Legal and tax toolbox

Work permit

Non-Albanian citizens, excluding European Union countries, US citizens and Schengen Zone, who wish to work in Albania need a work permit issued by the Ministry of Social Welfare to work in Albania. The request is made before starting the work. The response to this request takes no longer than 10 days after submission of documents. There are different types of work permits which mainly differ from their validity period:

1. Type A which includes work permit for employees, seasonal, work permit for family members,
2. Type B which includes work permit for independent economic activity, investors, self-employed,

The duration of the work permit usually depends of the type of work.

The EU, Schengen Zone and US citizens are exempted from the obligation to obtain a work permit to work in Albania. However, they must obtain a written confirmation from the competent authority confirming this status.

Visa and residence permits for employees and foreign investors

Some countries whose citizens are holders of ordinary passports (EU, USA but also other countries) can enter Albania without a visa. The list of countries whose citizens can enter Albania is approved by the Council of Ministers of Albania. Presentation of valid passport or other valid travelling document at border checkpoint will suffice and the traveler will be granted with a stay permit of 90 days in Albania.

The type of visas granted are:

Type A: Airport transit visa with one entry which allows the holder to remain in the international zone of the airport until the departure of their flight to their final destination. 

Type C: Short term residence visa which allows the holder to remain in the Albanian territory for up to 90 days of a 180 day period.

Type D: Long term residence visa, valid for one year, which allows the holder to stay in Albania for up to 90 days of a 180 day period and to apply for the issuance of a residence permit. 

Foreign citizens that reside in Albania for more than 90 days (cumulative) during a period of 180 days should apply and obtain a residence permit from the competent authority. There are different types of residence permits, which differ depending on the type of activity that the foreigner will perform in Albania. The most common type of residence permit granted for employment purposes is residence permit for employment purposes which is granted in compliance with the conditions of the work permit and Residence permit for the self-employed which is granted to self-employed persons in compliance with the conditions of a work permit. Other types of residence permit granted are:

• Residence permit type A, not renewable, which entitles its holder to stay in Albania within the period for which it is issued
• Residence permit type B, renewable, issued for a defined period and entitles its holder to enter, stay and exit in/from the Republic of Albania within the period defined therein
• Residence permit type C which is issued for an undefined period and entitles its holder to enter, stay and exit in/from the Republic of Albania
• Residence permit type S renewable after a 6 month interruption period, which is issued for seasonal works and entitles its holder to enter, stay, and exit in/from the Republic of Albania within the period defined therein
• Residence permit Blue Card AL, renewable, which is issued for a defined period for highly qualified employees and entitles its holder to enter, stay and exit in/from the Republic of Albania within the period defined therein
• Residence permit Blue Card AL-C, which is issued for an undefined period only for highly qualified employees and entitles its holder to enter, stay and exit in/from the Republic of Albania.

Citizens of the USA have a more favorable regime, according to which they can stay in Albania for at least one year without a residence permit. US citizens are entitled to obtain the first residence permit for a period of five years.

Visa and residence for contracts with the government

As a rule, there are no special visa, working and residence rules for foreigners that travel and stay in Albania and work under a contract with the Albanian Government. If the contract is approved by the Albanian parliament, certain facilities may be provided in the contract such as undertaking of the government to procure working and residence permits on behalf of the private party’s employees.