Albania Digital Nomad Visa: How to Apply [4 Steps]

The Albania digital nomad visa, officially known as the Unique Permit, invites remote workers to live in the beautiful Mediterranean country for up to five years. 

While not an official digital nomad visa, many digital nomads and remote workers meet the eligibility requirements. So, we will continue to refer to the Unique Permit as the Albania digital nomad visa throughout this article. 

Introduced at the beginning of 2022, digital nomads have discovered Albania’s marvelous seaside towns and strong Wi-Fi, making it an up-and-coming digital nomad destination. 

The initial visa term is valid for one year and is renewable for up to five years. Then, you may apply for permanent residency.

Main applicants may include immediate family members on their Albania digital nomad visa applications.  

The Albania digital nomad visa application process is done all online, making it one of the easiest digital nomad visas to apply for. 

It’s important to note that those who live in Albania with the digital nomad visa will become tax residents and owe local income tax. 

Albania joins other Mediterranean countries, such as Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, Malta, and Italy, in offering digital nomad visas. 

What is a Digital Nomad Visa?

A digital nomad visa allows remote workers and business owners to temporarily live in a foreign country. 

It’s important to understand that digital nomad visas do not allow applicants to seek local employment or engage in local business economic activity. 

Many digital nomad visas are valid for at least one year and are often renewable. They may also allow applicants to bring immediate family members to the country. 

Some digital nomad visas, such as the Albania digital nomad visa, can lead to permanent residency and eventually citizenship after several years. 

Albania Digital Nomad Visa Requirements

To be eligible to apply for the Albania digital nomad visa, you must meet the following criteria. 

• Valid Passport – You must have a valid passport
• Work Remotely – You must work remotely as an employee or freelance for a company or clients established outside of Albania
• Earn at least $315 USD per month – You must prove that you earn at least $9,800 per year
  • Including a spouse or dependents may increase the minimum income requirement
• Albanian Bank Account – You must open a bank account in Albania to deposit your salary before applying for the digital nomad visa
• Clean Criminal Record – You must present a clean criminal background check from your country of residence from the last five years
• International Health Insurance – You must have valid health insurance with at least 30,000€ of coverage in Albania
• Address of Accommodations – You must provide the address of where you will stay in Albania

If you meet the eligibility requirements, then you can begin your Albania digital nomad visa application. 

How to Apply for the Albania Digital Nomad Visa

The application process for the Albania digital nomad visa is fairly straightforward and does not require a visit to a consulate or embassy.

Step 1: Open Bank Account

One of the requirements when applying for the Albania digital nomad visa is to open a local bank account. 

Some banks allow foreigners to open an account with a passport and proof of accommodation in Albania. Other banks may require an Albanian residence permit. 

Some reputable banks that are established or operate in Albania include:

• American Bank of Investment (ABI)
• Banka Kombetare Tregtare (BKT)
• Credins Bank (CB)
• Fibank
• Intesa Sanpaolo Bank
• ProCredit Bank
• Raiffesen
• OTP Bank
• Tirana Bank
• Union Bank
• United Bank of Albania

When contacting the bank, let them know that you plan to apply for the Albania digital nomad visa. 

Step 2: Gather Documents

Often the most time-consuming part of applying for a digital nomad visa is gathering all of the necessary documents. 

You will need to submit the following documents:

• Copy of passport
• Passport-size photos
• Proof of remote work in the form of an employment or service contract
• Proof of financial means in the form of payslips or bank statements
• Address of accommodations in Albania, such as an Airbnb reservation
• Proof of Albanian bank account
• Certified criminal background check
• Proof of valid health insurance

Documents issued by your government must be certified with an apostille. 

You may submit your documents either in English or Albanian. 

Step 3: Submit Application

Once you have gathered and digitized your documents, you may submit your application through the Albanian e-visa portal. 

First, register an account with your name and email address to begin. 

Once registered, you will click “Apply Now” and select the option “digital mobile worker” in the list of available Type D visas. 

After completing the requested information and uploading the necessary documents, you will pay the visa fee via credit card. 

The cost of the visa fee varies depending on your nationality. You will pay the same amount as an Albanian national would pay for a visa to enter your country of origin. 

Step 4: Wait for Approval

The average processing time for the Albania digital nomad visa is 12 weeks but could take as short as two weeks. 

When approved, you will receive an email and e-document to present to immigration authorities when you enter Albania. 

Albania for Digital Nomads

Albania has been rising in popularity amongst the remote worker community thanks to its reliable wifi connection, low cost of living, and gorgeous beach towns. 

The country also is not a member of the Schengen Area, allowing full-time travelers to cross the border when their Schengen tourist visas are up. 

Some of the most popular cities in Albania for digital nomads include Tirana and Sarandë. 

What digital nomads love most about Albania is getting to experience beaches and crystal clear waters similar to Greece for a fraction of the cost. Now with the Albania digital nomad visa, remote workers can call this country home for years. 

Apply for Digital Nomad Visas Worldwide with Nomads Embassy

Moving to a new country is a major decision with a lot of things to consider. Spending your time applying for a digital nomad visa alone can add to the frustration and overwhelmingness of it all. 

That’s why Nomads Embassy: The World’s First Embassy for Digital Nomads, is here to make your digital nomad visa application process smoother. 

We have partnered with hand-selected local immigration lawyers in 20+ countries to assist our readers with their digital nomad visa applications. We created a comprehensive Done-for-You Digital Nomad Visa Service where your case will be followed by a legal professional from start to finish. 

To begin, request our free digital nomad visa eligibility assessment today! 

If your heart is set on Albania, join our waitlist to be notified when our visa service becomes available by completing the form above. 

Frequently Asked Questions

While articles such as this are helpful, you may still have some questions about the Albania digital nomad visa. Here are the most commonly asked questions we receive. 

Does Albania have a digital nomad visa?

While Albania does not have an official digital nomad visa, the Unique Permit allows remote workers to live in the country for up to five years.

Will I owe taxes with the Albania digital nomad visa?

Yes, you will become a tax resident in Albania with the digital nomad visa. 

How long does it take to get the Albania digital nomad visa?

The processing time for the Albania digital nomad visa is 12 weeks, but could be shorter. 

Who is eligible for the Albania digital nomad visa?

Remote workers, business owners, and retirees earning at least $9,800 per year are eligible for Albania’s digital nomad visa. 

Does the Albania digital nomad visa lead to permanent residency?

Yes, after five years of living in Albania with the digital nomad visa, you may apply for permanent residency.

Do I have to visit a consulate to apply for the Albania digital nomad visa?

No, you do not have to visit a consulate to apply. The Albania digital nomad visa application is done online. 

How much does the Albania digital nomad visa cost?

The visa fee for the Albania digital nomad visa varies. They honor visa fee reciprocity, which means you will pay the same amount as an Albanian citizen pays for a visa to stay in your country of origin.

Can I bring family members to Albania on the digital nomad visa?

Yes, you can bring a spouse and dependents with you to Albania. The minimum income requirement may increase with each additional member. 

Should I work with an immigration lawyer to apply for the Albania digital nomad visa?

While it isn’t required to work with an immigration lawyer to apply for Albania’s digital nomad visa, it is extremely helpful and increases your chances for approval.

Working one-on-one with an immigration lawyer ensures you meet the eligibility requirements, have all of the necessary documents, and have someone to communicate with authorities to follow your application through the process.

Relocating to another country can be intimidating and overwhelming when you do it alone. Having a legal professional on your side provides reassurance that your application is completed correctly.