How it works, step by step

Check-up, contract and documents from home.

1. Free check-up

   A few questions: we tell you your profile, route, documents, costs and what you might lose.

2. Check which benefits you would lose

   The assegno sociale and civil invalidity benefits stop abroad; the minimum top-up is probably lost. We check with a patronato before you leave.

3. Tax residence plan

   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.

4. Call with your Italian contact

   We review your case and sign the fixed-price contract.

5. Request the criminal record certificate

   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.

6. INPS pension certificate

   ObisM or Certificazione Unica from MyINPS, or through a patronato. Free.

7. Civil status certificates for use abroad

   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.

8. Apostilles in Italy

   Procura for the criminal record, notarial acts and sworn translations; Prefettura for administrative certificates. Order: original, apostille, translation.

9. Translation into Albanian

   Usually by an authorised translator in Albania with a notary's certification; otherwise sworn in Italy and apostilled.

10. Sign the power of attorney for the law firm

    We prepare the text; you sign it before a notary or an Albanian consulate.

Bank account and local tax number.

1. Enter Albania

   Visa-free you can stay 90 days in any 180. The 30 days to apply start here.

2. Home and notarised lease

   You need a lease signed before an Albanian notary (no short-stay rentals) or ASHK ownership.

3. Albanian bank account

   Some banks ask for a permit before opening an account: we point you to a partner bank.

4. Pension paid into the Albanian account

   Citibank pays INPS pensions abroad. The bank's confirmation is one of the application documents.

5. Health insurance for 1 year

   A policy valid in Albania for at least a year.

6. NIPT registration

   Registration as 'person fizik': a passport is enough, it is free and usually ready in a day.

Pension, registration and worry-free renewals.

1. AIRE registration on Fast It

   Within 90 days of moving. We prepare the data; the consulate may ask for more, due within 30 days.

2. Form EP-I for the gross pension

   Private-sector pensions only: stamped by the Albanian tax office, it stops Italian withholding. Takes several months.

3. Italian healthcare after AIRE

   AIRE ends your SSN cover. Urgent care in Italy stays free up to 90 days a year only for pensioners without any other insurance.

4. Italian home: IMU, TARI and utilities

   For an INPS pensioner the Italian home pays full second-home IMU.

5. Italian VAT number

   The flat-rate regime is lost from the year after the move: close or manage it with the accountant.

6. Contributions for remote employees

   If you work remotely for an Italian company, contributions move to Albania unless you are formally posted (up to 24 months).

7. Citibank proof of life

   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.

8. Permit renewal

   Filed within the 60 days before expiry; we write at 90 days to renew the lease, insurance and bank confirmation.

9. Health insurance renewal

   Every year, before the permit renewal.

10. Albanian income tax return

    By 31 March if taxable income exceeds the threshold; advisable even for exempt pensioners.

11. Monthly self-employed contributions

    Every month, with your NIPT.

12. Under 180 days a year outside Albania

    Beyond that, the permit can be annulled.

13. Under 183 days a year in Italy

    Beyond that, you stay an Italian tax resident.

14. Driving licence conversion

    Within 1 year of residence, with a permit valid over a year and a medical certificate.

15. Car: Italian plates or import

    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.

16. Permanent residence after 5 years

    Absences of at most 6 months at a time and 10 in total; card renewed every 10 years.

17. Albanian citizenship

    After 7 years and a permanent permit; Arbëreshë of Albanian origin need no residence period.