Payment Terms

1. Purpose and Scope

Transparent pricing is one of Albania For Business Sh.p.k.’s (“the Firm,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) core commitments to clients. This document sets out the payment models we offer, how and when payment is due under each, and what clients can expect in terms of invoicing, currency, disbursements and late payment.

These Payment Terms apply to all engagements for company formation, legal, tax, accounting, licensing, real estate advisory and recruitment/HR services, and form part of the engagement letter or service agreement signed with each client. Where a specific engagement letter contains payment terms that differ from this document, the terms of the signed engagement letter take precedence for that engagement.

2. Our Three Payment Models

Depending on the nature, scope and duration of the engagement, we offer one of three payment models, agreed with the client and confirmed in writing before work begins:

3. Model 1 — Full Pre-Payment

Under the full pre-payment model, the entire agreed fee for the engagement is invoiced and must be paid in full before the Firm begins work. This model is typically used for engagements with a clearly defined, fixed scope and a relatively short expected timeline, such as standard company incorporation, a single regulatory filing, or a one-off document review.

• An invoice for 100% of the agreed fee is issued once the scope and price have been confirmed with the client.
• Work begins once payment has been received and cleared in the Firm’s account.
• If the agreed scope changes materially during the engagement (see Section 9), any additional fee is invoiced separately and is also payable before the corresponding additional work begins, unless otherwise agreed.

4. Model 2 — Deposit / Retainer

Under the deposit or retainer model, the client pays an agreed deposit or retainer before work begins, with the remaining fees invoiced periodically as the engagement progresses — for example, at defined milestones, or monthly for ongoing services such as accounting or legal retainers.

• The deposit or retainer amount, and the basis for further invoicing (milestone-based or periodic), are agreed and confirmed in writing before work begins.
• The initial deposit is applied against the final invoice(s) for the engagement, and is not an additional fee on top of the total agreed price.
• For ongoing retainers, invoices are typically issued monthly in advance or in arrears, as agreed with the client, covering the services performed or to be performed in that period.
• Where actual work in a given period is expected to exceed the retainer scope, the Firm will notify the client before additional fees are incurred, in line with Section 9.

5. Model 3 — Individual Arrangements

For complex, high-value or bespoke engagements — such as real estate transactions, business acquisitions, or projects spanning multiple service lines — the Firm agrees an individual payment arrangement tailored to the specific transaction. This may include a combination of upfront payment, milestone-based installments, completion-linked payments, or other structures appropriate to the transaction’s timeline and risk.

• The specific schedule, amounts and any conditions (for example, payment on signing, on regulatory approval, or on completion) are set out in writing in the engagement letter or a dedicated fee agreement before work begins.
• Where a transaction involves third-party costs (e.g. notary fees, due-diligence costs, or filing fees), the arrangement will specify whether these are included in the agreed schedule or invoiced separately as disbursements (see Section 8).
• Individual arrangements are agreed case-by-case and do not set a precedent for other engagements unless expressly stated.

6. Invoicing and Payment Methods

Invoices are issued in writing (typically by email) and include a description of the services covered, the amount due, the payment deadline, and the Firm’s bank details. Payment is accepted by bank transfer to the account specified on the invoice. Any other payment method (for example, card payment through a third-party processor) will be confirmed on the invoice if available for a given engagement.

Clients are responsible for any bank charges or transfer fees incurred in making a payment, and should ensure that the full invoiced amount is received by the Firm net of such charges, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

7. Currency

Fees are typically quoted and invoiced in euro (EUR) or Albanian lek (ALL), as agreed with the client and confirmed on the engagement letter or fee proposal. Where a client pays in a currency other than the invoiced currency, any exchange rate differences and related bank charges are the client’s responsibility.

8. Third-Party Costs and Disbursements

Some engagements involve third-party costs paid on the client’s behalf — for example, notary fees, official registry or filing fees, translation costs, or licensing/application fees payable to Albanian authorities. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, these disbursements are additional to the Firm’s professional fees, are identified separately on invoices, and may be requested in advance of the Firm incurring them on the client’s behalf.

9. Fee Estimates and Changes in Scope

Fees quoted for standard services are generally fixed or clearly scoped, in line with our value of transparent pricing. Where an engagement is more complex, an initial estimate may be provided, with the final fee confirmed once the scope, assumptions and expected workstream have been discussed with the client. If, during an engagement, the agreed scope changes — for example, because additional issues are identified or the client requests additional work — the Firm will inform the client and agree any additional fee in writing before carrying out the additional work, wherever practical.

10. Late Payment

If an invoice is not paid by its due date, the Firm may, after reminding the client in writing:

• Pause further work on the engagement until payment is received, other than work required to protect the client’s immediate legal position or meet an imminent statutory deadline.
• Apply a reasonable late-payment charge or interest, where this has been specified in the engagement letter or as otherwise permitted under applicable Albanian commercial law.
• Withhold delivery of documents, filings or advice prepared as part of the engagement until outstanding fees are settled, except where withholding would breach a professional or statutory obligation.

The Firm will always attempt to resolve a payment issue through direct communication with the client before taking any of the steps above, and will not take such steps in response to a fee dispute that is being handled in good faith under our Complaint Handling Policy.

11. Refunds and Cancellations

Where a client cancels an engagement before work has begun, any pre-payment or deposit received is refunded in full, less any third-party costs already committed on the client’s behalf. Where an engagement is cancelled after work has begun, the Firm will invoice for work properly performed up to the point of cancellation, and refund any balance of pre-payment or deposit not applied to fees or committed disbursements. Refund requests are processed within a reasonable period, normally within 15 working days of the cancellation being confirmed in writing.

12. Taxes

Fees quoted are exclusive of value-added tax (VAT) and any other applicable taxes, unless expressly stated otherwise on the invoice or engagement letter. Where VAT or another tax applies under Albanian law, it will be added to invoices at the applicable rate.

13. Confidentiality of Fee Arrangements

The specific fees, deposits and payment schedules agreed with any individual client are treated as confidential and are not disclosed to third parties, other than to the extent necessary to deliver the engagement (for example, to a subcontracted professional), required by law, or agreed with the client.

14. Questions or Disputes About Payment

If you have a question about an invoice, or believe a charge is incorrect, please contact us as soon as possible using the details in Section 15 — most issues can be resolved quickly through direct conversation. If you remain unsatisfied, you may raise the matter formally under our Complaint Handling Policy, available at albania-for-business.com/policies/complaint-handling-policy.

15. Contact

Questions about these Payment Terms, or about a specific invoice, should be directed to info@albania-for-business.com. These Payment Terms are published for transparency at albania-for-business.com/policies/payment-terms and should be read together with the Firm’s engagement letters, Complaint Handling Policy and Privacy Policy.