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Concept listing for a law firm specialising in residence permits, property purchases and company formation for foreign clients. Placeholder text for layout purposes only.
Sample listingFeatured
⏱ When to apply
Within your first 30 days in Albania
🖥 Where
Online, on the e-Albania portal
💶 Cost
Small state fees — budget for translations and insurance
Most visitors enter visa-free for 90 days (US passport holders get a full year). For anything longer you need a residence permit under Albania's Law on Foreigners (79/2021) — and almost everything runs through the e-Albania portal.
Step by step
- Choose your routeA job with an Albanian employer, your own company, remote work for foreign clients (the Digital Mobile Worker route), property ownership, family or study. The route decides which documents you need.
- Secure your addressA long-term rental contract (6–12 months) or a property deed in your name. Hotels and short holiday lets don't count as an address.
- Prepare your documentsCriminal-record certificate from home (apostilled), health insurance covering the whole permit period, proof of income or savings, passport and photos.
- Apply on e-AlbaniaCreate an account, choose the residence permit or Unique Permit service for your route, upload the documents as PDFs and pay the fee online. Work routes use the Unique Permit — one application covering residence and work.
- Biometrics in personYou'll be called to the Border and Migration office for fingerprints and a photo — the one step that can't be done online.
- Collect your permitFirst permits usually run one year and renew online. After five continuous years you can apply for permanent residence.
Documents you'll need
- Passport, valid at least 3 months beyond the permit
- Long-term rental contract or property deed
- Criminal record certificate (apostilled)
- Health insurance covering the permit period
- Proof of income, savings or an employment contract
- Passport photos
Good to know
US citizens can stay a full year visa-free — but a permit still pays off for banking, health contributions and long-term renting.
Foreign documents need sworn translation into Albanian — budget a few days and a small fee for it.
Processing can take up to 12 weeks on paper; complete, correct applications usually finish much sooner.
Verified help on AlbGate
⚖️ Legal & Immigration — Browse the category →General information only — not legal, tax or medical advice. Rules, fees and requirements change, so confirm the details on e-Albania or with a verified professional before you act. Facts checked November 2026.