Every way into Albania.

The Type C short-stay visa is Albania's standard tourist entry for nationals who are not visa-exempt, allowing up to 90 days of stay within any 180-day period counted from first entry. It is applied for online through the official e-Visa portal (e-visa.al) and can be issued for single, double or multiple entries with validity of up to 5 years, though each visit is still capped at 90 days. The standard government fee is EUR 60 for the e-Tourist category; a 2025 reform rewards compliant travel, so applicants who have lawfully used three short-term visas within two years may qualify for one-year, then two-year and five-year multiple-entry visas. Most Schengen Annex II, EU, US and UK nationals are visa-free for 90 days and do not need this visa; US citizens additionally benefit from a bilateral one-year visa-free stay for tourism. The visa does not lead to residence; longer stays require a Type D long-stay visa and a Unique Permit. Decisions are normally issued within about 15 working days (longer in peak season), and the electronic visa must be presented on entry and exit.

Government fee

€60

Processing time

15 days

Max stay

90 days

Validity

1,825 days

A transit visa within the Type C short-stay framework allows non-exempt foreign nationals to pass through Albanian territory en route to a third country, including airport transit where required. Stay is limited to the short period needed for the transit (typically up to 5 days), and the visa is issued for single or multiple transits. It is filed through the official e-Visa portal at the standard short-stay tier (around EUR 60), and applicants must hold the entry documents and onward ticket for the destination country. Travellers who already hold a valid, previously used multiple-entry Schengen visa or residence permit, or equivalent EU/US/UK documents, are generally exempt and do not need a separate Albanian transit visa.

Government fee

€60

Processing time

15 days

Max stay

5 days

Validity

180 days

The Type C business e-Visa lets non-exempt foreign professionals and corporate representatives enter Albania for commercial purposes such as meetings, contract negotiations, trade fairs and professional conferences, without being employed by an Albanian entity. It permits up to 90 days of stay within any 180-day period and can be single, double or multiple entry, valid for up to 5 years. The category requires deeper corporate verification and carries a higher government fee (EUR 120) than the tourist visa, and an invitation letter from the inviting Albanian company or organisation stating the purpose and duration is the key supporting document. It does not authorise local employment or lead to residence; foreigners coming to work or stay long term need a Type D visa plus a Unique Permit (which covers a 'business traveller' category for those present more than one month a year). Applications are filed at e-visa.al and decided within roughly 15 working days.

Government fee

€120

Processing time

15 days

Max stay

90 days

Validity

1,825 days

Foreigners enrolled at a public or private Albanian educational institution apply online through e-Albania for a student residence permit. The permit is valid for 12 months and is renewed annually until the diploma is issued, conditional on good academic standing and regular attendance. Required evidence includes a letter of acceptance from the institution, proof of financial means to support the studies and health insurance. Student permit holders may work up to 15 hours per week alongside their studies without a separate work permit. After graduation, the student permit can be replaced by a permit allowing a further 9 months in Albania to seek employment or start a business. Study-based residence is a recognised category under the Law on Foreigners and the related study sub-categories (free training, scientific researcher) follow similar rules.

• Work: up to 15 h/week
• Study: Authorises enrolment at the named Albanian institution.
• Residency after 5 years

Processing time

60 days

Validity

365 days

Albania does not issue a separately branded 'digital nomad visa'; remote workers use the Unique Permit (Leje Unike) under the 'digital mover'/remote-worker category created by Law 79/2021 and operational via the e-Albania portal. It is for foreigners working remotely for an employer or clients outside Albania, who must show a valid employment contract or foreign service agreement, a police clearance certificate, proof of sufficient income and health insurance. The permit is typically issued for one year and renewable, and after renewal can extend to a two-year term. Visa-required nationals first obtain a Type D visa; visa-free nationals (EU/US/UK/Western Balkans and Schengen Annex II) can apply for the permit directly after entry. There is no fixed statutory income figure published specifically for remote workers - applicants must demonstrate self-sufficiency from foreign income - and the permit fee is modest (reported around 4,500 ALL / roughly EUR 45, subject to visa-fee reciprocity). Time spent on the Unique Permit counts toward permanent residence after 5 years of continuous legal residence and naturalisation after 7 years.

• Work: Work is for foreign employers/clients only; not for the local Albanian labour market.
• Study: Incidental study permitted; formal study uses the student permit.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family members may join via family reunification.

Processing time

60 days

Validity

365 days

The self-employment Unique Permit is for foreigners operating as sole traders, freelancers or registered 'person fizik' who carry out an independent economic activity in Albania. It is granted where there is economic interest, the activity is expected to have a positive impact on the economy, and the applicant has the capital to execute the business idea. The permit is processed through e-Albania, generally issued for one year and renewable, with progression to permanent residence after 5 years of continuous legal residence and naturalisation after 7 years. There is no single fixed capital threshold for ordinary self-employment (unlike the investor category), but applicants must evidence viable funds and a credible business plan. Visa-required nationals first obtain a Type D visa.

• Work: Authorises the registered self-employed activity in Albania.
• Study: Incidental study permitted.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family members may join via family reunification.

Processing time

60 days

Validity

365 days

For highly qualified professionals with an Albanian job offer, the Unique Permit is issued in a dedicated highly qualified category (the AL Blue Card under the Law on Foreigners), valid for two years and renewable. The foreigner must have received prior approval from the National Employment and Skills Agency for qualified employees and hold relevant higher qualifications or specialised experience. A permanent variant (AL-C Blue Card) exists for highly qualified workers who reach the long-term residence threshold. The two-year term and streamlined treatment make this the principal route for skilled migration into Albania; salary must match Albanian norms for the role. Residence under the AL Blue Card counts toward permanent residence after 5 years and naturalisation after 7 years.

• Work: Authorises highly qualified employment; AL Blue Card facilitates mobility and family reunification.
• Study: Incidental study permitted.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family reunification available, with facilitated treatment for Blue Card holders.

Processing time

60 days

Validity

730 days

The employment Unique Permit is the standard combined work-and-residence authorisation for foreigners hired by an Albanian employer. Introduced by Law 79/2021 and processed through e-Albania since 2022, it merges the former separate work permit, residence permit and certificate of exemption into a single online application, with an expected processing time of around two months. The permit is generally issued for the duration of the employment relationship (commonly one year, renewable, with progression to longer terms and ultimately permanent residence after 5 years). Employers must declare the worker and meet labour-market conditions; salary must be consistent with prevailing Albanian rates for the role. Visa-required nationals first obtain a Type D visa; visa-free nationals apply directly after arrival. Continuous legal employment-based residence counts toward permanent residence (5 years) and naturalisation (7 years).

• Work: Authorises employment with the sponsoring Albanian employer.
• Study: Incidental study permitted.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family members may join via family reunification once the sponsor holds a 1-year permit.

Processing time

60 days

Validity

365 days

The intra-company transfer Unique Permit allows multinational groups to move managers, specialists and trainee employees into an Albanian branch or group entity. The transferring employee must have worked with the foreign 'mother' company for at least 6 consecutive months as an administrator or specialist, or at least 3 consecutive months as a graduated intern, hold the relevant professional qualification and have entered Albania legally. The permit is issued for up to two years and renewable, and is processed online via e-Albania as part of the combined permit framework. It supports corporate mobility while maintaining the same group employment relationship; continuous legal residence under it counts toward permanent residence after 5 years.

• Work: Work confined to the Albanian group entity under the assignment.
• Study: Incidental study permitted.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family members may join via family reunification.

Processing time

60 days

Validity

730 days

Foreigners who own residential property in Albania can obtain a residence permit on the ground of 'use of real estate', one of the residence categories under the Law on Foreigners processed via e-Albania. The applicant must hold a registered ownership certificate; in practice authorities expect ownership of at least 50% of the property and a habitable residential unit, with reported practice referencing properties around EUR 200,000 and minimum living area. The permit is generally issued for one year and renewable. It is not a fast-track investment programme and does not create a separate path to citizenship beyond ordinary naturalisation, but the time held counts toward permanent residence after 5 years of continuous legal residence. Health insurance and proof of means are required. Albania has no statutory minimum purchase price fixed in primary legislation for this route, so confirm current practice with the Border and Migration authority before purchasing.

• Study: Incidental study permitted.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family members may join via family reunification.

Processing time

60 days

Validity

365 days

The investor Unique Permit is Albania's residency-by-investment route under Law 79/2021 and supplementing 2022 government instructions. The foreigner must make an investment of not less than ALL 10,000,000 (about EUR 100,000), maintain an employment/management ratio of at least 1 foreigner to 5 Albanians, and pay wages at least equal to the average Albanian salary for the relevant positions. The permit is issued for two years and renewable. It is a residence permit, not a citizenship route: Albania's separate citizenship-by-investment ('special interest') scheme under Law 113/2020 has been on hold since March 2023 pending the EU's review of comparable programmes. Investor residence counts toward permanent residence after 5 years of continuous legal residence and naturalisation after 7 years. Applications are processed online via e-Albania.

• Work: Authorises management of the invested business activity.
• Study: Incidental study permitted.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family members may join via family reunification.

Processing time

60 days

Validity

730 days

Min. investment

ALL 10,000,000

Foreign retirees entitled to a pension in their home country can obtain an Albanian residence permit under the pensioner/'other reasons' category processed via e-Albania. Applicants must show pension income of around ALL 1,200,000 per year (roughly EUR 12,000-13,000, approx. USD 10,500), notarised proof of accommodation (lease or property) and health insurance valid in Albania for at least one year. The permit is generally issued for one year and renewable. Albania's low cost of living and territorial-leaning tax treatment of foreign pensions make it a popular retirement base. Time held counts toward permanent residence after 5 years of continuous legal residence and naturalisation after 7 years. The income figure is the practical benchmark applied by the Border and Migration authority rather than a single fixed statutory amount, so confirm the current threshold before applying.

• Study: Incidental study permitted.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Spouse may join via family reunification.

Processing time

60 days

Validity

365 days

Family members of a foreigner legally resident in Albania - or of an Albanian citizen - may obtain a residence permit through family reunification, processed via e-Albania. The sponsor must generally have held a residence permit valid for at least one year, and must show adequate housing, health insurance and sufficient financial means so the family does not become dependent on public welfare. Eligible members are mainly the spouse, minor or dependent children and dependent parents. The permit tracks the sponsor's status and is renewable; reunified family members build toward permanent residence after 5 years of continuous legal residence. Spouses of Albanian citizens benefit from a faster citizenship route (naturalisation after 3 years of marriage and 1 year of residence, with language and residence requirements relaxed).

• Work: Reunified spouses/adult dependants may generally access the labour market subject to permit terms.
• Study: Children may enrol in education.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Covers spouse, minor/dependent children and dependent parents.

Processing time

60 days

Validity

365 days

Under Law 113/2020 on Citizenship, persons of Albanian descent or origin enjoy facilitated access to Albanian nationality. Children of Albanian citizens acquire citizenship by descent, and applicants able to prove a direct family line to an Albanian citizen within the second degree (at least one Albanian parent or grandparent) qualify with a reduced residence requirement of three years rather than the standard seven. Ethnic Albanians from neighbouring regions (North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Greece, Serbia) can access citizenship under special provisions on the basis of a self-declaration of Albanian origin and proof of descent within three generations. Albania permits dual citizenship with no renunciation requirement when nationality is acquired through descent or marriage. Applications and the supporting genealogical evidence are filed with the Albanian authorities/consulates; processing varies by case.

• Work: Citizenship confers full work rights.
• Study: Full access to education.
• Residency: Citizenship itself; descent within 2nd degree reduces residence to 3 years for those naturalising.
• Family: Children of citizens acquire citizenship by descent; dual nationality permitted.

The Type D long-stay visa is the gateway for foreign nationals who intend to reside in Albania for more than 90 days within a 180-day period and who require a visa in order to later obtain a residence permit. It is valid for one year, authorises a stay of 90 days, and may be single, double or multiple entry; the holder must then apply for the appropriate residence permit (most commonly a Unique Permit) after entering Albania. Type D underpins almost every residence route - work, self-employment, investor, study, family reunification, retirement and remote work. Many nationals (Schengen Annex II, EU, US, UK and Western Balkan citizens) can enter visa-free and apply for their permit directly without a Type D, so the visa is mainly required for nationals who are otherwise visa-required. Fees depend on nationality and reciprocity (commonly in the EUR 50-150 range). The visa itself does not confer residence; the subsequent permit does, and continuous legal residence builds toward permanent residence (5 years) and naturalisation (7 years).

• Study: Permitted where the residence ground is study, via the subsequent permit.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family members can follow via family reunification once the sponsor is resident.

Processing time

15 days

Max stay

90 days

Validity

365 days

Foreign nationals who have completed five years of continuous legal residence in Albania can apply for a permanent residence permit under Law 79/2021. Continuity is assessed strictly: an absence exceeding roughly six months in any twelve-month period (or large cumulative absences) can break continuity. The permanent permit is unlimited in duration and does not require the annual renewal of temporary permits, and the holder must demonstrate stable means, accommodation, health insurance and strong ties to Albania. Permanent residence is a prerequisite step for many applicants toward naturalisation, which requires seven years of continuous legal residence (with a valid permanent permit at the time of application), basic Albanian language ability and financial stability. Reduced requirements apply for spouses of citizens (3 years of marriage, 1 year residence) and persons of proven Albanian descent within the second degree (3 years).

• Work: Permanent residents have broad access to the labour market.
• Study: Full access to education.
• Residency after 7 years
• Family: Family members may hold or apply for their own permits.

Processing time

60 days