A project in Albania?
Albania isn't yet part of our established network of local contacts. We assess every project case by case, though, and can bring in a trusted local partner (lawyer, accountant) if needed to create and direct your structure.
The path to creating a Sh.p.k. in Albania, step by step
These timelines assume a complete file (ID documents, supporting evidence, governance decisions made): an incomplete file is the single most common cause of delay, ahead of the administrative timelines themselves. Once the file is genuinely complete, expect generally 1 to 3 days (registration); 1 to 3 weeks (bank account) for the legal process itself.
Minimum share capital: ALL 100 — symbolic capital.
Project scoping & complete file
Gathering ID documents, mandate, governance decisions and choice of bank — the essential groundwork for the legal timelines below to actually start running.
Notarised articles
The articles are notarised, with notary fees generally between €45 and €135.
Apostilled and translated passports
Passport copies of foreign shareholders and directors must be apostilled and translated into Albanian by a licensed sworn translator.
QKB registration
Fast processing once the file is complete, including the capital deposit certificate.
Opening the bank account
It's advisable to apply to several banks in parallel (Raiffeisen, BKT, OTP) to speed up the process.
Safety margin — opening the bank account
On top of the legal timelines above, allow one week of banking margin: KYC checks, extra documentation or a branch appointment can extend account opening, particularly for a non-resident director.
VAT
| Taux | ||
|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | 20% | |
| Reduced rates | 10% | agricultural inputs |
| Reduced rates | 6% | accommodation and tourism |
Corporate tax
15%; a 0% rate applies until 2029 for businesses with under ALL 14M in annual turnover.
Is a visa required?
The type D visa is only an entry gateway, not a residence permit: a residence permit must be applied for within 90 days of entry. The D visa takes 15-30 days, plus 4-8 weeks of document preparation.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation, the bank and the relevant authority. We confirm the precise timeline with you during the initial assessment of your project.
Opening a bank account
Is presence in Albania required?
Albanian authorities require original documents or notarised copies, not plain scans — presence or a local representative remains necessary for some formalities.
Observed timeframe to open the account
1 to 3 weeks recommended, applying to several banks in parallel (Raiffeisen, BKT, OTP) to speed up the process.
Share capital deposit
Minimum share capital: ALL 100 — symbolic capital.
Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) register
Every director or shareholder must be declared as an Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) in the national register — a requirement stemming from EU anti-money-laundering directives (or equivalent standards outside the EU). Bank scrutiny is heightened in two situations common among international clients: when a shareholder or director is a US citizen or US tax resident (FATCA then imposes extra reporting obligations on the bank, which can slow down or complicate account opening); and when a shareholder is based in an African country rated higher-risk by the FATF (extra proof of the origin of funds, longer KYC validation times). We anticipate this with you from the initial assessment if your structure involves such profiles.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation. We confirm the applicable detail with you during the initial assessment of your project.
Selling on-site and clearing customs
Securing a premises or retail location
Commercial lease and registering the establishment with the National Business Centre (QKB).
On-site sales & till
Mandatory fiscalisation: every sales invoice must be issued through the tax authority's electronic system.
Cash register suppliers
- myPOS
- SumUp
- Zettle (PayPal)
- Shopify POS
- Lightspeed
Payment providers for small businesses
- PayPal Business
- myPOS
- acquéreur bancaire local (Raiffeisen, BKT)
- Stripe (couverture partielle)
- Adyen
Indicative, non-exhaustive list of examples of solutions present on the local market — availability and terms change quickly; we help you select the best-suited offer during the assessment of your project.
Customs & ATA carnet
To exhibit or sell equipment at a trade fair, the ATA carnet allows temporary import of goods — professional equipment, samples, stand fittings — without advancing customs duties or import VAT, provided they are re-exported within the allotted period (generally 12 months, sometimes 6 months for fair equipment). The carnet is issued by the chamber of commerce in the country of departure and recognised across the international network of ATA Convention countries, a network that covers Albania.
Importing products from outside the European Union
To import goods from a non-EU country (China, the US, etc.), an EORI number is essential for any customs procedure. Customs duties depend on the tariff code (combined nomenclature) and the product's origin; import VAT is then due at the rate applicable in the destination country, generally recoverable if the business is VAT-registered. Depending on trade agreements in force, some products benefit from reduced or zero duties on presentation of a certificate of origin. The competent authority for these procedures is Albanian General Directorate of Customs.
On-site consumer rules
As Albania is not an EU/EEA member, consumer-protection rules (right of withdrawal, price display, warranties) fall under national law and can differ significantly from the harmonised European framework. We check this point with you based on your on-site sales activity.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation. We confirm the applicable detail with you during the initial assessment of your project.