Foreign citizens who wish to stay in Albania for more than 90 days must apply for a residency permit. The permit allows legal residence based on work, business, family, study, retirement, or other purposes, and is issued by the General Directorate of Border and Migration under the Ministry of Interior.
The process can be started either inside Albania or from abroad, depending on your nationality and entry method.
Who Can Apply
Any non-Albanian citizen with a valid reason for long-term stay may apply for a residence permit. Common categories include employment, business ownership, family reunification, study, pension income, or international agreements.
Applicants must show that they meet the legal criteria and provide documentation confirming the purpose of their stay.
Step-by-Step Application Process
The procedure begins by gathering the required documents based on your residence type. Once complete, you submit the application either at the local migration office in Albania or at the Albanian consulate in your home country.
Key steps include:
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Entry into Albania with a valid visa or visa-free status
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Preparation of all legal documents, translated and notarized
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Submission of the application to the relevant authority
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Biometric data appointment and fingerprinting
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Approval and issuance of the residence permit card
Applications submitted inside Albania must be filed within 30 days of arrival, unless a longer visa-free period applies.
Required Documents
While the exact documents depend on the permit type, most applications require:
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Valid passport with sufficient validity
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Recent passport-size photos
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Health insurance policy
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Proof of accommodation (lease or ownership contract)
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Clean criminal record from the applicant’s country
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Documents supporting the permit type (e.g., work contract, business registration, marriage certificate)
All foreign documents must be translated into Albanian and legalized (apostille or consular authentication, depending on origin).
Processing Time and Validity
Most permits are issued within 30 to 60 days after submission. Initial permits are valid for one year and may be renewed annually as long as the applicant continues to meet the conditions.
After five consecutive years of legal residence, you may apply for permanent residency.