COREDO > Company Formation in Albania

Company Formation in Albania

Why Register a Company in Albania

lbania is a developing European jurisdiction with competitive taxation, affordable operating costs, and a favourable environment for foreign investors. The country offers simplified business registration, access to qualified professionals, and strong growth potential in IT, tourism, real estate, and international trade.

As an EU candidate country, Albania is gradually aligning its legislation with European standards, creating a predictable and attractive environment for international business.

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Cost of the service
3 600 EUR + VAT

Types of Companies in Albania

Foreign entrepreneurs can register a company in the Albanian Commercial Register in one of the following legal forms.

Shpk (Shoqeri me pergjegjesi te kufizuar)

The most common form of business in Albania. At least one founder is required for incorporation. Management is carried out by a director or board of directors. The minimum share capital is ALL 100,000 (approximately EUR 800). This form is optimal for small and medium-sized businesses, as well as for foreign investors planning to enter the Albanian market.

Sha (Shoqeri Aksionare)

At least one shareholder is required for incorporation, and management is carried out by a board of directors. The minimum share capital for closed companies is ALL 2,000,000 (approximately EUR 16,000), and for open companies — ALL 10,000,000 (approximately EUR 80,000). This form is suitable for large projects and companies planning to attract significant investment.

Branch of a foreign company

Any active foreign company may open a branch in Albania without minimum capital requirements. This requires the parent company’s incorporation documents, a board resolution to open a branch, confirmation of initial funding, and other necessary documents. A branch is not a separate legal entity and operates on behalf of the parent company.

The choice of legal form depends on the scale of intended operations, the number of participants, and the strategic goals of the business. For most foreign investors entering the Albanian market for the first time, the Shpk is the optimal option — this form combines management flexibility with limited liability for founders and relatively modest initial capital requirements.

Company Registration Procedure

Registration of legal entities in Albania is carried out through the National Business Centre (QKB — Qendra Kombetare e Biznesit), established under Law No. 131/2015. QKB operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Albania. The registration process is fully available online through the government platform e-Albania.

The main registration steps include: preparation of the memorandum of association and articles of association, submission of the application and documents to QKB via e-Albania, review and approval of the application by the registrar, assignment of a fiscal code and VAT identification number (NIPT), and registration with tax authorities. Albania imposes no residency requirements on founders and directors, making the jurisdiction attractive for international entrepreneurs.

As of 2025, the Albanian Commercial Register contains more than 252,000 registered business entities. The e-Albania platform provides a fully digital document submission process, significantly simplifying interaction with government authorities and reducing the time required for administrative procedures.

Required Documents

To register a company in Albania, the following documents are required: the memorandum of association and articles of association specifying the company name, registered office, share capital, business activities, and founder details; identity documents of founders and directors (passports or identity cards); proof of a registered office address in Albania (lease agreement or property certificate); and a resolution appointing the director. All documents in foreign languages must be translated into Albanian and certified by a local notary. Foreign documents may also require an apostille or legalisation.

When registering a joint-stock company (Sha), additional documents confirming the contribution of share capital are required, along with information about the composition of the board of directors and the distribution of shares among shareholders. To open a branch of a foreign company, notarised incorporation documents of the parent organisation, an extract from the commercial register of the country of origin, and a power of attorney for the branch representative in Albania must be provided.

Registration Timelines

The process of registering a new legal entity in Albania typically takes no more than 5 business days, provided a complete set of documents is available. Upon completion of registration, the company is assigned a fiscal code and VAT number (NIPT), allowing it to commence business activities immediately.

It should be noted that actual timelines may increase if apostilisation of foreign documents is required or if the registrar makes additional requests. Preparing a complete set of documents before submitting the application helps minimise delays and ensures a smooth registration process. COREDO specialists help identify and address potential obstacles in advance, ensuring compliance with standard registration timelines.

Opening a Bank Account

Under Albanian law, a corporate bank account must be opened within 20 days of company registration. The administrator must be personally present at the bank — this requirement cannot be fulfilled remotely. This requires the company’s registration documents, the fiscal code (NIPT), identity documents of the director and founders, and proof of the registered office address. Albania’s banking system includes both local and international financial institutions, providing a wide range of service options. COREDO specialists assist with selecting a bank and preparing the required document package. The account opening process typically takes one to three weeks depending on the chosen financial institution and the completeness of the submitted documentation.

Cost of Services

The cost of COREDO’s company formation package in Albania is EUR 3,600 + VAT. The package includes: preparation of the Articles of Association and founding documents (in English and Albanian), notarisation, UBO (ultimate beneficial owner) registration, company seal preparation, and a virtual registered address with secretarial support for 12 months. Registration is carried out via the e-Albania platform and takes approximately 24 hours. Additional services required by law: administrator work visa and employment contract (priced separately).

Tax System of Albania

Albania offers a competitive and transparent tax system. The standard corporate income tax (CIT) rate is 15%. The standard value-added tax (VAT) rate is 20%, with reduced rates available for specific sectors: 6% for accommodation services (hotels, tourism) and 10% for agricultural inputs (fertilisers, pesticides, seeds).

Albania provides a number of significant tax incentives. Businesses with annual revenue not exceeding ALL 14 million benefit from a 0% CIT rate (until 31 December 2029). IT companies registered before 31 December 2023 enjoyed a reduced CIT rate of 5% (the incentive was valid until 31 December 2025). Agricultural cooperatives and certified agritourism enterprises also benefit from a reduced CIT rate of 5% until 31 December 2029. The dividend tax rate is 8%.

The mandatory VAT registration threshold is set at ALL 10 million in annual turnover. The fiscal year in Albania coincides with the calendar year — from 1 January to 31 December, with the annual tax return due by 31 March of the following year. Albania’s tax system is designed to support small and medium-sized businesses, making the jurisdiction attractive for entrepreneurs with moderate operational volumes.

Our Experts

The COREDO team has been operating since 2016 and possesses deep expertise in company formation across various European jurisdictions.

Nikita Veremeev

Founder & NED of COREDO. Founded the company in 2016 and personally oversees the strategic development of the business across dozens of jurisdictions.

Pavel Kos

Head of Legal. Has been with the COREDO team since June 2017, responsible for legal support of corporate projects and company registration.

Basang Ungunov

Lawyer. Has been with the COREDO team since June 2022, specialising in legal support for company registration and structuring across various jurisdictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a founder need to be a resident of Albania to register a company?

No, Albania imposes no residency requirements on founders and directors. Foreign citizens can register a company on the same terms as residents of the country.

What is the minimum share capital for an LLC (Shpk) in Albania?

The minimum share capital for a limited liability company (Shpk) is ALL 100,000, equivalent to approximately EUR 800. The capital must be contributed at the time of company registration.

How long does it take to register a company in Albania?

Registration of a new legal entity in Albania typically takes no more than 5 business days, provided a complete set of correctly prepared documents is submitted.

What tax incentives are available for businesses in Albania?

Albania offers a number of significant tax incentives: a 0% CIT rate for businesses with annual revenue up to ALL 14 million (until 2029), a reduced rate of 5% for agricultural cooperatives and agritourism enterprises, as well as reduced VAT rates for the hospitality and agricultural sectors. The dividend tax rate is 8%.

Can a foreign company open a branch in Albania?

Yes, any active foreign company has the right to open a branch in Albania without the need to establish a separate legal entity and without minimum share capital requirements. This requires notarised incorporation documents of the parent company, a board resolution to open the branch, confirmation of initial funding, and a power of attorney for the representative in Albania. The branch operates on behalf of the parent organisation and must be registered with QKB.

What is the mandatory VAT registration threshold in Albania?

Mandatory VAT registration is required upon reaching annual turnover of ALL 10 million. Below this threshold, registration is voluntary. The standard VAT rate in Albania is 20%, with reduced rates available for specific sectors.

Contact Us

COREDO specialists provide full support throughout the company formation process in Albania — from document preparation to obtaining a fiscal code and tax registration. We have been operating since 2016 and help entrepreneurs from dozens of countries successfully build business structures in Europe and beyond.