Nowadays, the rules concerning registration of a company in Albania are more structured and predictable than earlier. Maturity of the legislative base, steadiness of the court practice, and general entrepreneurship environment is more transparent. Registration of a company for foreigners in Albania increases interest since backers look for moderate tax implications, straightforward creation courses of action and low overhead costs in comparison to other countries.
This guide will familiarize you with the most vital details concerning registration of a business (firm) in Albania.
Prior to reading, you can take a look at established organizations for sale.
Albania company registration: Overview
The core legal base rests on two acts: the law governing commercial structures and the law that created the central register for newly formed firms. Together they define how a new firm is constituted, how its internal rules are approved, and how it is listed in the national database.
The norms are prescriptive: they define the format of the founding charter, list the minimum data needed for identification, and describe how capital contributions should be reflected. Local notaries play a central role, as nearly all key papers must pass through notarial procedures.
Non-resident founders are not limited in taking part in local ventures. They can initiate a standalone structure or open a division linked to a principal entity. The branch format is common among European and Middle Eastern groups that want presence but do not need a fully independent body.
Supervision is carried out mainly through the registration center and tax authority. Their functions are procedural: confirming correctness of submitted data, entering it into the system, and ensuring the firm stays visible in public records.
Advantages of company registration in Albania
Company formation in Albania is attractive due to a number of factors.
- Geographical reach. The nation is located at the very heart of Central Europe sensitively abutting the Adriatic routes and the corridor of the Western Balkans, providing closer access to suppliers and logistical nodes.
- Simple establishment process. Local practice has evolved into a formation cycle that is relatively quick. Core steps can, in most cases, be completed within one week if all basic information is ready and notarization arranged without delays.
- Low tax burden. The tax system is friendly to small organizations; larger ones have a higher tax burden, yet it is still lower than the level in most EU countries.
- Cost baseline. Staff, utilities, lease-rates, and outsourced back-office support are cheap by European standards yet of acceptable quality.
- Clarity of rules. With a moderate amount of red tape, the main laws are clear and well-structured quite decently. Foreign capital is to enjoy legal protection similar to that in countries from the EU candidacy.
Types of entities
Law allows several organizational formats, each with its own internal mechanics and capital rules.
- Sh.p.k. This is the most widely used arrangement. It suits small and medium setups, requires low starting capital, and gives founders flexibility in internal governance. Transfer of participation units follows a straightforward procedure, though notarization is still necessary.
- Sh.A. This model is oriented toward larger ventures with broader capital bases. It can issue shares, appoint a supervisory board, and structure internal roles more formally. It suits manufacturing, heavy logistics, telecoms and larger trading groups.
- Branches. A branch is an extension of a non-resident firm. It operates under a mandate from its head structure, and although it cannot have full independence in the legal sense, it can sign contracts, hire staff and carry out commercial operations in the country.
- Partnerships. Traditional collective forms exist in legislation but are almost never used today, as they bring joint liability and outdated mechanics.
Requirements for company incorporation Albania
To carry out Albania company formation, you only need one founder. This can be a person or even a company from another country.
You also need at least one person to handle day-to-day decisions. They don’t have to live here, which makes multinational setups easier.
The organization must have a founding charter. This paper explains what the business will do, who owns what share, how decisions are made, how much capital is included, and how alterations can be made later.
The demanded starting amount of money is very small and can be paid in cash. You can also contribute assets instead, but a notary has to confirm their value.
You must provide a local address when you create the company. Many new businesses use the address of a legal or administrative service provider.
All main materials have to be notarized in the country in question, but you can do this remotely through a POA if needed.
After notarization, the papers are sent to the regional register. Once the organization is listed, it gets a unique ID number used for all official matters.
What to do after company incorporation in Albania
Unlike what many organizations would suggest, the enrollment is not the end. Other follow-up steps need to be established.
- Automatically, one is given the tax numbers after registering. Subsequently, VAT enrollment depends on the kind and volume of enterprise. There are a few sectors that have to register for VAT right away, while others only cross the threshold after some maturity.
- All firms maintain their accounts according to the laws of the land. In the case of larger organizations, these need to be presented for an external audit every year. Small firms can follow a somewhat simplified format, although the schedule is to be maintained for the balance sheet and profit and loss account.
- Decisions taken and recorded in the minute books will pertain to important decisions such as alterations in capital, appointment of managers, and changes in the charter.
- ID details of the organization, or its form, registration number, and workplace, shall be published in all official publications and also on its website.
- In the event of a firm hiring its staff, such details must be fed into the system of social insurance. The contract of hiring and the others must be based on the Labour Code, followed by monthly declarations.
Taxation of business in Albania
A two-tier tax system based on business earnings is used in the nation. Smaller businesses benefit from significantly lower tax rates, and if their turnover remains extremely low, they may even pay nothing at all. Although some hospitality and agricultural activities are eligible for lower rates, the VAT rate is set at 20%.
Profit transfers abroad are unrestricted. Typically, dividends are subject to an 8% tax rate; however, bilateral tax treaties can reduce this rate.
Businesses that operate in free zones and tech-focused hubs can also take advantage of additional benefits, such as lower profit taxes, exemptions from local municipal fees, and exemptions from customs duties on imported equipment.
Our services
Eternity Law International supports clients planning to create or expand operations. A specialist of ours helps with:
- drafting founding charters and related instruments;
- arranging notarization through local partners or via POA;
- coordinating the listing of the firm in the database;
- creation of accounts in fiscal institutions;
- providing a local address for initial stages and maintaining it;
- arranging accounting support and yearly submissions;
- communication with authorities during the initial months;
- advising on tax structure, VAT planning and benefits available to firms in special zones;
- re registering a company in Albania if you need it.
In case you want to find out more on how to register a company in Albania online, contact us.
Conclusion
In 2025, the rules appear to be very settled and predictable. Setup is fast and not expensive, with taxes at an attractive rate. For any person wishing to create a foothold within the Adriatic-Balkan region of moderate complexity, this nation might be an appropriate route.
Professional support would very much minimize postponements and wrong procedure choices. With a plan laid out in advance and execution competence, it might appear straightforward and economically justifiable to establish and run a firm here. If you intend to proceed, early consultation, preparation of the charter, and alignment of operational goals with Eternity Law International will streamline the launch and reduce later adjustments.
In case you are planning to re register company in Albania, we will also help you.
FAQ
How much does it cost to register a company in Albania?
Costs vary depending on the chosen legal form, the notarial work involved, translation needs, and whether the founder uses an intermediary to coordinate the setup. Core expenses usually arise from notarization, preparation of the founding charter, and listing in the national register. Additional spending may appear if an account in a fiscal institution, local support staff or accounting assistance is arranged from the outset.
Do I need a local address to register a company in Albania?
Yes, this is a phase where completion gets feasible only by having an enrolled office in the country. This is a point where all official communications go, and hence, the organization is said to be located at that place. Many founders initially use an address provided by specialized firms. Later they switch to their own premises when operations begin.
How can I register a company name in Albania?
Name selection is done during preparation of the founding file. The name must be unique and not conflict with existing entries in the register. The notary or intermediary usually conducts a preliminary check to ensure the name is available. Once the file is submitted and accepted, the name becomes officially assigned to the newly created structure.