Personal Identification Number and Company Registration Number in Albania: NID, NUIS, NIPT, Fiscal Code, VAT Number, e-Albania Access, QKB Registration, Beneficial Ownership, and a Complete Guide for Foreigners and Businesses in 2026

A comprehensive guide explaining Albanian identification numbers for individuals and businesses – personal identification number (NID); NUIS (unique entity identification number); NIPT (taxpayer identification number); the relationship between NUIS and NIPT; fiscal code for individuals; VAT number vs NIPT; how foreigners obtain personal numbers; tax registration for foreign individuals; e-Albania access; QKB company registration and NUIS/NIPT issuance; individual entrepreneurs; branches and representative offices; beneficial ownership registration; invoices, bank accounts, and where identification numbers are required; verification through the Business Register; common mistakes; and a step-by-step procedure for foreign founders

Introduction

Albania uses separate identification numbers for individuals and businesses. Understanding the distinction between a personal identification number and a company registration number is essential for any foreigner who plans to live, work, invest, or operate a business in Albania. These numbers appear in every official interaction – from opening a bank account to filing taxes, from signing a contract to accessing e-Albania services.

Key principle: the personal identification number identifies an individual in Albanian state systems. The NUIS/NIPT identifies a registered business or taxpayer entity. A foreign founder, director, or individual entrepreneur may need both. These numbers are related but serve different functions and cannot be used interchangeably.

1. The Main Identification Numbers Used in Albania

Important: NUIS and NIPT in everyday business practice refer to the same unique code assigned to a registered entity. The terms emphasise different aspects – NUIS highlights registration, NIPT highlights tax function – but a foreign owner should not expect to receive two different numbers after registering a standard company.

2. What Is a Personal Identification Number (NID)?

A unique code assigned to an individual for use in Albanian state information systems. For Albanian citizens, it appears on the ID card and passport and serves as the primary identifier for e-Albania registration, state services, tax filing, immigration records, social and health insurance, employment, banking, and notarial transactions.

NID is the English abbreviation for this personal number. It identifies the person – not a company. Having an NID does not confirm business registration, and it does not create entrepreneurial tax obligations by itself.

3. Personal Identification Number for Foreigners

Foreigners may receive or need an Albanian personal identification number when they are entered in the relevant Albanian state register, for example in connection with residence status, employment, individual tax registration or another procedure requiring identification in Albanian public systems. Serving as a company director, owning shares or owning property does not by itself mean that a personal number is automatically issued; the applicable registration procedure and the foreigner’s legal status must be checked.

A tourist does not automatically receive an Albanian personal number simply by entering the country. Obtaining a residence permit or registering in the relevant state registry typically triggers the assignment. Owning shares in an Albanian company does not always mean automatic access to all personal e-Albania services – additional steps may be required.

4. Personal Number vs Passport Number

5. Personal Number as a Fiscal Code

For individual taxpayers, the Albanian Tax Administration uses a fiscal code for identification. For resident individuals, the personal identification number shown on the identification card serves as that fiscal code. For non-resident individuals, tax registration and identification use the personal identification number shown on the non-resident individual identification document, where applicable. The existence of a filing or withholding obligation depends separately on the applicable tax rules.

A foreign non-resident who requires individual tax registration should follow the registration procedure of the Albanian Tax Administration. Depending on the person’s status and documentation, registration may require action through the relevant taxpayer service office or another competent state procedure.

6. What Is NUIS?

NUIS (Numri Unik i Identifikimit të Subjektit) is the unique identification number assigned to a registered entity in Albania. It identifies: Sh.p.k. (limited liability companies), Sh.a. (joint-stock companies), individual entrepreneurs, branches of foreign companies, representative offices, partnerships, and qualifying non-profit organisations. The NUIS is assigned by QKB (National Business Center) upon registration.

7. What Is NIPT?

NIPT (Numri i Identifikimit për Personin e Tatueshëm) is the taxpayer identification number. For entities registered with QKB, the unique identification code generated at registration is commonly referred to as NUIS/NIPT in official and business practice. A standard company therefore does not receive one separate QKB number and another separate tax number for the same registration.

8. Is NIPT the Same as a VAT Number?

NUIS/NIPT identifies the registered taxpayer. VAT registration is a separate tax status and not every entity holding a NUIS/NIPT is necessarily registered for VAT. VAT-registered taxpayers use their unique identification number in VAT documentation, but the existence of the number alone does not prove VAT registration. VAT status should therefore be verified separately.

9. How a Company Receives Its NUIS/NIPT

Step 1: Submit the initial registration application to QKB (through e-Albania). Step 2: QKB reviews the application and documents. Step 3: The company is entered in the Business Register. Step 4: QKB assigns the NUIS/NIPT. Step 5: A registration certificate is issued. Step 6: Data is transmitted to the tax administration. Step 7: The company gains access to subsequent electronic services. QKB is the authority that determines the NIPT and issues the registration certificate.

10. Registration of a Foreign-Owned Sh.p.k.

Documents typically include: articles of association, statute, founding resolution, shareholder details, administrator details, registered address, activity description, NVE (activity) codes, share capital, beneficial owner data, passport of the foreign shareholder, power of attorney (if applicable), and apostilled/translated foreign documents. After registration, the Sh.p.k. receives its own NUIS/NIPT – separate from the personal numbers of its shareholders and director.

11. Individual Entrepreneur Registration

A natural person registered as an individual entrepreneur (person fizik tregtar) uses their personal identification number for personal identification and receives a separate NUIS/NIPT for their business activity. The tax administration confirms that one individual with one personal ID can be registered by QKB only once as an individual entrepreneur and receives one NUIS/NIPT. An individual entrepreneur cannot hold multiple active NIPTs to split a single activity.

12. Can One Person Have Several NIPTs?

One person cannot have multiple NIPTs for the same individual entrepreneurial registration. However, one person can own shares in multiple companies – each company has its own NUIS/NIPT. The personal NIPT of an individual entrepreneur is different from the NIPTs of the Sh.p.k. companies they may own.

13. Branch of a Foreign Company

A foreign company registering a branch in Albania goes through QKB registration and receives an Albanian NUIS/NIPT for the branch. The foreign company retains its own foreign registration number. The Albanian branch number is used for all Albanian tax, accounting, and regulatory purposes. Foreign company documents must satisfy the Albanian translation and authentication/legalisation requirements applicable to the issuing country and document type, taking into account any relevant international agreement.

14. Representative Office

A representative office is registered through the established procedure and receives identification data for administrative and tax purposes. It must not conduct commercial activity beyond its permitted scope. Having a NUIS does not automatically authorise any commercial activity.

15. Where Must the NUIS/NIPT Be Used?

The NUIS/NIPT is used across business, tax and regulatory procedures, including invoices and fiscal documents, tax declarations, employee registrations, customs and licensing procedures, QKB filings and banking documentation where required. Online businesses may also be required to display their NIPT among mandatory identification information. Whether the number must appear on a particular contract, website or document depends on the applicable legal and sector-specific requirements.

16. NUIS on Invoices

Every invoice must show the seller’s NUIS/NIPT, buyer’s details, address, invoice date and number, description of goods/services, tax base, VAT (if applicable), currency, and fiscalisation code. An incorrect or missing NIPT can affect the validity of the tax document and the buyer’s right to claim the expense or VAT credit.

17. Opening a Corporate Bank Account

The bank typically requires: QKB registration certificate, NUIS/NIPT, QKB extract, statute, administrator details, representative’s passport, beneficial ownership information, registered address, activity description, source of funds, and projected turnover. The NIPT identifies the company, but does not guarantee account opening – the bank conducts its own AML/KYC assessment independently.

18. Beneficial Owner Registration

The NUIS identifies the registered entity, while the Beneficial Owners Register records the natural persons who ultimately own or control a reporting entity under the applicable UBO rules. The entity must maintain accurate and up-to-date beneficial ownership information and supporting documentation. Changes to registered beneficial-owner data must be filed within the statutory deadline; QKB currently states a 90-calendar-day deadline from the occurrence of the change.

19. How to Verify a Company Number

Step 1: Open the QKB Business Register (qkb.gov.al). Step 2: Search by company name or NIPT. Step 3: Verify the legal name, status, address, and administrator. Step 4: Obtain an extract if needed. Step 5: Cross-check details with the contract and bank account. Step 6: Check beneficial owner information if available. Step 7: Verify tax status through the tax administration separately. QKB provides public search of registered entities by name or NIPT with basic corporate data displayed.

20. e-Albania Access and Common Problems for Foreigners

The e-Albania registration form uses the personal identification number as the primary user identifier. Foreigners may encounter problems: the personal number is not recognised by the system, passport data does not match the registry, the name appears in a different order, transliteration variants cause mismatches, a foreign phone number does not receive verification codes, the profile is linked to an expired document, or the foreign director does not appear as an authorised person for company services.

The recommended solution is to correct the underlying record in the relevant registry first, rather than creating multiple profiles with different name spellings.

21. Changes, Suspension, and Deregistration

The company’s NUIS is generally preserved even when the name, address, director, or shareholders change. Changes must be filed with QKB through e-Albania. A company can suspend activity and enter passive status – the NUIS does not disappear, but commercial activity must stop. Obligations from prior periods may survive. Deregistration (liquidation or cessation of individual entrepreneur activity) involves final tax declarations, employee deregistration, closure of secondary addresses, and formal NIPT cancellation. Foreign documents used in QKB procedures must comply with the applicable Albanian-language translation and authentication/legalisation requirements. Some documents or countries may benefit from exemptions under international agreements.

A cancelled NIPT is not transferred to a new entity. Purchasing an existing company means acquiring the legal entity with its history and existing NUIS – a change of owner does not create a new company.

22. Common Mistakes

23. Step-by-Step Procedure for a Foreign Founder

Step 1: Prepare the passport and required foreign documents. Step 2: Determine the authentication/legalisation requirements for each document and issuing country, including any exemption under an applicable international agreement. Step 3: Arrange the required certified Albanian translation. Step 4: Determine whether a personal identification number is needed. Step 5: Obtain e-Albania access (or appoint a representative). Step 6: Prepare founding documents (articles, statute, resolution). Step 7: Submit QKB registration through e-Albania. Step 8: Receive NUIS/NIPT and registration certificate. Step 9: Register beneficial owner. Step 10: Configure tax profile. Step 11: Open corporate bank account. Step 12: Register addresses and employees. Step 13: Set up accounting and fiscalisation. Step 14: Verify all data in the Business Register for accuracy.

How ALBANIA FOR BUSINESS Sh.p.k. Can Help

ALBANIA FOR BUSINESS Sh.p.k. provides comprehensive identification and registration support: foreign individual registration, tax identification, e-Albania profile setup, Sh.p.k. registration, individual entrepreneur registration, branch registration, NUIS/NIPT issuance, apostille and translation coordination, beneficial owner registration, corporate bank account opening, QKB extract services, registry error correction, corporate data changes, and business suspension or liquidation. Contact us at albania-for-business.com.

Frequently Asked Questions