Albania residency & citizenship
A Comprehensive Guide to Naturalization
Albania offers one of Europe’s most accessible pathways to long-term residency, which serves as the foundation for future citizenship. While the country’s planned Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program remains suspended (following EU recommendations), the route to becoming an Albanian citizen through Naturalization is clearly defined and achievable.
LUX-ALBANIA HOME provides the essential legal and real estate support to guide you through every stage, from securing your first Residence Permit to preparing your final citizenship application.
1. Residence Permit: The Essential First Step
The Residence Permit (RP) establishes your continuous, lawful stay in Albania, which is mandatory for the later citizenship application. The most popular route for our clients is through property ownership.
Grounds for Obtaining an Albanian Residence Permit (RP)
Albania’s Law on Foreigners (Act No. 79/2021) outlines several categories for legal stay, including:
| Basis for Residency | Key Requirement | Initial Validity | Path to Citizenship |
| Real Estate Ownership | Owning at least 50% of a qualifying property (residential or commercial). | 1 Year (Renewable) | Standard Naturalization (5+ years) |
| Business Investment | Establishing a business and/or proving a minimum investment (often cited from €100,000), demonstrating economic benefit. | 1–2 Years (Renewable) | Standard Naturalization (5+ years) |
| Employment | Securing a valid Work Permit and an employment contract with an Albanian employer. | Varies (Up to 2 Years) | Standard Naturalization (5+ years) |
| Digital Nomad | Proving sufficient minimum income and remote work status. | 1 Year (Renewable) | Standard Naturalization (5+ years) |
LUX-ALBANIA HOME Advantage: The Real Estate Ownership route is highly favored due to the lack of a minimum investment amount and the clear renewal process. We ensure your purchased property meets all legal criteria for residency qualification.
2. Pathway to Albanian Citizenship (Naturalization)
Citizenship is acquired through Naturalization, a structured legal process governed by the Albanian Citizenship Act.
Grounds for Obtaining Albanian Citizenship
The standard route for foreign investors and residents requires:
- Continuous Lawful Residence: The applicant must have lawfully resided in Albania for a continuous period of at least 5 years with a valid permanent residence permit. (Note: This typically means a total of 5-7 years of lawful residence, including time on temporary permits, to reach the permanent residency stage).
- Age: Must be over 18 years old.
- Legal Capacity: Full legal capacity to act.
- Financial Stability: Proof of adequate accommodation and sufficient financial means to live in Albania (income not less than the minimum wage).
- Clean Record: No serious criminal record (no imprisonment for more than 3 years for non-political offenses).
- Language & Culture: Basic knowledge of the Albanian language, history, and culture.
- National Security: Must not pose a threat to the Republic of Albania’s public order or national security.
Reduced Residency Requirements (Exceptions):
The standard 5-year requirement is reduced for certain categories:
- Marriage: Reduced to 1 year of residency after 3 years of marriage to an Albanian citizen.
- Descent/Origin: Reduced for applicants who can prove Albanian origin (often reduced to 2–3 years).
3. The Procedure for Obtaining Albanian Citizenship
The process is managed primarily by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) and the President of the Republic (who issues the final decree).
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Qualify for Permanent Residency: Maintain continuous lawful residency in Albania for 5 years via annual RP renewals.
- Document Collection: Gather all required personal, financial, and legal documents (see below). All foreign documents must be Apostilled/Authenticated and translated by a certified Ministry of Justice translator.
- Application Submission: Submit the complete application file to the relevant State Police office or diplomatic mission abroad.
- Interview and Assessment: The MIA conducts a thorough investigation, which may include an interview and testing of your basic Albanian language and history knowledge.
- MIA Review: The MIA evaluates the application (processing can take several months).
- Presidential Decree: Upon approval by the MIA, the proposal is forwarded to the President of Albania, who issues the final decree granting citizenship.
4. Documentation and Costs: Getting Prepared
Preparation of documents is the most common point of failure for applicants. LUX-ALBANIA HOME guarantees precision through its specialized legal team.
Key Documents Required (Naturalization):
- Valid Passport.
- Birth Certificate (Apostilled/Authenticated).
- Certificate of Lawful Residence (showing continuous 5-year stay).
- Proof of Accommodation (property deed or lease).
- Proof of Sufficient Financial Means (bank statements, income proof).
- Clean Criminal Record Certificate (from all countries of residence).
- Albanian Language Proficiency Certificate (if required).
How Much Does an Albanian Passport Cost?
The cost associated with obtaining citizenship is remarkably low compared to global standards, as Albania does not currently charge premium investment fees for this route.
| Expense Category | Estimated Cost (EUR / ALL) | Notes |
| Government Application Fee | ~€100 (10,000 ALL) | Fee for the application to obtain citizenship. |
| Official Passport Issuance | ~€50 (7,500 ALL) | Cost for the biometric passport itself, valid for 10 years. |
| Legal & Translation Fees | Varies | This is the main variable cost. LUX-ALBANIA HOME charges competitive fees for legal consultation, certified translations, and comprehensive application support. |
| Property Investment | No minimum | Required for the initial residency pathway, but not a fee to the government. |
LUX-ALBANIA HOME offers a complete, integrated service: From finding the perfect property that qualifies you for residency to managing the entire 5-year naturalization timeline.
Secure your future in Albania with the trusted legal expertise of LUX-ALBANIA HOME.
Contact us today for a detailed consultation:
Viber / WhatsApp: +355 69 517-31-01
