Employees seeking a work permit in Albania must submit the required documents to either the relevant labor office within Albania or the Albanian Consulates in their home countries. The Regional Employment Office of Albania carefully examines the dynamics and requirements of the national labor market before issuing any work permit. Several factors are taken into account, including job availability for the following groups:
- Unemployed Albanian citizens
- Foreign nationals and family members of Albanian citizens
- Citizens of EU or Schengen countries
- Family members of immigrants who reside and work in Albania
- Nationals from countries that have bilateral and multilateral employment agreements with Albania
- Jobseekers who have priority in the domestic labor market
It is important to note that while foreign employees are allowed to work in the public sector in Albania, they are not permitted to hold leadership positions within public administration.
Other Essential Considerations
All employees must obtain both a working visa and a work permit to work in Albania. The available visa options include:
- Type C: Short-term visas
- Type D: Long-term visas
- Aeroportual visa: Intended for airport transit
Additionally, any foreign nationals planning to stay in Albania for more than 90 days are required to obtain a residence permit. Albania provides 21 different types of residence permits, and individuals must select the one that best suits their needs. Residence permits can be issued for durations of three, six, or twelve months and can be renewed a maximum of five times.