Albania · Business / Startup
Albania Self-employed permit
Savings needed: ALL 500k+ ≈ $6,100
Single permit for self-employed persons (type D/VP visa)
First checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Self-employed permit is a business / startup route for Albania. Applicants need savings of ALL 500k+ ≈ $6,100. You can stay 3 yrs, renewable. You can work locally. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.
- Money needed
- ALL 500k+ ≈ $6,100
- First stay
- 3 yrs
Cost, time and long term
Shown, not spentALL 500k+ ≈ $6,100
- ALL 500,000 (≈ $6,100)Minimum funds shown for the business, or the equivalent in USD or EUR, by a bank certificate from Albania or the home country.
RenewalRenewable
The permit is valid for the planned business, up to three years, and can be renewed.
Permanent residenceAfter 3 years of residence
After three years you may get a permanent residence permit if the business has succeeded, income is sufficient and other permanent residence conditions are met.
Where to applyAbroad or in-country
Enter on a long-stay type D visa, or visa-free where eligible, then apply for the residence permit within 30 days of entry.
What you'll need
Who can apply2
- The business shows an economic interest and an expected positive effect on the economy.
- The applicant has the capital needed to carry out the business idea.
What you must show1
- Funds of at least ALL 500,000, (≈ $6,100) or the equivalent in dollars or euros, shown by a bank certificate from Albania or the home country.
Documents2
- Business plan following the format recommended by the National Agency for Employment and Skills.
- Diploma, certificate or licence proving the skills for the activity, and the business registration certificate from the National Business Centre.
Steps1
- The evaluation commission of the ministry responsible for finance and economy assesses the application before the permit is issued.
After you arrive1
- The permit is valid for the planned business, up to three years, and a permanent residence permit may follow if the activity succeeded and income is sufficient.
What happens at day 183
How Albania decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
Up to 3 years at first, renewable
- Tax residence
- More than 183 days in 365 daysStaying constantly or intermittently in Albania for more than 183 days in a period of 365 days makes a person a tax resident.
- Income tax
Albanian tax residents pay personal income tax on income from all sources; non-residents pay only on Albanian-source income.
All tax rules for Albania Tax records checked
Full official text
Single residence permit for foreigners who set up and run their own business in Albania, assessed by an evaluation commission for economic interest. 1 2 3
What you must show
- Savings of at least ALL 500,000 (≈ $6,100) · Minimum funds shown for the business, or the equivalent in USD or EUR, by a bank certificate from Albania or the home country. 3
Requirements
- The business shows an economic interest and an expected positive effect on the economy. 1
- The applicant has the capital needed to carry out the business idea. 1
- Funds of at least ALL 500,000, (≈ $6,100) or the equivalent in dollars or euros, shown by a bank certificate from Albania or the home country. 3
- Business plan following the format recommended by the National Agency for Employment and Skills. 3
- Diploma, certificate or licence proving the skills for the activity, and the business registration certificate from the National Business Centre. 3
- The evaluation commission of the ministry responsible for finance and economy assesses the application before the permit is issued. 3
- The permit is valid for the planned business, up to three years, and a permanent residence permit may follow if the activity succeeded and income is sufficient. 1 2
Stay
- Valid for the planned business, up to three years.
- First stay: up to 36 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Nationality
Foreign nationals; visa-exempt nationals apply for the permit in Albania and others first need a type D visa.
Work
Self-employment in the permitted activity, region and profession.
Family
A permit holder whose permit is valid for at least one year can request family reunification with family members outside Albania, with suitable housing, social insurance and stable income; unmarried children can apply up to age 30.
Official sources
- Law No. 79/2021 On Aliens, English translation · Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Albania · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2021-06-24
- Law No. 79/2021 On Foreigners, updated text with Law No. 43/2025 · Albanian State Police, Border and Migration Department · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2025-06-26
- Council of Ministers Decision No. 858/2021 on criteria, procedures and documents for entry and stay of foreigners, as amended · Albanian State Police, Border and Migration Department · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2021-12-29
Self-employed permit and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed permit | Needs savings of ALL 500k+ ≈ $6,100 | 3 yr, renewable | Yes |
| Startup Visa Portugal | Needs savings of €6,446+ ≈ $7,200 | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| Entrepreneur visa Spain | – | 3 yr, renewable | – |
| Startup Visa Italy | Needs savings of €50k+ ≈ $56k | 1 yr, renewable | – |
| Business investor permit Greece | Needs an investment of €500k+ ≈ $559k | 5 yr, renewable | – |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Self-employed permit?
Savings of at least ALL 500,000 (≈ $6,100). Minimum funds shown for the business, or the equivalent in USD or EUR, by a bank certificate from Albania or the home country.
How long can I stay on the Self-employed permit?
Valid for the planned business, up to three years.
Can I work on the Self-employed permit?
Yes. Self-employment in the permitted activity, region and profession.
Can I bring my family on the Self-employed permit?
A permit holder whose permit is valid for at least one year can request family reunification with family members outside Albania, with suitable housing, social insurance and stable income; unmarried children can apply up to age 30.
Does the Self-employed permit lead to permanent residence in Albania?
Time on the Self-employed permit counts toward permanent residence in Albania, which the rules allow after 3 years of residence.
How are Self-employed permit holders taxed in Albania?
No special regime in our records is tied to the Self-employed permit. The standard rules apply: Albanian tax residents pay personal income tax on income from all sources; non-residents pay only on Albanian-source income.
More in Albania
Business / startup visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-11 against 3 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Law No. 79/2021 On Aliens, English translation · Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Albania · checked 2026-10-11
- Law No. 79/2021 On Foreigners, updated text with Law No. 43/2025 · Albanian State Police, Border and Migration Department · checked 2026-10-11
- Council of Ministers Decision No. 858/2021 on criteria, procedures and documents for entry and stay of foreigners, as amended · Albanian State Police, Border and Migration Department · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.