Residence Permits and Visas

The 90-day baseline

Many nationalities enter Albania visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Albania has at times granted longer allowances to particular nationalities on a seasonal basis. Because these are unilateral Albanian decisions, they change without much notice.

Residence routes

• Employment — sponsored by an Albanian employer.
• Self-employment or business — through a registered Albanian entity.
• Study — at a recognised institution.
• Family reunification — with an Albanian citizen or a legal resident.
• Property ownership — as a ground for residence in certain circumstances.
• The unique-employee / remote-worker route introduced in 2022, aimed at people employed abroad and working from Albania.

How applications work in practice

Applications run through the e-Albania portal and the border and migration authorities. Supporting documents issued abroad generally need an apostille and a certified Albanian translation. Many applicants use a local lawyer or agent, not because it is required but because the process is in Albanian and in person.

Tax residence is a separate question

Being resident for immigration purposes and being resident for tax purposes are different tests. Spending more than 183 days in Albania in a calendar year is the usual threshold for tax residence, but the interaction with your home country's rules and any double-taxation treaty is a matter for a qualified adviser.

Where to check

The Albanian Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the e-Albania portal, and your own country's foreign ministry travel advice. Any date-stamped summary — including this one — is a starting point only.