Albania has taken a significant step forward in the framework of international fiscal transparency. With Decision No. 113, dated February 27, 2026, the Council of Ministers has approved the implementing provisions of Law No. 4/2020 "On the Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information."This decision, which repeals the previous Decision No. 613/2020, introduces new regulations and expands the scope of application — including crypto-assets for the first time.
Whether you are a business, an individual with offshore accounts, a financial service provider, or simply want to understand what happens with your banking data, this article is for you.
What is the Automatic Exchange of Information?
The Automatic Exchange of Information(AEOIis an international standard developed by the OECD — known as the Common Reporting Standard (CRSEssentially, it works like this: banks and financial institutions in Albania collect data regarding the financial accounts of individuals who are tax residents outside of Albania and transmit this data to the General Directorate of Taxes (GDT). The GDT, in turn, automatically sends this information to the tax authority of the country where the person is resident.
The same process happens in reverse: tax authorities of other countries send data to Albania regarding accounts held abroad by Albanian residents.
The goal is clear — to prevent international tax evasion and ensure that everyone pays taxes where they should. This standard currently operates among over 100 countries, and Albania has been part of it since 2020. The new 2026 decision updates and expands this framework.
Who is affected by this decision?
The primary reporting obligation falls upon financial institutions: banks and depository institutions, custodial institutions that hold financial assets for the account of others, investment entities such as investment funds and portfolio managers, insurance companies that issue cash-value contracts, and — as a new addition for 2026 — crypto-asset service providers.
Regarding individuals and businesses as account holders, you are affected if: You hold a bank account in Albania and are a tax resident in another country. You are an Albanian tax resident and hold accounts abroad. You are a legal entity with international accounts. You own or trade crypto-assets through platforms.
If you are an Albanian with bank accounts only in Albania and are not a tax resident elsewhere, the direct impact on you is minimal. However, information about you may still be reported if the financial institution has reason to believe you are a tax resident elsewhere.
What information is reported?
Every reporting financial institution must send the account holder's identification data to the tax administration — name, address, jurisdiction of residence, Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), date and place of birth — as well as data regarding the account itself: account number, type, balance or value at the end of the year, and whether it is a pre-existing or new account.
Financial income generated during the year is also reported: interest paid on depository accounts, dividends, interest, and other income for custodial accounts, as well as gross proceeds from the sale or redemption of financial assets.
Reports must be submitted to the GDT no later than May 30th of each year for the preceding calendar year.
Crypto-assets — The major innovation of 2026
he most significant change brought by Decision 113/2026 is the expansion of the scope to include crypto-assets. This is in alignment with the OECD's Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), published in 2023.
According to the decision, relevant crypto-assets include any crypto-asset — such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and similar — that can be used for payment or investment purposes. This excludes Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), specified electronic money products, and crypto-assets that cannot be used for payments or investments.
Trading platforms, exchanges, and crypto-asset brokers have a new reporting obligation. If you buy or sell crypto-assets through platforms operating in or having clients in Albania, your transactions will enter the reporting network.
Practical Example: If you have an account on a crypto platform operating in Albania and you are a German tax resident, the platform will report your transactions to the GDT, which will then send them to the German tax authority.
Crypto-asset accounts opened by December 31, 2025, are treated as pre-existing accounts, while those opened after this date are considered new accounts. The review of high-value accounts must be completed by December 31, 2026, and low-value accounts by December 31, 2027.
Read also The Crypto-asset Market: benefits, risks, and why it is being regulated in Albania.
Key deadlines you should know
The decision enters into force on January 1, 2026. The first reporting period under the new changes is the 2026 calendar year, with a submission deadline of May 30, 2027. Starting January 1, 2027, institutions will report according to the revised XML Schema (version 3.0). The review of existing entity accounts over USD 250,000 must be completed by December 31, 2026. High-value individual crypto-asset accounts must also be reviewed by December 31, 2026, and low-value ones by December 31, 2027.
Which countries is information exchanged with?
Albania exchanges information with 126 participating jurisdictions, including Germany, France, Italy, Greece, the United Kingdom, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. The list of reportable jurisdictions includes 87 countries and covers almost all major European and global economies.
If you have a bank account in Germany, Greece, Italy, or any other country on the list, that country's tax administration is aware of the account's existence and can compare it with your Albanian tax declarations.
What should your business do now?
If you are a Financial Institution
If you are a bank, fund, insurance company, or crypto platform, the first step is to review your due diligence procedures. The CRS system requires documented policies for identifying reportable accounts by collecting self-certifications from clients and verifying addresses and TINs. Simultaneously, you must prepare the technical infrastructure for the XML v3.0 schema and train your team, as AML/KYC and CRS procedures are interconnected. The May 30, 2027, deadline is not far off — start preparations early.
If you are a Business or Individual with International Accounts
Ensure your TIN is accurate everywhere. Financial institutions abroad may request your Albanian Taxpayer Identification Number. Additionally, declare all international accounts and income — information is circulating automatically between tax authorities. If you have interests in investment funds, trusts, or other offshore structures, review their status according to CRS rules. If you trade crypto-assets, clarify your tax residency and how your transactions may be impacted.
How does this relate to other tax legislation?
Decision 113/2026 does not operate in isolation. It is part of a broad mosaic of fiscal reforms that Albania has undertaken in recent years.
If you have been following the new limits on cash payments and the mandatory POS terminal, requirements, it is clear that the government is building a comprehensive system of financial transparency — both domestically and internationally.If you had outstanding tax liabilities , the recent amnesty was an opportunity to restructure your situation; now, with the automatic exchange of information, international oversight has become even stronger. Fiscal peace agreements aim to regulate declared income for the coming years, and information from the CRS can serve as either a confirmation or a red flag for tax authorities. Meanwhile, if you earn income from international digital platforms paid into accounts abroad, our tax framework analysis for influencers and content creators is essential reading from a CRS perspective.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will my bank account be reported automatically?
Not necessarily. Only reportable accounts are shared — those held by individuals who are tax residents in reportable jurisdictions. If you are a tax resident only in Albania and hold accounts only in Albania, your account is not subject to exchange with other countries.
What is a "reportable account"?
It is a financial account held by a person who is a tax resident of another country, identified as such by the financial institution through due diligence procedures.
How does the financial institution know where I am a tax resident?
When you open an account, the institution requires a self-certification regarding your tax residency. If this information changes, you must notify them immediately. The institution also conducts electronic and manual searches to confirm residency — checking addresses, phone numbers, standing payment orders, etc.
Are pension or savings accounts exempt?
The law provides for excluded accounts — including tax-favored pension accounts, certain life insurance contracts, and education/health savings accounts, provided they meet specific criteria such as contribution limits and withdrawal conditions.
What happens to crypto-assets after 2026?
Crypto-asset platforms operating in or providing services to Albanian clients will have a reporting obligation. The first reporting period will be the 2026 calendar year, with data submitted by May 30, 2027.
Who are "Controlling Persons" and why does it matter?
If you own a company that holds financial accounts outside of Albania, as a Controlling Person (with over 50% of votes or ownership), you also become subject to reporting. The financial institution will report your personal data along with the company's data.
Do I need to do anything specific as an individual taxpayer?
If you are a tax resident only in Albania and all your accounts are in Albania, the direct impact is minimal. However, if you hold accounts abroad, ensure they are declared and that your TIN is accurate with those foreign financial institutions. Transparency is your best defense.
What sanctions are in place for non-reporting?
Sanctions for financial institutions that fail to comply with CRS obligations are provided by Law No. 4/2020 and tax legislation. For individual taxpayers, a discrepancy between information reported by foreign institutions and Albanian tax declarations may trigger audit procedures by the tax administration.
How AlProfit Consult Can Help You
This decision brings new obligations and potential risks — but also opportunities to regularize your international financial standing in a timely manner.
The AlProfit Consult team can assist you with the analysis of your tax situation and international reporting obligations through our Tax Services, the structuring of your accounts and investments through Financial Advisory, the continuous monitoring of international legislative changes through the Foreign Economistservice, as well as the maintenance of financial records according to international standards through Accounting Services..
Do you have questions regarding the automatic exchange of financial information? Do you hold accounts abroad, have investments in other jurisdictions, or are you a financial institution with CRS reporting obligations?
Contact us for a personalized and practical consultation.
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This article was prepared based on Decision No. 113, dated February 27, 2026, of the Council of Ministers, and the OECD Common Reporting Standard (CRS). This information is for general informational purposes and does not replace individual tax advice. For your specific situation, please consult with our experts.