Albania Residency By Investment: The Ultimate Guide 2025
Updated: 10 August 2025
Thinking about Albania residency by investment?
You’re not alone.
Over the last few years, more and more investors, retirees, and remote workers have been looking at Albania as a place to live, invest, and build a future.
The country is affordable, it’s an EU candidate, and it’s opening doors through residency permits tied to investment, property, or income.
Here’s the catch: if you’ve ever tried Googling how to get residency here, you probably ran into the same problem most people do.
The information is scattered, often outdated, and full of legal jargon that doesn’t make much sense if you’re not a lawyer.
That’s why I put this guide together.
We’ll walk through every Residency by Investment option in Albania step by step, in plain English.
By the end, you’ll know exactly which path fits you, and what it takes to secure your permit.
Sound good? Let’s dive in.
Investor Permit
- Minimum: Investment set by law + 1:5 staff ratio + wages at national average
- Validity: 2 years, renewable
- Work Rights: Yes
- Family: Yes
Property Owner Permit
- Minimum: Own real estate (no set minimum value)
- Validity: 1 year, renewable
- Work Rights: No
- Family: Yes
Self-Employed / Entrepreneur
- Minimum: Viable business plan + capital
- Validity: Up to 3 years
- Work Rights: Yes, self-employed
- Family: Yes
Digital Mobile Worker
- Minimum: Remote contract + sufficient income
- Validity: 1 year, renewable
- Work Rights: Yes, remote work
- Family: Yes
Pensioner / Retirement Income
- Minimum: Annual pension ≥ 1,200,000 ALL (~€10,000) + Albanian bank account
- Validity: 1 year, renewable
- Work Rights: No
- Family: Yes
Investor Permit
If you’re serious about starting a business in Albania, this is the permit designed for you.
The Investor Permit is made for people who want to put money into the local economy, create jobs, and actually be part of the country’s growth.
It isn’t a simple “pay and stay” option.
The authorities want to see that your project is real, funded, and good for Albania.
At a glance:
Validity: 2 years, renewable
Work rights: Yes
Family: Spouse and dependent children included
Path: Counts toward permanent residence after 5 years and citizenship after 7
So what exactly do you need?
At the core, the government asks you to prove three things: your investment is genuine, your company employs Albanians in the correct ratio (one foreign worker for every five locals), and that salaries meet at least the national average.
Alongside that, you’ll submit the usual supporting documents like your company registration papers, proof of funds, payroll plan, a lease or property title for your address, health insurance, and a clean criminal record.
The process works in a few clear steps:
Register your company or investment structure
Submit the application online through the e-Albania portal
Attend a biometrics appointment at the Border and Migration office
Receive a provisional permit until your residence card is printed
Most people see the full process take between one and two months if the file is complete.
Where applicants run into trouble is usually in the details: vague business plans with no numbers, wages set below the average, or waiting until the very last minute to renew.
Property Owner Permit
For many people, the simplest way to start life in Albania is by buying a home here. The Property Owner Permit gives you the right to live in the country if you own real estate under your name.
At a glance:
Validity: 1 year, renewable
Work rights: No
Family: Spouse and dependent children included
Path: Counts toward permanent residence after 5 years and citizenship after 7
The law does not set a minimum property value. What matters is that the ownership is properly registered in the Albanian cadastre and in your name.
If the property is co-owned, your share must be at least half.
In practice, most successful applicants buy residential property of reasonable value, often an apartment in Tirana, Durrës, or along the coast.
To apply, you will need:
A notarized property title or purchase deed
Proof of accommodation (usually the same property)
Health insurance valid in Albania
A clean criminal record from your country of residence
The process is straightforward.
Once the property is purchased and registered, you submit your application through the e-Albania portal and attend your biometrics appointment.
The first permit is usually issued for one year and can be renewed annually as long as you keep the property.
One important point to note is that this permit does not grant work rights.
If you plan to take a job or run a business in Albania, you will need to apply for a separate work-based permit.
For families, this route is attractive because dependents can be included under the same framework.
And over time, the years you spend under a property permit count toward permanent residence and eventually citizenship.
Self-Employed / Entrepreneur Permit
If you want to start your own business in Albania or bring an existing one here, this is the route for you.
The Self-Employed Permit is meant for entrepreneurs who can show that their project will contribute to the economy and sustain itself financially.
At a glance:
Validity: Up to 3 years
Work rights: Yes, self-employed
Family: Spouse and dependent children included
Path: May qualify for permanent residence after 3 years if the business is successful
The government looks closely at your business plan.
It has to be realistic, funded, and show a positive impact, such as job creation or services that are valuable for the local market.
You also need to demonstrate that you have the capital to make it work.
What you’ll usually prepare includes:
A written business plan with financial forecasts
Proof of capital or funds to execute the plan
Registration of your company with the National Business Center
Basic requirements like accommodation, health insurance, and a clean criminal record
The application is submitted online through the e-Albania portal, followed by a biometrics appointment.
A committee under the Ministry of Economy reviews the business plan before the permit is granted.
If approved, you can receive a permit for up to three years, which gives you the breathing room to run and grow your venture.
The real benefit of this route is that after three years of operating a successful business, you can be considered for permanent residence.
That makes it one of the faster paths compared to other categories.
Where most entrepreneurs go wrong is underestimating the level of detail the authorities expect.
Submitting a one-page summary or vague financial numbers is rarely enough.
A clear plan with documented funding shows you’re serious.
Digital Nomad Permit
Albania is quickly becoming a hotspot for remote workers.
With affordable living, fast internet, and a location close to the EU, it’s an easy choice for digital nomads who want a legal base in the Balkans.
The Digital Nomad Permit is the residency option designed for exactly this group.
At a glance:
Validity: 1 year, renewable
Work rights: Yes, remote work only
Family: Spouse and dependent children included
Path: Counts toward permanent residence after 5 years and citizenship after 7
To qualify, you need to show that you work for a foreign employer or clients outside Albania.
That can be a contract with a company abroad, or proof of freelance work.
On top of that, you must have sufficient income, an address in Albania, valid health insurance, and a clean criminal record.
The application process is simple:
Submit your documents through the e-Albania portal
Show contracts or proof of remote income
Attend your biometrics appointment at the Border and Migration office
Receive a one-year permit, renewable if you continue to meet the conditions
What makes this route popular is flexibility.
You don’t need to set up a local company or hire staff, you just need to prove you’re working remotely and can support yourself.
For families, this option works well too.
Spouses and kids can be included, making it possible for digital nomads to relocate with dependents.
The main mistake applicants make is not preparing strong income proof.
Bank statements, contracts, or client invoices are the best way to show you meet the requirement.
Pensioner / Retirement Income Permit
If you’re retired and want to enjoy your time in Albania, this is the most straightforward residency option.
The Pensioner Permit is designed for people who receive a regular pension from abroad and want to make Albania their base.
At a glance:
Validity: 1 year, renewable
Work rights: No
Family: Spouse and dependent children included
Path: Counts toward permanent residence after 5 years and citizenship after 7
To qualify, you need to meet a few key requirements.
First, your annual pension must be at least 1,200,000 ALL (about €12,400).
Second, your pension has to be transferred into an Albanian bank account.
Third, you need the basics: a rental contract or property ownership for accommodation, valid health insurance, and a clean criminal record.
The application steps are simple:
Open an Albanian bank account and set up the pension transfer
Submit your documents through the e-Albania portal
Attend your biometrics appointment
Pick up your one-year residence card once approved
The permit is renewable every year as long as you keep meeting the income requirement and continue your pension transfers.
This option is attractive because it allows you to live in Albania without having to invest large sums or run a business.
Many retirees choose coastal areas like Vlorë, Sarandë, or Durrës for their affordable lifestyle and mild climate.
The main thing to remember is that this permit does not allow you to work.
If you plan to take on any paid activity, you’ll need to apply for a separate work permit.
How the Process Works
Whether you’re coming as an investor, property buyer, digital nomad, or retiree, the residency process follows the same core steps.
The only difference is whether you need a Type D visa before you start.
Step 1: Check if you need a Type D visa
If you are from a visa-exempt country (EU, Schengen area, US, UK, Canada and others), you can enter Albania visa-free for up to 90 days and start the residency process directly.
If you are from a visa-required country, you must apply for a Type D visa at an Albanian consulate before traveling. This visa is valid for one year, allows multiple entries, and proves you intend to stay long term.
Step 2: Enter Albania and register locally
Within 10 days of arrival, you must register your address at the regional Border and Migration office where you’ll live. This step is required for all applicants.
Step 3: Prepare your documents
Each residency category has its own requirements, but almost everyone will need:
A valid passport
Accommodation proof (rental contract or property deed)
Health insurance covering Albania
A criminal record certificate from your country of residence
Route-specific proof such as an investment file, property title, business plan, pension transfer, or remote work contract
Step 4: Apply through e-Albania
Applications are submitted online via the e-Albania portal. You upload your documents, fill in your details, and book your biometrics appointment.
Step 5: Attend biometrics
At the Border and Migration office, your fingerprints, photo, and signature are taken. This activates your application.
Step 6: Receive your provisional permit
Once accepted, you’ll receive a provisional permit that keeps you legal while your residence card is being produced.
Step 7: Collect your residence card
When your card is ready, you’ll be notified to pick it up. The card is your official proof of residency in Albania.
Step 8: Renew before expiry
Most permits last 1 year (2 for investors, up to 3 for entrepreneurs). Apply for renewal before it expires. As long as your conditions remain the same, renewals are usually smoother.
Lower cost of living
Everyday costs stay wallet-friendly while offering a solid lifestyle in Tirana or along the coast.
EU candidate country
Albania is on track for EU integration, giving long-term investors added confidence and stability.
Pathway to citizenship
Legal residence counts toward permanent status and eventually citizenship when requirements are met.
Family friendly
Spouses and dependent children are eligible under most permits, making relocation smoother together.
Growing investment opportunities
Real estate, tourism, and energy sectors are expanding, offering residency holders multiple avenues to grow capital.
Simple permit process
Albania’s residency applications are straightforward, with clear steps and relatively fast processing times.
Permanent Residence and Citizenship
Getting a residence permit is only the first step.
Many people who choose Albania also want to know what comes after.
Can you stay long term?
Can you eventually become a citizen?
The answer is yes, and the rules are clear.
Permanent Residence (PR)
If you keep a valid residence permit for five consecutive years, you can apply for Permanent Residence.
This status gives you more stability and fewer renewals. To qualify, you must show that you have lived in Albania legally and continuously.
Short trips abroad are fine, but you cannot be absent for more than six months at once or ten months in total during the five years.
Once you hold Permanent Residence, the next step is citizenship. Albania currently allows you to apply for citizenship after seven years of legal residence.
You will also need to meet a few basic conditions such as having a stable income, accommodation, a clean criminal record, and a basic knowledge of the Albanian language.
Strategic Investment Shortcut
There is a special rule for people who are involved in strategic investments.
These investors may qualify for a faster route to Permanent Residence.
This is not common and usually applies only to large-scale projects.
For most foreign investors, retirees, and digital nomads, the path is the same: start with a residence permit, apply for Permanent Residence after five years, and then apply for citizenship after seven years.
Is there a minimum property value for the Property Owner Permit?
Can I work if I have a Property or Pensioner Permit?
How long does it take to get a residence permit?
Do family members qualify for residency too?
What documents are always required?
Is Permanent Residence automatic after five years?
Does time on any permit count toward citizenship?
What if I leave Albania for longer periods?
Where do I apply for residency?
Do I need a Type D visa first?
Plan Your Future In Albania With Havenbach Experts
Plan Your Future In Albania With Havenbach Experts
Get in Touch with Us
Have questions or need more details? Fill out the form, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Urgent?
+355 68 60 80 345
