Albania is a small country located in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula. It is home to just over 2.8 million people. For digital nomads, the Albanian state is of interest not only because of the fact that you can comfortably relax on the coast of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. The country is neighboring Greece, Croatia and Montenegro, and in the foreseeable future it may join the European Union.
But officially, there are no “nomad visas” in Albania. To legally cross the border of a European state, a remote worker from the Russian Federation will have to apply for a long-term visa of category “D”. This rule does not apply to holders of multiple-entry Schengen, American, British, Irish visas. Also, those who have received a residence permit in one of the Schengen states have the right to visa-free entry to the Albanian state.
The freelancer will receive an entry permit on the Internet portal (where the visa application form with documents is submitted). The standard application processing period varies from 7 to 15 days. The visa is addressed to the applicant by email (the document must be presented in printed form at the border control point).
Specifics of Albania’s freelance visa
From January 14, 2022, local authorities began issuing residence permits to remote employees under the Digital Mobile Workers program. But so far only representatives of the it-industry can participate in this program. Initially, a residence permit for a remote worker is issued for 1 year, then the status can be extended twice for 2 years. After 5 years of stay under the Digital Mobile Workers program, its holder can apply for permanent residence, and after another 2 years – for citizenship of the Republic of Albania.
If the applicant initially indicated that he/she would perform the work of a UX designer in Albania, and, in fact, taught private lessons of “acting”, the residence permit “for mobile workers” will be canceled. Also, the candidate for “Digital Mobile Workers” should not have problems with the law, which is confirmed by a relevant certificate. Mandatory conditions are the financial reliability of the remote employee and the availability of medical insurance.
As of 2024, the monthly income of an applicant for a program intended for “mobile workers” should be at least $446. Additionally, the remote employee must have an amount of minimum $2,794 on the bank deposit. All sources of income for a freelancer working in Albania must come from abroad.
Advantages of the Digital Mobile Workers program:
- optimal amount of financial guarantees;
- short terms of consideration of the application;
- the ability to open accounts in local banks;
- the prospect of obtaining Albanian citizenship;
As for the significant shortcomings of the program provided for “mobile workers”, there is only one – it is the impossibility of visa-free entry to the Schengen zone.
What taxes do freelancers pay?
Specialists of the IT-industry who have “Digital Mobile Workers” are exempt from paying income tax for the entire period of the residence permit (1 year, until the status is extended). After the renewal of the residence permit, the self-employed are subject to a progressive taxation scale.
It is sometimes difficult to independently understand all the bureaucratic intricacies, but our experts are always ready to consider your case and help you on the path to a comfortable life.
How much does the visa cost?
The authorities of the Albanian Republic practice a mutual system for determining the cost of a permit to cross the state border. In other words, visa processing services are limited to the amount that is charged for the application processing.
For the issuance of a long-term visa to Albania, the applicant pays €50. In addition, the costs associated with the legalization of documents are compensated.
Necessary documents
To apply for a long-term visa for an IT-specialist, you will need:
- application;
- foreign passport;
- photo in 1 copy (4,7 х 3,6 cm);
- diploma (document confirming the level of qualification);
- contract with the employer (the company must be registered outside the Albanian state);
- residential lease agreement (valid for 1 year);
- medical insurance (the amount of coverage is at least €30,000);
- receipt of state duty payment;
- police clearance certificate.
Recent changes in the visa issuance in Albania
The Albanian authorities are making every effort to minimize bureaucratic barriers for relocants who want to live and work in the country. In particular, a single application format is provided for remote employees, investors and hired personnel, which is used when applying for a visa, residence permit and work permit.
In the foreseeable future, remote employees may be completely excluded from the category of tax residents of Albania (regardless of how long they live in the territory of the Republic).
