Ways to Obtain Residency in Albania

Why Albania?

Liberal Foreign Investment Regime

Albania is trying its best to attract the attention of international investors through a liberal foreign investment regime.

Whether you are a foreign citizen looking to start a business or invest in the public or private sector, Albania will have a lucrative incentive for you.

Albania's law "On Foreign Investment" allows for 100% foreign ownership of companies, among other legal advantages for foreign investors.

Additionally, several economic zones are being established in Tirana (the capital) and other major cities across the country, providing more incentives for foreign citizens who want to incorporate their business in Albania.

In economic zones, property tax and property transfer tax will be exempted for five years.

Albania is still largely under the radar in terms of foreign investment. Therefore, real estate prices and demand are among the lowest in the European region.

First-movers will not only reap the benefits of these incentives but also enjoy the advantages of an unsaturated, developing market.

Competitive Tax Rates

In Albania, corporate income over 14 million Lek (roughly $130,380) is taxed at a flat rate of 15%.

Thanks to the government's many incentives, foreign investors can expect to pay zero to single-digit tax rates in Albania if they meet certain requirements.

In addition, strategic tax planning can also save you a lot of money.

Incentives like the 1 EURO Contract, where the Albanian government offers to lease state-owned property for 1 Euro per year for investment, have made Albania a very attractive place for your investments.

Also, tax breaks for investors in strategic sectors like tourism and automotive make the country a very sweet investment spot.

Albania is a Candidate for EU Membership

After nearly five centuries under Ottoman rule, Albanians finally began to reconnect with their European roots in the late 19th century.

The Albanian authorities and public are eager to join the European Union, and the country is doing its best to adopt the EU's legal framework to make its future accession smooth.

However, don't expect it to become an EU state overnight. The country is fighting a long and arduous battle to achieve its accession goals. But in the meantime, you can benefit from more affordable investments and lighter regulations, as the situation will surely change once Brussels gets involved.

Obtaining a Residence Visa in Albania

Any foreigner from a visa-exempt country can enter Albania with a valid passport. Visa-exempt foreign nationals can legally stay in Albania for 90 days within a 180-day period. Staying longer than that requires a residence permit in Albania.

According to Albania's "Law on Foreigners," citizens of the US, EU, and Schengen have the same employment and self-employment rights as Albanian citizens.

The Albanian “Law on Foreigners”

The Albanian Law No. 188/2013 "On Foreigners" regulates all aspects of immigration, residence, and work permits for foreigners wishing to visit Albania for various reasons.

The law was later amended in 2021. The new law No. 79/2021 "On Foreigners" introduced new legal definitions, types of residence permits, and their issuance procedures, among other topics.

The Albanian Law regulates the following aspects:

• Entry into and exit from the Republic of Albania
• Residence of foreigners
• Work permits for foreigners
• Treatment of foreigners in the country

Get Information on Obtaining a Residence Visa or Opening a Company in Albania