Foreign investors setting up a business or branch in Albania often ask how to appoint a legal representative in Albania.
Albanian company law requires each company to have at least one administrator, who acts as the legal representative of the company before third parties, government authorities, and courts.
This appointment is a formal legal process that must be officially registered to take legal effect.
Legal Process for Appointment
The process to appoint a legal representative in Albania starts with a shareholders’ meeting or a shareholders’ resolution approving the appointment. This resolution must name the individual selected as administrator and outline the powers granted to them under the company’s articles of association or internal governance rules.
The appointment resolution must be notarized in Albania or legalized (apostille) and officially translated into Albanian if signed abroad.
The company must then file an application with the National Business Center (QKB) to register the appointment of the legal representative. This application includes: the notarized resolution, identification documents of the appointed individual, and their formal acceptance of the role.
Effective Date and Registration
The appointment becomes legally effective only after it is registered with the QKB. Until registration is complete, any prior administrator remains the official legal representative of the company.
Registration ensures the new representative is recognized in official records and has authority to act on behalf of the company in all legal, financial, and operational matters.
Can a Foreign National Be Appointed
Yes—foreign nationals can be appointed as the legal representative (administrator) of an Albanian company. The individual must obtain a tax identification number (NIPT) in Albania but is not required to be a resident unless additional sector-specific rules apply.
To appoint a legal representative in Albania, companies must pass a shareholders’ resolution, notarize or legalize documents, and register the appointment with the National Business Center. Working with professionals ensures compliance with legal formalities and smooth registration.