How to Move to Albania? (Visa, Residence Permit, Work, Retire)

How to move to Albania? In this post we will discuss how you can immigrate to Albania and obtain a residence permit for the purpose of work, retirement, study, digital nomad or investment

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Are you considering moving to Albania? In this post we will discuss the options to get a residence permit in the country. We will also list the advantages and disadvantages about living in Albania.

00:55 Albania Residence Permit

Now, let's talk about how to get a residence permit to live in Albania. Albania is not an European Union member, therefore, EU and non-EU citizens are broadly subject to the same residency laws in Albania. The only main difference is between citizens which require a visa to enter Albania and the ones who don't.

Applying for a Residence Permit

The first thing you should consider is whether you need a visa to enter Albania. If you do need a visa to Albania you will have to apply for a visa beforehand and fulfill the requirements for a long term residence permit.

Most Western citizens, including US, EU, Canadians and Australians do not require a visa to enter Albania. If you are in this category you can come to the country first and then apply for your residence permit while already in the country.

Albania is pretty advanced in its documentations for its residents. You can use the portal E-Albania (https://e-albania.al/) to do a lot of things, including the first steps for your residence permit application. In a second moment, you will have to present to the local authorities.

02:09 Residence Permits for Self-Employed Persons and Company Owners

Albania has a pretty flexible residence permit option if you want to run a business in the country. If you open a company or you are self-employed, this will render you eligible to apply for a residence permit in the country.

Unlike many countries in the European Union, there is no need to hire other people in order to qualify for a residence permit of this type in Albania. If you are a software developer working on projects for companies abroad, you can get this type of residence permit in Albania.

02:46 Residence Permit for Retirees and Real Estate Owners

It is possible to acquire a residence permit if you want to retire in Albania, or if you own real estate in the country.

Other Residence Permits to Live in Albania

There are other cases in which you can get a residence permit to live in Albania. Among them, a residence permit if you work for an Albanian company, if you are married to an Albanian national or if you volunteer in the country.

03:21 Staying in Albania for One Year (option for US Citizens)

If you want to stay in Europe for up to one year without having to deal with any bureaucracy and you are an US citizen, then Albania is a great option. US citizens can stay in Albania for up to one year as a tourist.

Permanent Residence Permit in Albania

If you live in Albania for five years consecutively, you will be able to apply for a permanent residence permit in Albania.

Albanian Citizenship by naturalization

If you have lived 5 years in Albania you are also eligible to apply for Albanian citizenship. There are some other requirements to this, like having at least basic knowledge of the Albanian language.

04:15 Advantages of Living in Albania

Now, let's check some of the main advantages of living in Albania:

Low Cost of Living

One of the most evident advantages of living or spending time in Albania is its low cost of living. Albania is one of the most affordable countries in the continent. Its weaker than average economy for European standards make of Albania a highly attractive place if you want to stretch your budget.

While groceries in Albania are not considerably cheaper than other countries in the region, almost everything else is. This includes accommodation, real estate, restaurants, other types of services and transportation.

Great Geographical Location

Even if Albania is not part of the European Union, it enjoys a privileged location in the European continent. Albania is located in the Southeastern part of Europe, and you are just a short drive from countries like Greece and Montenegro. You can also take direct ferries from Albania to Italy. Moreover, The Tirana Airport has many direct flights to most European countries, including Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France, Turkey and many others.

Amazing Weather

Amazing Seaside

06:27 Disadvantages of Albania

Earthquakes

Not Part of the EU

Poor Transport Infrastructure