How to Register as a Sole Proprietor on e-Albania

Sole proprietorship registration is conducted entirely online, free of charge, and processed within 24 hours. In this guide, you will learn how to register as a sole proprietor on e-Albania. No physical documentation is required, and there is no need to visit any service counter in person. The application form takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Since 2023, the process requires an electronic signature. If you do not have one yet, you can apply online through the AKSHI portal. The entire process is completed online, with no supporting documents required.

Before You Begin

• Active e-Albania Account: As an individual, not as a business
• Valid Electronic Signature: Mandatory for submitting the application.
• NVE Code: The economic activity classification code (Nomenclature of Economic Activities) corresponding to your business.
• Notarized Power of Attorney: Required only if you are applying on behalf of another person.

For Foreign Citizens

The e-Albania portal provides a specific path for foreign nationals. Registration requires a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA) appointing an Albanian citizen as your legal representative. The PoA can be issued by a notary in Albania, or abroad and subsequently apostilled in accordance with the Hague Convention.

Note: For citizens of Kosovo, a Power of Attorney issued by a local notary is directly valid in Albania without the need for apostille, based on the Albania-Kosovo bilateral agreement.

Registration Steps

The process is conducted entirely via the e-Albania portal.

1. Log in as an Albanian or foreign citizen and select the service: "Application for the initial registration of a natural person".
2. Complete the electronic form with your business details. Personal data (NID, full name, father's name, date of birth) are automatically retrieved from state databases.
3. Complete Section "D" with tax information: estimated annual turnover, tax types, and the NVE code. These are provided via self-declaration.
4. Upload the notarized Power of Attorney, if applicable.
5. Click "Submit" on the final page of the form.
6. Click "Send signature code", enter the code received, and click "Sign".
7. The application is reviewed by an authorized QKB official, resulting in one of the following decisions: Approved, Suspended, or Rejected.
8. The decision is sent automatically via email and appears under "My Space" in the e-Albania portal.

If approved, the registration certificate is issued with an electronic seal and holds full legal weight. The system automatically verifies if a sole proprietorship is already registered under the same NID.

Necessary documentation

Your personal documents are retrieved directly by administrative officials through state databases; you do not need to submit them yourself. The only document to be uploaded by the applicant is the act of representation (notarized PoA), only if the applicant is someone other than the individual being registered.

What to Complete in Section D

Section D directly impacts your initial tax category. Complete it carefully:

• Estimated annual turnover (self-declaration)
• Tax types: VAT, simplified profit tax, or standard corporate income tax
• NVE code of the primary activity

Consult with an accountant before completing this section. Additional information is available on the official QKB websiteunder the section: "Registration, Instructions for tax registration."

Timeframe and Cost

The QKB performs the registration and issues the certificate within one business day from the date of submission, pursuant to Article 54 of Law No. 9723/2007For applications submitted during official holidays, the deadline begins on the next business day. The service is free of charge, and the registration is valid indefinitely.

For questions regarding the service, contact: [email protected]

Legal basis

The registration of a natural person (sole proprietorship) is regulated by:

• Law No. 9723/2007 "On Business Registration" (as amended)
• The Civil Code
• Law No. 9920/2008 "On Tax Procedures in the Republic of Albania" (as amended)
• Law No. 9880/2008 "On Electronic Signature"
• Law No. 10273/2010 "On Electronic Documents"

After Registration

Receiving your NIPT (Tax ID) is not enough to start business operations. Fiscalization, bank account setup, and accounting are the first steps to take immediately post-registration. [View all 10 steps].

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I register without an electronic signature?

No, it is mandatory. Apply via the AKSHI portal before starting your registration.

Can I register if I am unemployed or a student?

Yes. Employment status does not affect your right to register. You only need to be of legal age and possess a valid ID card or passport.

Must I declare annual turnover during registration?

Yes, as an estimated self-declaration. Consult an accountant first, as it dictates your initial tax category.

How soon after approval can I start operations?

Immediately upon receiving the certificate. Before issuing your first invoice, you must have the fiscalization system activated.

Can I change my activity after registration?

Yes, via the "Changes for a natural person" service on e-Albania. Changes are registered within 1 business day. Read also: Amending Sole Proprietorship Details.

Will I be notified if I am already registered?

Yes. The system automatically checks for existing registrations under your NID and will prevent duplicate applications.

Read also: Sole Proprietorship as a Business Structure: What It Is and When to Register

Read also: How to open a business in Albania as a foreigner (2026)