Moving to Albania: a step-by-step checklist for Ukrainians

Ukrainian documents for a residence permit must be issued no earlier than 6 months before you apply — don’t get them too early.

1. Check your international passport

   Ukrainians enter Albania visa-free, and under the government decision of 10.04.2026 may stay without a residence permit until 30.03.2027. Since 29.10.2025 international passports are no longer extended — a new one (age 16+) can be issued at the embassy in Tirana.

   Details: Albania visa · Temporary protection and statuses for Ukrainians · Embassy of Ukraine in Albania

2. Choose your residence permit basis

   Staying under the government decision gives no right to work and only lasts until 30.03.2027. For a longer stay you need a residence permit: through property, work (leje unike), business, Digital Nomad or family reunification. The basis determines the documents and the amount on your account.

   Details: Residence permit in Albania · Residence, permanent residence and citizenship: key rules · Financial guarantee for a residence permit

3. Criminal record certificate with apostille

   It is on the document list for the Digital Nomad permit. Order a paper extract with an apostille via Diia or the Ministry of Internal Affairs service — an electronic extract cannot be apostilled. Diia only delivers within Ukraine, so from abroad you’ll need a trusted person.

   Details: Document translation and apostille · Digital Nomad residence permit

4. Apostille on Ukrainian documents

   Albanian authorities won’t accept a Ukrainian document without an apostille. Civil registry certificates are apostilled by the Ministry of Justice, education documents by the Ministry of Education, the criminal record extract by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. An official translator (përkthyes zyrtar) translates into Albanian, and a notary certifies the signature.

   Details: Document translation and apostille

5. Marriage certificate and family documents

   For a family reunification permit the marriage certificate must be no older than 6 months, with an apostille, Albanian translation and notarisation. There are few translators from Ukrainian — book one in advance.

   Details: Residence permit for family reunification · Document translation and apostille

6. Work and education documents

   Digital Nomads need a diploma and an employment contract, translated and notarised, plus a 12-month bank statement. For a business permit — diplomas or certificates relevant to the business, also translated and certified.

   Details: Digital Nomad residence permit · Residence permit through business

7. Your child’s school reports

   A Ukrainian school report or education certificate is recognised in Albania via e-Albania — with an apostille and a sworn Albanian translation. Review takes 30 days, so prepare the documents before you move.

   Details: School and kindergarten for children

8. Health insurance

   Ukraine’s state medical guarantee programme does not work in Albania. For family reunification and Digital Nomad permits the law explicitly requires health insurance — a 1-year policy from an Albanian insurer. For other bases, check the document list on e-Albania.

   Details: Health insurance and medical care

9. Budget and financial guarantee

   Roughly, one person needs ≈57,000 LEK a month excluding rent, a family of four ≈210,000 LEK. For a residence permit your Albanian bank account must hold at least 300,000 LEK (property), 408,000 LEK (Digital Nomad) or 500,000 LEK (business).

   Details: Cost of living in Albania · Financial guarantee for a residence permit

10. Keep your Ukrainian number

    Keep it as a second SIM or eSIM for SMS from banks and Diia, turn off mobile data on it and make a paid action from time to time. “Roam like at home” does not apply in Albania.

    Details: SIM cards and mobile internet

11. Plan the journey

    There are no direct flights from Ukraine: people usually fly to Tirana from Poland (≈2 hours), Hungary, Romania or Moldova. There are buses with changes (1.5–2 days) and ferries from Italy to Durrës and Vlora. Men aged 18–22 need a military registration document to leave Ukraine; older men need a ground under the border-crossing rules.

    Details: How to get from Ukraine to Albania · Ferries to and from Albania

12. Driving? Get a Green Card

    Albania is part of the Green Card system — make sure the AL code on your policy isn’t crossed out. Buy it in advance: since 2025 a policy only starts from the next day. Kosovo is not in the system. A car with Ukrainian plates may stay in Albania up to 6 months within 12.

    Details: How to get from Ukraine to Albania · How to sort out a car

Phone, housing, bank and notifying the police of your address — within the first 10 days.

1. From the airport to your city

   From Tirana airport the bus to central Tirana costs 400 LEK, to Durrës 600 LEK, to Vlora 1,200 LEK. There is no direct bus to Saranda — go via the Jug-Veri bus station in Tirana. The official taxi to central Tirana is ≈2,200 LEK.

   Details: Tirana Airport (TIA, Rinas) · Bus Durrës — Tirana Airport

2. Buy an Albanian SIM card

   There are two operators: Vodafone and One. Buy at a branded store with your passport — they register the number and activate a plan on the spot. Monthly plans start at ≈1,100 LEK; Vodafone sells a tourist eSIM online.

   Details: SIM cards and mobile internet

3. Notify the police of your address

   Every foreigner, even visa-free, must tell the migration police where they live within 10 days of arriving or moving. You can do it yourself or through a hotel, landlord or employer — hotels usually do it for you.

   Details: Address registration

4. Find a place to live

   A one-bedroom flat outside the centre costs roughly ≈430 € a month in Tirana, ≈295 € in Durrës and ≈375 € in Vlora. On the coast flats are let to tourists in summer, so long-term rentals are best found in September–October with the price fixed for a year. The deposit is usually one month’s rent.

   Details: Renting a home: lease and deposit · Cost of living in Albania

5. Notarised rental contract

   A residence permit usually requires a notarised contract for at least 12 months (mandatory for Digital Nomads). You’ll need the same contract to register your address at Gjendja Civile and at the bank. Write into it who pays utilities and building maintenance.

   Details: Renting a home: lease and deposit

6. Buying a flat

   Foreigners can buy flats without a residence permit or a company. Check a fresh ASHK ownership certificate and that there is no mortgage or seizure; the deal is signed only before a notary, and registration with ASHK is filed within 30 days. For a permit the area must be at least 20 + 10 m² per family member (30 m² for a single owner).

   Details: How to buy an apartment in Albania · Residence permit through property

7. Open an Albanian bank account

   Many permit bases require a statement showing a balance in an Albanian bank. Bring your passport, proof of address (e.g. a rental contract) and documents on the source of funds. Without a residence permit it’s the bank’s call: some branches open an account, some refuse.

   Details: How to open a bank account · Financial guarantee for a residence permit

8. Electricity, water and internet

   Electricity is supplied by OSHEE; bills can be paid without commission at the post office. Home internet is usually connected within a day, installation and router are free.

   Details: Utilities and internet

9. Durrës: buses and shopping

   A city bus ride is 40 LEK in cash on board; to Tirana 200 LEK, about 35 minutes. EXTRA, SPAR and DIAMBE supermarkets are in every district, and the Iliria98 chain usually has the best exchange rate.

   Details: Durrës city buses · Intercity buses from Durrës · Where to shop in Durrës

10. Vlora: where to buy groceries

    Meat, eggs and milk — at Haso Hipermarket (cards accepted) and Albidea shops; fresh vegetables — from street stalls in the centre.

    Details: Where to buy groceries in Vlora

11. Save your city map

    The city maps show offices, healthcare, groceries, transport and other useful addresses.

    Details: Durrës · Tirana · Vlora · Saranda

Application on e-Albania, provisional permit, address at Gjendja Civile, biometrics and the card — in that order.

1. Documents for a property-based permit

   A flat with an ownership certificate (1 or 2 owners) and at least 20 + 10 m² per person, an Albanian bank statement with a balance of 300,000 LEK or more, passport and 47×36 mm photos. Other family members apply via family reunification.

   Details: Residence permit through property

2. Documents for the Digital Nomad permit

   Passport, 47×36 mm photos, criminal record certificate, a statement showing 408,000 LEK or more in an Albanian bank, diploma and employment contract with translation, a rental contract of 12 months or more and insurance. Some documents can be replaced at online submission by a Form 10 declaration — originals are submitted after entry.

   Details: Digital Nomad residence permit

3. Business and documents for a business permit

   First register a sole proprietorship or SH.P.K. with QKB via e-Albania and get a NIPT. The permit requires a genuinely operating business, a business plan in Albanian in the prescribed form and 500,000 LEK on the account. The first permit is issued for 1 year.

   Details: Residence permit through business · How to start a business in Albania

4. Documents for family reunification

   Spouses, civil partners, children and parents of an Albanian citizen or a foreigner with a residence permit can apply. You need a passport, 47×36 mm photos, proof of housing, Albanian health insurance, the sponsor’s ID document and an apostilled marriage certificate. If the sponsor is a foreigner — also proof of funds.

   Details: Residence permit for family reunification

5. Single permit (leje unike) for work

   Employment is only possible with a leje unike — it combines the right to reside and to work. The application on e-Albania is filed by the foreigner, the employer or a licensed agency; by law the review takes 4 weeks. Working without a permit means a fine of 350,000–400,000 LEK for both worker and employer.

   Details: Working in Albania

6. Apply on e-Albania

   Pay the fee with the “Payment Mandat” form at any Albanian bank and upload documents in “New Application”. For property, business and Digital Nomad a D visa follows: form on e-visa.al, ≈15 working days of review (you must leave Albania meanwhile), entry within 90 days and originals by post within 30 days.

   Details: How a residence permit application is reviewed · Residence permit through property

7. Get the provisional permit

   The temporary electronic permit is issued within 1 working day after the application is accepted; it is valid for 1 month and extended by an online request. If asked to upload more documents, you have 30 days (1 week for leje unike). The permit term counts from the provisional permit date.

   Details: How a residence permit application is reviewed

8. Register your address at Gjendja Civile

   After the Njoftim approval letter, register your address at your municipality’s civil status office within 30 days. Bring the printed Njoftim, passport and a housing document. Without registration the permit is cancelled, and the fine is 3,000 LEK.

   Details: Address registration · What to do after your permit is approved

9. Coupon, biometrics and the card

   The residence card coupon (5,700 LEK) is bought at a Posta Shqiptare branch — keep it, it is required at biometrics. The card is made in about two weeks.

   Details: What to do after your permit is approved

10. Note your renewal window

    Renewals are filed on e-Albania no earlier than 2 months and no later than 1 day before the permit expires. Staying outside Albania for more than 180 days can be a ground for refusal or cancellation.

    Details: Residence, permanent residence and citizenship: key rules

Once you have the residence card: school, doctor, car, taxes and consular matters.

1. School and kindergarten

   Foreign children have the right to education, state schools are free and teaching is in Albanian. First grade enrolment from age 6 is via e-Albania; kindergartens (kopsht) and nurseries (çerdhe) are run by municipalities. Ukrainian subjects can be studied remotely through the Ministry of Education’s Ukrainian studies component.

   Details: School and kindergarten for children · Durrës with kids

2. Family doctor and insurance

   Once you have the permit, go to the health centre (qendra shëndetësore) for your address with your passport and card. The voluntary FSDKSH contribution is ≈3,400 LEK a month, with services available after 6 months. Emergency care is free: ambulance 127, single number 112.

   Details: Health insurance and medical care · Hospitals, pharmacies and services in Durrës

3. Driving licence and car

   You can drive on a Ukrainian licence for up to 1 year of residence; it cannot be exchanged for an Albanian one — after that, driving school and DPSHTRR exams. A purchased car must be re-registered within 30 days, which requires a residence permit; TPL insurance is compulsory.

   Details: How to sort out a car

4. Taxes

   You become an Albanian tax resident after 183 days in the country in a year or if you have a permanent home there — then worldwide income is declared. The annual return is due by 31 March in e-Filing. There is no double taxation treaty with Ukraine.

   Details: Taxes for foreign residents

5. Embassy of Ukraine

   Embassy in Tirana: appointments via e-Consul; it issues international passports and powers of attorney. Men aged 18–60 need a military registration document from Reserve+ generated no earlier than 3 days before the visit.

   Details: Embassy of Ukraine in Albania

6. Start learning Albanian

   A few dozen phrases make visits to offices, doctors and shops easier. The phrasebook and trainer on this site are free.

   Details: Albanian language · Phrasebook

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