Residence permit for family reunification
Documents for an Albania family reunification residence permit: joining an Albanian citizen or a foreign permit holder — for spouses, partners, children and parents.
Updated
- Who
- Spouses, children, parents
- Sponsor
- Citizen or foreign permit holder
- Foreign documents
- Up to 6 months old, apostille
- Housing
- 20 + 10 m² per person
Who can apply
A foreigner gets a residence permit through reunification if their relative is an Albanian citizen or a foreigner with a valid Albanian residence permit.
- Husband or wife, civil partner, children (minor and adult) and parents.
- A typical case: the flat used for a residence permit through property is registered to one or two owners, and the rest of the family applies through reunification.
- The home must fit the whole family: the guideline is 20 + 10 m² per family member (children under 5 are not counted).
General documents
Required in every category.
- 01Copy of a valid passport
- 02Photo 47×36 mm, taken within the last 6 months
- 03Proof of housing in Albania that meets housing standards: ownership certificate or rental agreement
- 04Proof of health insurance in Albania
Reunification with an Albanian citizen
Add the documents for your category to the general documents.
Husband or wife
General documents +
- Copy of the ID of the inviting Albanian citizen
- Marriage certificate — Albanian, or issued within the last 6 months in the country of origin, legalised (apostille), translated and notarised
Civil partner
General documents +
- Copy of the ID of the inviting Albanian citizen
- Proof of sufficient funds for the period of stay
- Notarised declaration of cohabitation for more than 1 year
- Marital status certificate for both partners — issued within the last 6 months in the country of origin, legalised (apostille), translated and notarised
Child (minor or adult)
General documents +
- Copy of the ID of the inviting Albanian citizen
- Notarised parental declaration — for a minor child
- Certificate proving the family relationship (legalised, translated, notarised)
Father or mother
General documents +
- Copy of the ID of the inviting Albanian citizen
- Proof of sufficient funds for the period of stay
- Certificate proving the family relationship (legalised, translated, notarised)
Reunification with a foreigner who holds an Albanian residence permit
For example, one spouse already has a residence permit through property or as a Digital Nomad.
Husband or wife
General documents +
- Copy of the passport and residence permit of the inviting foreigner
- Proof of sufficient funds for the period of stay
- Marriage certificate — issued within the last 6 months in the country of origin, legalised (apostille), translated and notarised
Civil partner
General documents +
- Copy of the passport and residence permit of the inviting foreigner
- Proof of sufficient funds for the period of stay
- Marital status certificate for both partners — issued within the last 6 months in the country of origin, legalised (apostille), translated and notarised
Child (minor or adult)
General documents +
- Copy of the passport and residence permit of the inviting foreigner
- Notarised parental declaration — for a minor child
- Proof of sufficient funds for the period of stay
- Certificate proving the family relationship — issued within the last 6 months in the country of origin, legalised (apostille), translated and notarised
Father or mother
General documents +
- Copy of the passport and residence permit of the inviting foreigner
- Proof of sufficient funds for the period of stay
- Certificate proving the family relationship — issued within the last 6 months in the country of origin, legalised (apostille), translated and notarised
How to apply
- The application is filed on e-Albania (the first-time residence permit service for property, family reunification and similar bases), followed by the D visa, entry and the originals by post.
- The steps are the same as for a residence permit through property; what to do after approval is in the guide to the Njoftim and biometrics.
- Documents from your country of origin (marriage, birth, marital status certificates) must be no older than 6 months, apostilled, translated into Albanian and notarised.
FAQ
Who can get an Albania residence permit for family reunification?
The husband or wife, civil partner, children and parents of an Albanian citizen or of a foreigner who holds a valid Albanian residence permit.
What documents does a spouse need for a residence permit?
A passport copy, a 47×36 mm photo, proof of housing, health insurance in Albania, the sponsor's document (a citizen's ID card or a foreigner's passport and permit) and a marriage certificate no older than 6 months, apostilled, translated and notarised. If the sponsor is a foreigner — also proof of sufficient funds.
How does a civil partner get a residence permit in Albania?
In addition to the general documents, you need proof of funds, a marital status certificate for both partners from the country of origin and, when joining an Albanian citizen, a notarised statement of living together for over 1 year.
Something changed or spotted a mistake?
Prices, timetables and addresses in Albania change — let us know and we’ll update.
See also
- Residence, permanent residence and citizenship: key rules
- Residence permit through property
- Digital Nomad residence permit
- Residence permit through business
- How a residence permit application is reviewed
- What to do after your permit is approved
- Financial guarantee for a residence permit
- Residence permit in Albania