AlbaniaUA

Residence permit through business

Albania residence permit through your own business (sole trader or LLC): requirements, business plan in Albanian, 500,000 LEK guarantee, documents, visa D, timelines.

Updated

In the account
500 000 LEK
Business plan
In Albanian
First permit
1 year
Then
2 + 2 years
Share:TelegramViberWhatsApp

Key requirements

  • A real business

    Registering as self-employed or setting up an LLC and forgetting about it is not enough — the company has to actually operate.

  • Business plan

    A large document in the prescribed format, in Albanian. Be ready to describe your plans in detail, including the financials. An electronic version is enough.

  • Financial guarantee

    Account balance of at least 500 000 LEK.

  • Duration

    The first residence permit is issued for 1 year, then renewed for 2 years and another 2. After that you can apply for a permanent residence permit.

Documents for the residence permit

Uploaded to e-Albania when you apply; the originals are sent by post after you enter the country.

  1. 01Passport
  2. 02Photos 47×36 mmTaken within the last 6 months
  3. 03Application processing fee≈80 €
  4. 04Bank account statementBalance of at least 500 000 LEK (or the equivalent in any currency)
  5. 05Diplomas, education certificatesRelevant to the business activity; translated into Albanian and notarised
  6. 06Rental agreementPreferably notarised — that is usually what they ask for
  7. 07Business planIn the prescribed format, in Albanian, electronic version
  8. 08Company or sole trader registration certificateYou may additionally be asked for a register extract

Documents for the D visa

Uploaded to the application form on e-visa.al.

  1. 01Passport
  2. 02Photos 47×36 mmTaken within the last 6 months
  3. 03Diplomas, education certificatesTranslated into Albanian
  4. 04Bank account statement for the last 12 monthsFrom any bank
  5. 05Rental agreementOr a certificate for property owned by the applicant
  6. 06Company or sole trader registration certificate

Step by step

The procedure is the same for most bases: first the residence permit application, then the D visa, entry and the originals by post.

  1. 1Application on e-Albania. On the service page, fill in and download the «Payment Mandat» fee form and pay it at any Albanian bank. Next comes the «New Application» form: upload your documents, save the application number and use «Search» to download the completed application.
  2. 2D visa application form. You will receive an email from e-visa.al. In your account, under «Applications», open the draft form, fill it in and upload the documents.
  3. 3Consular fee. Once the documents are checked, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sends the payment details — 50–100 € depending on citizenship. The visa takes about 15 working days to process; you have to leave Albania during this time.
  4. 4Enter on the D visa — within 90 days of its issue.
  5. 5Originals by post. Within 30 days of entry, send the migration office the residence permit application, the printed D visa and the full set of documents.
  6. 6Temporary permit. You will receive an email with the temporary (provisional) permit — a sign that the application has been accepted for review. How the deadlines are counted — in the guide to the review process.
  7. 7Approval and the card. After the Njoftim letter — register your address at Gjendja Civile, buy the biometrics coupon (5 700 LEK), give your biometrics, and 10–14 days later you get the plastic card. More about this stage.

How much it costs

  • Residence permit application fee≈80 €
  • Consular fee for the D visa50–100 € (depends on citizenship)
  • Biometric card coupon5 700 LEK

Renewal

  • The renewal application is submitted on e-Albania no earlier than 60 days and no later than 1 day before the card expires.
  • To renew a residence permit, you must not have been outside Albania for more than 180 days.
  • General rules on residence permits, permanent residence and citizenship — in a separate guide.
Document lists and the procedure follow VKM № 858/2021, Joint Instruction № 137 of 15.07.2026 and the service descriptions on e-Albania. Euro amounts are approximate applicant costs. Requirements change from time to time — before applying, check the current list on the e-Albania service page.

FAQ

Is it realistic to get an Albania residence permit through a business?

Yes, but it's not the easiest route: you need a genuinely operating business (sole trader or LLC), a business plan in Albanian in the prescribed format and 500,000 LEK in the account.

How long is a business residence permit issued for?

The first one is for 1 year, then it's renewed for 2 years and another 2. After that you can apply for permanent residence.

Do I need a business plan for an Albania residence permit?

Yes. It's a substantial document in a prescribed format, in Albanian, describing your plans, including financial ones. An electronic version is enough.

Something changed or spotted a mistake?

Prices, timetables and addresses in Albania change — let us know and we’ll update.

See also

Site search

Albania Residence Permit Through Business: Plan, 500,000 LEK