A foreign investor may own an Albanian company up to 100 percent, without legal restrictions and without the need for an Albanian partner. Law No. 7764/1993 “On Foreign Investments” It treats foreign investors the same as domestic ones and recognizes their right to freely withdraw profit and capital abroad. This is one of the main ways a foreigner invests in Albania.
A foreigner looking to do business in Albania chooses among several forms. Sole Proprietorship, when he wants to be self-employed. Branch of a foreign company, where they want to expand the company they have abroad into Albania. Representative office, where you only want a presence, without sales. The most common form is when a foreigner invests in an Albanian company and becomes a partner in it, either as an individual or through a company they own abroad.
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A foreign investor can be an individual or a foreign company. Documents vary by case.
A foreign individual can be the sole partner and sole administrator of the company. The only document they add to the application is a valid identity card, passport, or ID card. The law requires identification documents of the partners when their data is not specified in the founding documents.
When the partner is a foreign legal entity, according to Article 29 of Law no. 9723/2007 “On Business Registration”, amended, in addition to the documents according to the type of company, the application shall also be accompanied by the documents provided for in Article 28, point 5, letters “a” to “d”, specifically these.
The founding act and statute of the foreign company, or the equivalent act of formation according to foreign legislation, along with the full text of subsequent amendments.
Documentation proving the registration of a foreign company in a foreign jurisdiction.
Documentation proving the current status of the foreign company, issued no more than 90 days prior to the application, with registration and representation data, including whether it is undergoing liquidation or bankruptcy.
Decision or other acts of the competent body of the foreign company for participation in the company in Albania.
Private documents and official documents from foreign jurisdictions must be accompanied by a certified translation into the Albanian language and must be legalized. Legalization is done with the apostille stamp for countries that are parties to the Hague Convention, or with consular legalization for countries outside of it.
Registration with the QKB is free of charge and is completed within one business day. The actual time and cost of the process go towards the apostille and translation of foreign documents, so it's worth starting early.
The application is made online on e-Albania and electronically signed. If the foreign partner is not in Albania or does not have an electronic signature, there are two options.
You can authorize a person in Albania by proxy, for example an accountant or a lawyer, to submit the application in your name. When the applicant is different from the legal representative of the company, the power of attorney is submitted.
Can I use the temporary electronic signature that e-Albania offers for non-residents, which allows signing without having an Albanian electronic ID?.
Valid identity document, passport, or ID card
Prosecutor, only if not located in Albania
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
Proof of registration in a foreign jurisdiction
Current status, within 90 days
Decision of the participatory body
Both parties affix apostille or consular legalization to foreign documents and provide certified translations into Albanian.
When the company administrator is a foreign citizen and is not located in Albania, they issue a special power of attorney to a trusted person in Albania who has an active e-Albania account and electronic signature. This person fills out and signs the application in their own name.
The power of attorney is drafted and signed in the Albanian language at a notary in Albania. If the administrator does not understand Albanian, a licensed interpreter must be present during the signing to translate the document for him/her. Usually, the notary also provides the interpreter.
If the administrator signs the power of attorney outside of Albania, it must be apostilled, or consularized for countries outside the Hague Convention, and then translated and notarized in Albanian.
Download a specific power of attorney form.
Registering a company is not a residence permit. They are two separate things. You can own a company from abroad, but if you want to live in Albania and manage it yourself, you need a residence permit.
For stays of up to 90 days within 180 days, you do not need a permit. Beyond this period, a single permit is the document you need, as it combines the right to stay and the right to work into one. The application is made at the office vendor for border and migration.
Read also: Foreigners in Albania, New Rules for 2026
Once the company receives the NIPT, it is automatically registered with the tax authorities, social and health insurance, and the Labor Inspectorate. Then open a business bank account and activate fiscalization.
Within 30 days of registration, the company must declare the beneficial owners, meaning the individuals who ultimately control it. This can also be done simultaneously with the company's registration, through a single application on e-Albania. This obligation applies to legal entities, unlike natural persons who are not included in this register. More at Beneficial Ownership Register.
The company is taxed like any other Albanian company. When profit is distributed to the partner as a dividend, a dividend tax is withheld. For a non-resident partner, this rate may vary according to agreement to avoid double taxation between Albania and the foreign country.
Read also: Taxes in Albania
The law does not require any Albanian partner. A foreigner can be the sole partner and/or sole administrator.
You can be a partner without ever having been to Albania. The signing of the Statute and the Act of Establishment according to the Law in Albania is done without the need for physical presence at a Notary or institution.
A company with a foreign partner is a new Albanian entity with limited liability. A branch is an extension of the parent company abroad, without separate legal personality, for which the parent company itself is liable.
Every company must declare beneficial owners within 30 days of registration.
Any foreign official document must be legalized with an apostille or consular legalization and translated and certified in Albanian.
Read also: How Foreign Businesses Register in Albania