Albania Unique Permit | An Incomplete Guide

Overview:

Albania does not have a specific self-employment visa or digital nomad visa, but eligible applicants can settle long-term by applying for a Unique Permit under the categories of self-employed people or digital mobile workers.

This Unique Permit is valid for 1, 2, or 5 years and can be renewed. For digital nomads, the visa is issued in a 1+1+5 format, meaning the validity period is one year for the first two years, and starting from the third year, you can apply for a five-year visa.

Currently, there is no specific economic requirement for the visa. Based on past successful cases, applicants may need to have an annual income of €9,800. The visa also requires applicants to have a valid passport, proof of sufficient financial resources, no threat to Albanian social security, and credible motivation to live in Albania.

Application Process:

Since May 2022, the application process for all long-term residence permits in Albania, including the Unique Permit, can be conducted online. However, you must first enter the country to complete preliminary tasks such as confirming a local contact address, opening a bank account, and completing investments before applying for the residence permit. The majority of the application process can be divided into the following steps:

1. Enter Albania and complete a series of pre-visa application tasks within thirty days of entry: establish a local address, open a bank account, etc.

2. Within thirty days of entry, log in to the Albanian visa application platform (https://e-visa.al/apply), create an account, select the Visa for Self-employed People or Visa for Digital Mobile People option under the long-term residence D visa category, fill out the form, submit the required documents, and apply.

Once you have successfully completed the application, you will receive a notification to pay the visa fee.

The processing time for the Unique Permit for self-employed people and digital nomads can take up to 12 weeks.

Dependents:

For Albania’s Unique Permit, the primary applicant’s spouse and children under 18 can also settle in the country as dependents.

Permanent Residency & Citizenship:

Foreigners who have legally resided in Albania for five years can apply for permanent residency.

Foreigners who have legally resided in Albania for five years and are proficient in the Albanian language can apply for citizenship.