Residence Permit, all you need to know!
Albania is quickly becoming one of the most attractive destinations for all foreigners for many reasons such as its beautiful nature, affordable prices and more. But the recent trend is becoming a resident in Albania, since usually foreigners visit once or twice and after the good experiences decide to move in Albania long term.
The Albanian legislation also favorizes the foreigners who want to reside in Albania being that the procedure and the required documents are easy and fast.
But who are the most common residency programs in Albania:
1- Retirement
The key document for this type of residency program is an official document proving annual pension income of 13’000 Euros per year. But be careful, the income of 13’000 Euros per year should be solely from your pension.
Beside the incomes you need to provide also an Apostilled Police Clearance certificate and a lease agreement with a term of 1 year and signed in front of a notary.
2- Employment
If you plan to reside in Albania as an employee, the main legal requirement is to obtain an employment agreement with an Albanian company.
Beside the employment agreement you will also need a lease agreement with a term of 1 year and signed in front of a notary and a degree, work experience certificate or a professional certificate proving the experience and qualifications for the job position you will hold.
For this category one of the most common misunderstandings is that foreigners believe they can first get a residence permit and then come to Albania to look for a job. Legally, this is impossible.
To obtain a work residence permit, you must first secure a job in Albania and sign an employment contract with an Albanian employer. Only after signing the contract can you apply for the visa or residence permit.
A lawyer cannot secure a job for you, but can guide you through every legal step of the residence permit process.
3- Family Reunification
For many foreigners living in Albania, bringing their family here is a priority and this is possible through the Family Reunion Residence Permit
Family Reunification allows family members of Albanian citizens or legally residing foreigners to enter and stay in the Republic of Albania to preserve family unity, regardless of whether the family relationship was established before or after the foreigner’s entry.
There are two things you need to know:
- You can only apply for a residence permit for family reunification for your parents, children, and spouse.
- Your family members can apply for residence permit after you have received your Albanian residence permit.
Required documents for family reunification:
- Family certificate or marriage certificate
- lease agreement with a term of 1 year and signed in front of a notary
This permit not only guarantees the legal right for your loved ones to live with you in Albania but also provides access to healthcare, education, and integration into the community.
4- Student
If you are a student and you are considering pursuing your studies in Albania, it is important to be informed about the legal requirements for obtaining a residence permit in Albania.
Below are two key facts that every prospective student should be aware of:
– Eligibility for a Residence Permit
You are eligible to apply for a residence permit in Albania only if you are officially enrolled in a recognized Albanian educational institution—either public or private. This applies to schools, colleges, and universities that are accredited by the Albanian authorities.
!Kindergartens are not recognized as qualifying educational institutions for residence purposes, therefore, registering a child in a kindergarten will not make them eligible for a residence permit.
– Required documentation
In order to apply for a student residence permit, you will need to prepare and submit several essential documents, including:
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- Proof of tuition fee payment
- Official acceptance letter from the institution
- Language proficiency certificate
5- Civil Partnership
You are a foreign citizen living in Albania and want to join your partner?
Even though you may not be legally married, you can join in Albania through the Civil Partnership Residence Program.
This program is ideal for couples who wish to live together in Albania without formalizing their relationship through marriage.
To be eligible, you’ll need to present a few key documents:
- A notarial declaration confirming that you have lived together for more than 12 months
- Personal civil status certificates proving that both partners are legally single
What about the refusal of the Residence Permit and the visa, is there a possibility for refusal?
According to Albanian law, our authorities have the right to refuse any visa or residence permit application, even if the documentation is complete, if:
- the stay is not clearly argued;
- The applicant’s statements are not considered credible or consistent.
So, it is not enough to just have the right documents — it is also important that your file is properly argued, clear and compelling.