In this guide, you’ll discover how Albania’s investor visa and related residence-by-investment programs work, what you must provide, and how you can transition from temporary residency to permanent status. You’ll also learn about a low-threshold digital nomad visa that few guides cover.

What Kind of Visa Fits You?

Albania offers several categories for foreign nationals:

• Short-stay visa (Visa C) for trips up to 90 days
• Long-stay visa (Visa D) for stays beyond 90 days
• Uniform visa valid for Schengen states (Albania is not yet Schengen, but issues UVs)
• Limited territorial validity visa for specific regions
• Investor residence permit via business or real estate
• Digital nomad permit for remote workers

For a detailed breakdown of Albania’s visa categories and the general application process, see the SchengenVisaInfo.com page on Albania visa requirements.

How the Investor Routes Compare

Business-Investment Permit

If you inject capital into an Albanian company, you must:
– Maintain at least one Albanian employee for every five foreign staff members, in line with the 1:5 local-to-foreign staff ratio requirement outlined by Henley & Partners.
– Show proof of ongoing profitability and tax compliance, following the OECD’s guidance on corporate tax compliance.
– Hold the initial permit for two years, then apply for renewal according to the e-Albania portal’s permit renewal guidelines.

Real-Estate Permit

Buying property can also qualify you, provided you:
– Own at least 50 % of the asset.
– Present a notarized purchase deed and translated criminal-record certificates, as detailed in Deloitte’s guide to property acquisition in Albania.
– Hold the permit for one year, renewable under the residency permit renewal conditions set by the Albanian Ministry of Interior.

Step-by-Step Application Process

You can complete most steps online through Albania’s official visa portal:

1. Register on Albania’s official online visa portal
2. Upload scanned copies of:
3. Valid passport
4. Proof of investment (bank statements, deeds, business plan)
5. Clean criminal record, translated into Albanian
6. Health insurance valid in Albania
7. Pay the application fees
8. Attend a brief in-person interview at a local immigration office (if requested)
9. Track your application online and receive electronic approval

All applicants must have health insurance that covers them in Albania (see VisaGuide.World’s health insurance requirements for Albanian visas).

From Temporary to Permanent Residency (and Beyond)

After five years of continuous, legal residence via investment, you become eligible to apply for permanent residency. For an overview of Albania’s residency pathways and naturalization requirements, consult the Global Residence Index overview of Albania’s residency pathways. Note that Albania has not yet formalized citizenship-by-investment; any passport application follows standard naturalization criteria, including:

• Five years of uninterrupted residency
• Sufficient knowledge of the Albanian language
• Proof of integration into the local community

“Albania’s investor programs seek to combine capital inflows with real job creation for locals,” said a representative of the Albanian Investment Development Agency.
— Albanian Investment Development Agency

Statistic

• In 2021, Albania attracted $1.1 billion in foreign direct investment, underlining growing confidence in its market. Check World Bank data on Albania’s FDI inflows for verification.

A Closer Look at the Digital Nomad Visa

Albania recently introduced a permit aimed at remote workers:

• Monthly income requirement of around €500
• Valid health insurance in Albania
• Permission to live in any city without needing a business or property purchase

For full details on Albania’s digital nomad permit requirements, review the comprehensive guide on NomadBase.com.

Why You Might Choose Albania

• Lower cost of living than most EU countries, according to Numbeo’s cost of living comparison for Albania
• English widely spoken in business circles, per the EF English Proficiency Index ranking
• Central location in the Balkans, with quick access to Greece, Italy and the wider region
• New incentives under strategic investment status for key sectors, outlined by the Albanian Investment Development Agency

Ready to Get Started?

Albania’s residence-by-investment framework is still evolving, so you’ll find fresh guidelines and clarifications coming out frequently. By meeting job-creation or ownership thresholds, maintaining compliance, and renewing on time, you set yourself on a clear path to long-term residency—and eventually, a shot at permanent status. Whether you’re launching a venture, buying property or working remotely, Albania presents an appealing mix of affordability, accessibility and growth potential. Take the first step today by gathering your documents and setting up your account on Albania’s official online visa portal.