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Pathway

Albania Self-Employment Residence

Albania Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

Albania offers residence and work permission for a genuine self-employed business that benefits the local economy. Applicants need a registered activity, a business proposal, relevant skills, and at least ALL 500,000 in available funds; a committee assesses the economic case.

Business
Registered Albanian activity with a credible proposal
Available funds
At least ALL 500,000 or the equivalent
Limits
Company registration alone does not secure residence

Summary

Albania’s self-employed residence route is for people proposing a business that a review committee accepts on its economic value, capital, and the applicant’s qualifications. Company registration is only part of the evidence. If approved, the permit can cover the planned activity for up to three years.

A real business proposal goes through economic assessment
  1. Define the local activity Check licensing, relevant skills, and the benefit to the Albanian economy.
  2. Prepare the registered business and funding Match the proposal, available funds, and qualifications to the required evidence.
  3. Apply and complete the approval steps Respond to committee requests and complete residence-card and address registration if approved.

This category has its own assessment; the separate business-investor requirements should not be substituted.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

Applicants must have a genuine self-employed activity and satisfy the general residence rules. The application needs:

The committee evaluates the economic interest, positive contribution, and capital behind the activity. These are substantive requirements, not a fixed-price company-registration package.

What This Route Allows

The unique permit combines residence and permission to carry out the approved self-employed activity. Article 67 allows a term linked to the planned activity, up to three years. Renewal depends on continuing compliance.

Article 67 also provides a possible permanent-residence application after three years of successful activity, with sufficient resources and the other applicable requirements. That is a separate assessment, not an automatic conversion.

EU citizens have a separate residence-registration system under Article 33/1, with its own rules for qualifying family members. Check that system before applying for an ordinary residence permit. U.S. and Kosovo citizens have a general five-year first-permit provision under Article 33(5); confirm how it applies to your category and rely on the validity actually issued.

What This Route Is Not

This is separate from business-investor residence, with its larger investment and staffing requirements, and from foreign remote work. A dormant company, a proposed future business, or funds without an economic case are insufficient. The permit does not grant unrestricted work elsewhere in Europe or citizenship.

Next Steps

  1. Have an Albanian advisor assess the proposed activity, licensing, and economic case before incurring setup costs.
  2. Prepare the business proposal, funding evidence, and qualifications; complete the required business registration.
  3. Confirm the appropriate visa and filing procedure, including whether filing from abroad is available in your circumstances.
  4. Apply through e-Albania, respond to the committee's requests, and complete residence-card and address-registration steps if approved.
  5. Keep business, tax, and licensing records current for renewal or any later permanent-residence application.

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Sources