate.
Residence permits are divided into ordinary/standard and unique.
Ordinary permits are issued for:
Unique permits are issued for:
Special Categories for the Unique Permit
The following are specific categories for which a unique permit will be issued:
Get Information on Obtaining a Residence Visa or Opening a Company in Albania
Article 69 of the Law on Foreigners 79/2021 sets out the conditions for granting investors a unique residence permit in exchange for their investment. However, the law does not detail the specifics of the investment.
Investors are granted a unique permit for a period of two years, which can be renewed for three years.
After the validity period of the second three-year permit expires, investors will be granted a permanent residence permit in Albania.
The law mentions the following conditions for investors to obtain a unique permit:
As you can see, the law is still quite vague on many vital aspects related to investment, such as the minimum investment amount, clear investment pathways, etc.
Since the Albanian "Law on Foreigners" is still quite new, it is highly likely that further developments and clarifications will be made in the future.
One of the most recently introduced residence permits is for the use of an owned real estate property. With this new addition to the law, foreigners will now be able to obtain a residence permit in Albania by purchasing property in Albania.
Article 84 of the Law on Foreigners 79/2021 explains the right to obtain a residence permit in Albania by purchasing real estate in Albania.
The conditions and criteria surrounding Albanian residence through real estate are still uncertain and not properly defined by law.
According to the law, there are no restrictions on the type of property a foreigner can buy. It can be residential or commercial.
However, foreigners who wish to stay in the country for any reason will ultimately need a home, and the residence permit card will also require a registered Albanian address.
Nevertheless, the law is clear on one thing - property ownership.
A residence permit for the use of the property will be granted to foreigners who can prove ownership of the real estate, such as with a sales contract.
The law does not require the foreigner to be the sole owner of the property. A residence permit is granted if the investor owns at least half (at least 50%) of the real estate.
Furthermore, the law does not specify a minimum investment amount for real estate purchases.
However, the law is still quite new, and there may be more developments in the future. The Council of Ministers of Albania determines the procedure and criteria for residence by purchasing real estate.
The temporary residence permit for the use of the property is granted for one year, and you must renew it at the end of this period if you wish to continue your residence. You also need to remain a property owner to maintain your residence.
To obtain a residence permit, you must apply online to the Albanian Immigration Department within thirty days of your entry into Albania.
The decision regarding your application will be made within thirty days following your online application.
Residence permit holders can apply for Albanian citizenship after residing in Albania for five consecutive years (more than 180 days in a year).
Furthermore, to be eligible for citizenship, you must be proficient in the Albanian language at a basic level.
The Albanian passport ranks 43rd on the Nomad Passport Index and offers visa-free entry to 113 countries.
The ranking may rise when the country joins the EU.
Albania is not a famous country, but that doesn't automatically make it a bad choice for residency.
You need to weigh the country's pros and cons and find out if it fits into your offshore life puzzle.
We have seen this before in many countries, such as Malaysia and Indonesia, which have made a 180-degree shift to become investment, tourism, and business hubs.
Albania has various residence permits depending on the visitor's duration and purpose.
The border and migration authority issues one of the following residence permits to foreigners who plan to stay in Albania for more than 90 days within a 180-day period.
+90 542 381 3868
+971 58 5204103