Albania (AL)

Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your planned stay. Required for border crossing, residence permit applications (Unique Permit), banking, notarial services and all official processes. Keep certified copies for banks, notaries and permit submissions.

Required for family permit applications, school enrolment, marriage registration in Albania, citizenship applications and some notarial or inheritance procedures. Albania is a Hague Apostille member (since 2004); documents from Hague member countries require apostille. Certified Albanian translation required by the Ministry of Justice sworn translator list.

Required for spouse and family reunification permits, children's school enrolment, inheritance and property matters. Apostille from Hague member countries; certified Albanian translation required.

Required for long-stay permits, work authorisation, residence permits and citizenship applications. Obtain from every relevant country of prior residence. Apostille from Hague member countries; certified Albanian translation required. Certificate must generally be issued within 6 months of the application date.

Core document for the Albanian Unique Permit (leja e vetme — combined residence and work permit issued by the Border and Migration Police), payroll tax registration, bank account opening and lease applications. Albania has a digital mobile worker (digital nomad) permit category. Documents in foreign languages require certified Albanian translation.

Required for highly qualified worker permits, regulated profession authorisation and university admissions. Albania is a Hague Apostille member; apostille and certified Albanian translation required. Foreign degree recognition (njohja e diplomës) is handled by the Ministry of Education and Sports (MAS) or the relevant academic/professional authority.

Required for regulated professions including healthcare (Urdhri i Mjekut for medicine), engineering, law, architecture, education and finance. Apostille and certified Albanian translation required. Each professional body (urdhri professional) handles recognition separately.

Required for visa applications, the digital mobile worker permit, lease agreements, property transactions and bank compliance (KYC). Typically 3–6 months of statements from a home-country bank; source-of-funds explanations may be requested by Albanian financial institutions.

Private health insurance is commonly required for residence and visa processes and is strongly recommended for practical healthcare access. Albania has a public health insurance fund (ISKSH) but most expats rely on private insurance or the private clinic sector.

EU/EEA driving licences are valid in Albania. Non-EU holders should carry their foreign licence with an IDP or certified translation. For long-term residents, the licence can be exchanged at the General Directorate of Road Transport Services (DPSHTRR). Albania drives on the right.

A letter from your home country insurer confirming your no-claims history. Acceptance by Albanian insurers varies, but it can help reduce motor insurance premiums when establishing a local insurance policy.

Required for bringing cats or dogs into Albania. Core documents: microchip certificate (ISO 11784), rabies vaccination record, an official veterinary health certificate and an EU-format pet passport (for travel via EU countries). Albania is an EU accession candidate; its pet import rules broadly follow EU standards. Confirm current requirements with the Food Safety and Veterinary Authority of Albania (AKUJA).

Expats buying property or staying long term should bring existing will and estate planning documents for review by an Albanian notary (noter). Apostille and certified Albanian translation required for estate documents used in Albanian legal proceedings.