Residence permit or registration, translations and apostilles, bank account, address, AIRE and pension: one journey at a fixed price, with every deadline watched for you.
On the Italy → Albania route, people living on a pension apply for the “Pensioner residence permit” (Law 79/2021 art. 39(j), art. 85; VKM 858/2021). The first permit lasts 1 year, the state fee is ALL 4,500 (≈ €47), and a decision usually takes 30–60 days (estimate). No entry visa is needed. You need 12 documents, 3 of them with an apostille and a sworn translation.
· Sources: Law No. 79/2021 "On Foreigners", consolidated 2025; e-Albania service 15308, document checklist; e-Albania service 15308, procedure; e-Albania service 15309, renewal; Ministry of Interior, residence and unique permit procedure; Muja Law, Law 43/2025 update (EU registration); Ministero degli Esteri, AIRE; INPS, Italy-Albania social security agreement; Italy-Albania double tax treaty, arts. 18-19; Agenzia delle Entrate, circular 20/E 2024 (tax residence); Posta Shqiptare, biometric card voucher
The residence permits on this route, with validity, state fee and processing time.
For people living on a pension above ALL 1,200,000 a year, already paid into an Albanian bank. Lasts 1 year and is renewable. It does not allow any work in Albania.
For people working for an Albanian employer. For EU citizens registration may replace it.
For people self-employed or running a business in Albania, with a NIPT.
For people working remotely for an employer or clients outside Albania. 1 year, renewable.
For owners of at least 50% of a property in Albania, with no minimum value. 1 year, renewable; it does not allow work.
For the spouse, partner or children of someone who holds (or is applying for) a permit. A non-retired partner can join a pensioner; to work they need their own status.
What you need, where it is issued and who takes care of it.
You provide it
Copy of the used pages, with entry stamps. Paper identity cards are no longer valid since 3 August 2026.
You provide it
47×36 mm, white background. Two are sent with the originals.
We take care of it
Needed for the pensioner permit, first application only (e-Albania list), and for the digital nomad permit (Law 43/2025: also from the country of residence). For work, family reunification, property owners and renewals the e-Albania list does not ask for it. It must be issued in the last 6 months, apostilled, translated into Albanian and notarised, so we request it last. It is never read by automated systems and kept only as long as needed.
We take care of it
Proves a pension above ALL 1,200,000 a year. A signed paper copy is needed for the apostille.
We take care of it
The pension must already be paid into the Albanian account: this takes the longest, so we start early.
We take care of it
Albanian insurers are reliably accepted; international policies need checking. We keep only the policy certificate.
You provide it
A lease signed before an Albanian notary, or an ASHK ownership certificate. Short-stay rentals are not accepted. Also needed to register your address.
You provide it
Of the landlord or the person hosting you.
We take care of it
A short personal statement; we draft it in Albanian and you sign it.
The partner law firm takes care of it
Filed by the partner law firm under your power of attorney. The signed form is posted with the originals.
You provide it
The fee is paid at a bank within 24 hours of the emailed invoice; the receipt is posted with the originals.
We take care of it
For a spouse joining through family reunification (art. 41) and for the spouse of an Albanian citizen (art. 40, where an Albanian marriage certificate also works). Paper copy 'for use abroad' from the comune, issued in the last 6 months, apostilled at the Prefettura, translated into Albanian and notarised. Instead of the criminal record. At renewal, only if the office asks for it.
We take care of it
A paper copy is safer: ANPR PDFs may not be apostillable.
We take care of it
For an unmarried partner joining through family reunification, instead of the criminal record: single-status certificate from the comune and a notarial cohabitation declaration (with an Albanian citizen, cohabitation over 1 year). Issued in the last 6 months, apostilled, translated into Albanian and notarised.
We take care of it
For minor children who move, if the other parent stays in Italy.
We take care of it
The permit (or application) of the relative you join.
We take care of it
A deposit of at least ALL 300,000 per person, or an income of at least ALL 32,000 a month per person.
You provide it
Signed by the Albanian employer.
You provide it
Shows you work for people outside Albania. The income threshold is not confirmed yet.
The partner law firm takes care of it
Registration as 'person fizik': free, the NIPT usually arrives in one working day.
The partner law firm takes care of it
At least 50% of the property in your name. Before buying, have a lawyer check the title.
We take care of it
Lets the partner law firm file for you. Fingerprints and card collection are always in person.
The partner law firm takes care of it
Needed after the move so INPS pays a private-sector pension without Italian withholding.
You provide it
From an authorised doctor in Albania.
Every step, who does it and an estimated duration.
A few questions: we tell you your profile, route, documents, costs and what you might lose.
PrepareDone by: You
The assegno sociale and civil invalidity benefits stop abroad; the minimum top-up is probably lost. We check with a patronato before you leave.
PrepareDone by: Partner law firm
AIRE alone is not enough: if your spouse or children stay in Italy, or you spend 183 days or more in Italy, you stay an Italian tax resident. Moving before 1 July is better.
PrepareDone by: Partner law firm
We review your case and sign the fixed-price contract.
PrepareDone by: UsAbout 2 days
Only for pensioners (first application) and digital nomads. For use abroad, at any Procura. We request it last because it must be under 6 months old when filed.
PrepareDone by: YouAbout 7 days
ObisM or Certificazione Unica from MyINPS, or through a patronato. Free.
PrepareDone by: You
Marriage extract (spouses) or single-status certificate with a notarial cohabitation declaration (unmarried couples), on paper 'for use abroad'; for children, family status or birth certificate.
PrepareDone by: You
Procura for the criminal record, notarial acts and sworn translations; Prefettura for administrative certificates. Order: original, apostille, translation.
PrepareDone by: UsAbout 10 days
Usually by an authorised translator in Albania with a notary's certification; otherwise sworn in Italy and apostilled.
PrepareDone by: Partner law firm
We prepare the text; you sign it before a notary or an Albanian consulate.
PrepareDone by: You
Visa-free you can stay 90 days in any 180. The 30 days to apply start here.
ArriveDone by: You
You need a lease signed before an Albanian notary (no short-stay rentals) or ASHK ownership.
ArriveDone by: You
Some banks ask for a permit before opening an account: we point you to a partner bank.
ArriveDone by: You
Citibank pays INPS pensions abroad. The bank's confirmation is one of the application documents.
ArriveDone by: You
A policy valid in Albania for at least a year.
ArriveDone by: You
Registration as 'person fizik': a passport is enough, it is free and usually ready in a day.
ArriveDone by: Partner law firmAbout 1 day
Within 30 days of entry. The partner law firm files it under your power of attorney.
FileDone by: Partner law firmAbout 2 days
The invoice is emailed once the application is accepted: pay it at a bank within 24 hours or the application is rejected.
FileDone by: YouAbout 1 day
Originals, 2 photos, receipt and signed form to the migration office. After 7 days the application is rejected.
FileDone by: UsAbout 7 days
A provisional permit usually covers you until the decision; in practice the decision takes 30-60 days.
FileDone by: AuthoritiesAbout 60 days
If the office asks for more, there are 30 days to supply it.
FileDone by: You
Within 30 days: register the address, pay for the card and give fingerprints in person. We go with you.
FileDone by: YouAbout 30 days
Within 2 weeks of the email. The permit number opens your e-Albania account.
FileDone by: YouAbout 14 days
Within 90 days of moving. We prepare the data; the consulate may ask for more, due within 30 days.
Settle inDone by: You
Private-sector pensions only: stamped by the Albanian tax office, it stops Italian withholding. Takes several months.
Settle inDone by: Partner law firm
AIRE ends your SSN cover. Urgent care in Italy stays free up to 90 days a year only for pensioners without any other insurance.
Settle inDone by: You
For an INPS pensioner the Italian home pays full second-home IMU.
Settle inDone by: You
The flat-rate regime is lost from the year after the move: close or manage it with the accountant.
Settle inDone by: Partner law firm
If you work remotely for an Italian company, contributions move to Albania unless you are formally posted (up to 24 months).
Settle inDone by: You
Every year. If missed, the pension is paid in cash at Western Union and then suspended. Read the Citibank letter: Albania's phase is to be confirmed.
Settle inDone by: YouEvery 12 months
Filed within the 60 days before expiry; we write at 90 days to renew the lease, insurance and bank confirmation.
Settle inDone by: UsEvery 12 months
Every year, before the permit renewal.
Settle inDone by: YouEvery 12 months
By 31 March if taxable income exceeds the threshold; advisable even for exempt pensioners.
Settle inDone by: Partner law firmEvery 12 months
Every month, with your NIPT.
Settle inDone by: YouEvery 1 months
Beyond that, the permit can be annulled.
Settle inDone by: You
Beyond that, you stay an Italian tax resident.
Settle inDone by: You
Within 1 year of residence, with a permit valid over a year and a medical certificate.
Settle inDone by: You
With Italian plates at most 6 months in any 12; otherwise deregister in Italy before leaving and register in Albania. A Green Card is needed.
Settle inDone by: You
Absences of at most 6 months at a time and 10 in total; card renewed every 10 years.
Settle inDone by: You
After 7 years and a permanent permit; Arbëreshë of Albanian origin need no residence period.
Settle inDone by: You
State fees are paid to the authorities; our service is separate, at a fixed price.
| Pensioner residence permit | ALL 4,500 (≈ €47) |
|---|---|
| Unique permit for employees | ALL 8,000 (≈ €83) |
| Unique permit for the self-employed | ALL 8,000 (≈ €83) |
| Digital nomad unique permit | ALL 8,000 (≈ €83) |
| Property owner permit | ALL 4,500 (≈ €47) |
| Family reunification | ALL 4,500 (≈ €47) |
| Essential | €590 per person€850 for a couple |
|---|---|
| Complete | €790 per person€1,150 for a couple |
| Turnkey | €1,190 per person€1,590 for a couple |
| Working in Albania | €920 per person |
| Digital nomad | €750 per person |
About this legal information
Requirements collected from public sources and checked on 15 October 2026 (data/research). Items marked 'to be confirmed' must be validated by the partner law firm and accountant before launch. This is not legal or tax advice.
Sources: Law No. 79/2021 "On Foreigners", consolidated 2025, e-Albania service 15308, document checklist, e-Albania service 15308, procedure, e-Albania service 15309, renewal, Ministry of Interior, residence and unique permit procedure, Muja Law, Law 43/2025 update (EU registration), Ministero degli Esteri, AIRE, INPS, Italy-Albania social security agreement, Italy-Albania double tax treaty, arts. 18-19, Agenzia delle Entrate, circular 20/E 2024 (tax residence), Posta Shqiptare, biometric card voucher · last checked Oct 15, 2026
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Answer a few questions: we tell you which permit fits, the documents you need and what it costs.