Company Establishment in Albania
Company Formation · Legal Structure Selection · QKB Filing · Tax Registration · Bank Coordination
Albania has built one of the more accessible company-registration regimes in the Balkans. The National Business Center (QKB) operates as a single-window authority: a foreign founder can reserve a name, file incorporation documents, and receive both a registration certificate and a tax identification number (NIPT) through one filing. There is no meaningful minimum capital barrier for the standard Sh.p.k., and full foreign ownership is permitted in the great majority of business activities.
For an international entrepreneur, the legal steps themselves are straightforward. What actually determines whether registration takes a few days or drags into weeks is whether the right structure is chosen up front, whether documents are prepared and legalised correctly the first time, and whether tax, banking and compliance are coordinated in the right sequence rather than handled as an afterthought. Albania For Business Sh.p.k. manages that sequencing end-to-end, whether you are incorporating a fresh Sh.p.k., extending an existing foreign company through a branch, or acquiring a ready-made company outright.
- Fast, single-window registration through the QKB, typically resolved in a few business days once documents are complete.
- No meaningful minimum capital requirement for the standard Sh.p.k. structure.
- Full or majority foreign ownership permitted in most business activities, with foreign directors permitted without restriction.
- A competitive standard corporate income tax rate, with a separate small-business regime for lower-turnover companies (see below — subject to verification).
- EU candidate country status with a Stabilisation and Association Agreement already in force, offering preferential trade access to the EU market.
- Lower operating, office and labour costs relative to Western and Central Europe, supported by a young, increasingly multilingual workforce.
- A strategic Adriatic-Ionian coastline location bridging Western Europe, the wider Balkans and the Mediterranean — useful for logistics, tourism and services businesses alike.
Choose the path below that matches your situation, or read on for the full formation package, process, tax overview and frequently asked questions.
Remote Formation by Power of Attorney
Register your Albanian company remotely without travelling — using a notarised power of attorney.
Purchase a Ready-Made Company
Acquire a shelf company with an existing registration number and start operating immediately.
Branch of a Foreign Company
Establish an Albanian branch of an existing foreign company without creating a separate legal entity.
Company Structure & Tax
Understand the company structure, share capital requirements, tax regimes and governance rules.
Legal Address & Virtual Office
Every Albanian company requires a registered legal address. We provide virtual office solutions in Tirana.
Corporate Documents & Post-Registration
What happens after registration — documents, tax registration, bank account, compliance calendar.
Company Formation in Albania — Key Facts
Minimum share capital (approx. €1)
Typical registration timeline
Standard corporate tax rate
Remote-friendly · English docs
What Is Included in Our Company Formation Service
Albania For Business Sh.p.k. manages the complete process from structure selection to operational readiness. The following services are included in the standard company establishment package:
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| Company name reservation | We check availability and reserve your chosen company name at the National Business Center (QKB). |
| Legal structure selection | We advise on Sh.p.k., branch or other structure based on your ownership, activity, tax position and plans. |
| Bilingual document preparation | Articles of Association, shareholder resolutions, declarations and all registration forms prepared in Albanian and English. |
| QKB filing | We submit the full registration file to the National Business Center and manage all authority communication. |
| Beneficial owner declaration | Preparation and submission of the UBO (ultimate beneficial owner) declaration required under Albanian AML law. |
| Tax registration | Registration with the Albanian tax authority, including NIPT issuance and tax regime selection. |
| Legal address provision | Every Albanian company requires a registered legal address. We coordinate virtual office arrangements in Tirana. |
| Bank account coordination | We coordinate the bank account opening process and advise on which banks work best for foreign-owned Albanian companies. |
These services are provided as a fixed-scope package for the standard Sh.p.k. formation. Where a client’s situation requires additional work — a regulated activity, a more complex ownership structure, or a non-standard bank relationship — we confirm the extended scope and fee before starting that work.
Documents Required for Registration
The exact checklist depends on your ownership structure and nationality, but most registrations require the following:
- Passport copies of all shareholders and directors.
- Proposed company name(s), in order of preference, and a description of the intended business activity.
- Registered legal address in Albania (a lease agreement, landlord’s letter of consent, or our virtual office arrangement).
- Founding act / Articles of Association, prepared in Albanian and English.
- A notarised and, where applicable, apostilled or legalised power of attorney, if incorporation is handled remotely.
- Beneficial ownership information for the UBO declaration.
- Certified Albanian translations of any foreign-issued corporate documents (for corporate shareholders or branch parent companies).
We issue a confirmed, situation-specific document checklist at the start of every engagement, so nothing is discovered mid-process.
How the Process Works
The typical company formation timeline for a standard Albanian Sh.p.k. with foreign shareholders runs as follows. Remote formation requires additional time for document preparation, notarisation and courier transit.
Initial consultation & structure selection
Document checklist & client information
Name reservation & document preparation
Document signing (remote or in Albania)
QKB submission
Registration certificate & NIPT issued
Tax registration & post-registration setup
Typical Costs & Fees
Indicative cost components for a standard Sh.p.k. formation are set out below. Your adviser confirms an exact, fixed quotation once your structure and activity are known.
| Cost Component | Typical Range / Basis |
|---|---|
| QKB state registration fee | Low / nominal — confirm current fee schedule |
| Notary fees (POA, resolutions) | Varies by document count and jurisdiction of signing |
| Apostille / consular legalisation | Set by the notarial or consular authority in your home country |
| Certified Albanian translation | Per page, depending on document volume and language pair |
| Registered legal address / virtual office | Typically quoted as an annual fee |
| Bank account opening support | Included in advisory fee; bank charges are separate |
| Advisory / service fee | Fixed-fee packages available for standard Sh.p.k. formation; confirmed before work begins |
All figures are indicative only and vary by case complexity, document volume and current official fee schedules. A firm quotation is always confirmed in writing before an engagement begins.
Albanian Tax Regimes for New Companies
The tax regime applicable to a newly registered Albanian company depends on its annual turnover, activity type and applicable exemptions. The following overview is for general guidance — always verify with a qualified Albanian tax adviser.
| Regime | When it applies | Tax rate | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small business regime | Annual turnover up to ALL 14,000,000 (approx. €114,000) | Reduced / preferential | Eligibility and current rate must be verified — thresholds have changed in recent years |
| Standard corporate tax | Annual turnover above ALL 14,000,000 | 15% on net profit | Default regime for most companies |
| Dividend tax | On profit distributions to individual shareholders | 8% withholding | Withheld at source; treaty relief may apply |
| VAT — standard | Annual turnover above approx. ALL 10,000,000 or voluntary registration | 20% standard rate | Optional below threshold; required above |
| VAT — reduced (tourism) | Accommodation and certain tourism-related services | 6% reduced rate | Sector-specific; conditions apply |
Tax thresholds, VAT registration limits and small-business eligibility rules have changed multiple times in recent years. All tax rates and thresholds must be verified by a qualified Albanian tax professional before publication. Do not rely on these figures without review.