Working in Albania

• A foreigner works in Albania with a single permit unless a law or international agreement provides otherwise (Article 56 of Law № 79/2021). There are no exceptions for Ukrainians.
• An employer may not hire a foreigner without a legal basis for their stay and work.
• The fine for illegal employment is 350 000 to 400 000 LEK per person. It can be imposed on both the employer and the worker (Article 141).
• Don’t work without a permit “unofficially, while the paperwork goes through” either: working before approval is a violation that can cost you a future residence permit.
• If you have temporary protection, refugee status, or are a family member of a foreigner with a residence permit, AKPA approval is not required. What is happening with Ukrainians’ statuses — temporary protection and statuses.

• Employee (punëmarrës)

  The main permit for working under an employment contract. Issued for the term of the contract after approval by the AKPA employment service (Article 57).

• Seasonal worker (punëtor stinor)

  Up to 6 months per calendar year — for tourism, agriculture and the like. The next year the same employer can invite you again after a 6-month break (Article 58).

• «Karta blu AL»

  For highly qualified specialists: 2 years, renewable for 3. The contract salary must be no lower than the national average (Article 65).

• Intra-company transfer (TBN)

  For managers and specialists seconded by a foreign company to its unit in Albania — up to 3 years (Article 59).

• Self-employed (i vetëpunësuar)

  For your own business: up to 3 years, assessed by a Ministry of Economy commission (Article 67). More in the guide to the business residence permit.

• Digital nomad

  For those who work remotely for a foreign employer or clients: up to 1 year the first time, without AKPA approval (Article 68).

1. 1Find an employer willing to hire you officially. They register with AKPA and post the vacancy on the puna.gov.al portal for at least 5 days. The service checks whether there are candidates for the position among Albanians and other priority categories (Article 74).
2. 2Sign an employment contract in Albanian in line with the Labour Code.
3. 3Prepare your documents: a copy of your passport, a 47×36 mm photo (no older than 6 months), a housing declaration, proof of qualifications (diploma, certificate or CV). Documents from Ukraine need an Albanian translation and legalisation or an apostille, and must be no older than 6 months (translations and apostille).
4. 4Pay the fee and apply on e-Albania. The fee is not refunded, even if the application is rejected.
5. 5AKPA approves the employment, then the Border and Migration office makes a decision. By law, the review takes 4 weeks (Article 56 as amended in 2025); in practice it can take longer.
6. 6While the application is under review, you hold an electronic temporary permit. After approval, collect your biometric card and register your address — what to do after approval.

Until 30.03.2027 Ukrainians are in Albania legally, so they can apply from within the country. Check with the Border and Migration office whether you additionally need a D visa.

• Before hiring, check the residence and work permit and keep a copy of it for the whole period of employment.
• Notify the authorities of the start and end of the foreigner’s employment within a week. When the employer registers you in the tax system, the migration service and AKPA are notified automatically.
• Pay social and health contributions and withhold tax from the salary, just as for Albanian employees.
• If a foreigner was hired illegally, the employer must pay all outstanding wages, taxes and contributions, as well as the costs of the worker’s return.
• If you leave your job, the employer must notify the migration service within 2 weeks. Without a new job for more than 3 months a year (for those who have worked less than 3 years), the permit may be revoked.

• Working weekUp to 40 hours
• Working dayUp to 8 hours
• Probation periodUp to 3 months
• Annual leaveFrom 22 working days
• Work on public holidaysAt least +25% pay + a day off
• Contributions paid by the employer16.7%
• Contributions withheld from salary11.2%

• Minimum wage from 01.01.202650 000 LEK
• Average wage, Q2 202692 150 LEK
• Finance and insurance187 267 LEK
• Information and communication (IT)143 528 LEK
• Managers141 168 LEK
• Professionals119 152 LEK

Average wages — according to INSTAT data for Q2 2026 (published 10.09.2026), minimum wage — under CMD № 776 of 19.12.2025. About 26% of employees earn the minimum wage, so don’t rely on the average figure alone: negotiate your terms before signing the contract.

• Tourism and hotels on the coast — Durrës, Vlorë, Sarandë. The work is mostly seasonal (May–September), and there is a separate seasonal permit of up to 6 months for it.
• IT and digital services — the highest salaries after the financial sector. For highly paid specialists there is the «Karta blu AL».
• Remote work for foreign employers or clients — through the digital nomad residence permit, without looking for a local employer.
• Your own business — a sole trader or SH.P.K. and a self-employed permit.
• English or Italian is a noticeable advantage; customer-facing jobs often require Albanian too.

• puna.gov.al — the state job portal of the National Agency for Employment and Skills. It is also where employers post the vacancies required to hire a foreigner.
• AKPA — regional employment offices and free vocational training courses.
• Private employment agencies must hold a licence. Check it, and don’t pay for a “guaranteed visa” or “work permit”: permits are issued only by the state, and fees are paid on e-Albania.
• An offer to work “without papers now, we’ll sort it out later” is a reason to say no: both you and the employer face fines.

• For long-term residence with remote work, the law has a separate ground — the digital nomad residence permit. You need a contract with a foreign employer or client, sufficient income, housing and health insurance.
• Albanian tax residence: a person becomes resident if they have a permanent home here or spend 183 days or more in the country in a year (Law № 29/2023). A resident pays Albanian tax on all income, including foreign income.
• Ukraine determines tax residence under its own rules. We did not find a double taxation treaty between Ukraine and Albania in the available lists, so the risk of being taxed in both countries is real. Check your case with the State Tax Service of Ukraine and the Albanian tax administration.
• If you are a FOP (a Ukrainian sole proprietor), consult an accountant about where you are resident and where to pay taxes. More — taxes for Albanian residents.