Open a Company in Albania as an Egyptian Citizen

Introduction

For Egyptian entrepreneurs, opening a company in Albania involves one step that founders from many other countries no longer have to think about: consular legalisation of documents. Egypt is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so Egyptian papers cannot simply be apostilled. Everything else — company law, registration, accounting — works the same way as for any foreign founder.

That makes planning the decisive factor. Founders who prepare their documents in the right order move through the Albanian process without surprises; founders who start with the company and only then look at the paperwork often have to go back to Cairo for another round.

This guide is written for Egyptian citizens who want to open a company in Albania, alone, with partners or through an Egyptian company. It covers:

• entry and visa rules for Egyptian passport holders, including the exemption for holders of certain visas
• the two-step legalisation of Egyptian documents
• the company forms and how to choose
• registration step by step
• residence permits under Law no. 79/2021
• bank accounts, accounting and tax
• typical mistakes and our advice

We do not publish prices or durations here: both depend on your documents and on how quickly they are legalised. We give you a written quote for your case.

Why Egyptian Entrepreneurs Look at Albania

Egyptian founders usually come to Albania with a European project in mind — a trading company, a service business or a base for future expansion. A few features of the Albanian system fit these plans well.

Foreign ownership without restrictions in principle

Albanian law lets a foreign citizen own and manage an Albanian company without an Albanian partner. You can found it alone, with Egyptian partners or through your Egyptian company.

One register, one tax number

The National Business Center (QKB) registers the company, assigns its tax number (NIPT) and notifies the tax administration and social insurance in the same procedure.

A Mediterranean country on Europe’s doorstep

Albania is an EU candidate country between Italy and Greece. Trading, logistics and service companies can serve European clients from a European base.

English-speaking support

We work with foreign founders in English. The Albanian-language side — notary, register, tax filings — is handled locally.

Entry and Visa for Egyptian Citizens

Egyptian citizens need a visa to enter Albania. The application is made online at e-visa.al.

When an Albanian visa is not required

You can enter without an Albanian visa if you hold:

• a valid multiple-entry Schengen, US or UK visa already used at least once to enter the country that issued it, or
• a valid residence permit from a Schengen country, the United States or the United Kingdom.

With this exemption the stay is limited to 90 days within any 180-day period. If you travel to Europe for business and hold such a visa, check this first.

Staying to run the business

Long stays fall under Law no. 79/2021 “On Foreigners” and Council of Ministers Decision no. 858 of 29.12.2021. The long-stay (Type D) visas include a visa for self-employed persons (D/VP) and a visa for investors (D/I).

→ Read our complete guide to Albanian visas

Documents: Consular Legalisation

Because Egypt is not a party to the Apostille Convention, an apostille is not available for Egyptian documents. They need consular legalisation, which has two steps:

1. legalisation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, then
2. legalisation by the Albanian diplomatic representation.

Only after both steps will Albanian institutions — notaries, the QKB, banks and the migration authorities — treat the document as valid. The same applies to the corporate documents of an Egyptian company that founds the Albanian company or opens a branch.

Typical documents

• a notarised copy of your passport
• a power of attorney, if a representative signs for you in Albania
• for an Egyptian parent company: its registration extract, constitutional documents and the resolution approving the Albanian company or branch
• for residence: documents about your personal situation, depending on the permit

Legalised documents are then translated into Albanian by a certified translator. Send us your list first — we tell you which documents to legalise, so you only go through the procedure once.

Company Options for Egyptian Founders

Three forms cover almost every situation:

The Sh.p.k. is the usual choice: limited liability, flexible ownership and the form Albanian partners and banks know best. If your Egyptian company invests, remember that a branch and a subsidiary both require the parent company’s documents to go through consular legalisation — plan the paperwork for the company and for yourself at the same time.

→ Read about company setup for foreign companies

Opening the Company Step by Step

For Egyptian founders the process looks like this:

1. Initial consultation. Activity, shareholders, founder (you or your company) and your residence plans.
2. Legalisation plan. A precise list of documents to legalise, so that everything goes through the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Albanian representation in one round.
3. Legalisation. Documents are legalised in the two steps described above.
4. Translation and notary in Albania. Certified translations, then signature of the founding act before a notary — by you or by your representative under a power of attorney.
5. QKB registration. The company is registered and receives its NIPT; tax administration and social insurance are notified.
6. Operational setup. Bank account, tax portal, VAT if applicable, licences and accounting.

We do not quote durations: the Albanian part depends on complete documents, and the legalisation depends on the authorities involved.

→ Our Sh.p.k. and NIPT registration service

Residence Permit Through Your Company

Registering a company does not give you the right to live in Albania. That right comes from a residence permit under Law no. 79/2021 “On Foreigners”, and the permit depends on your purpose of stay — work, self-employment, investment or family — and your role in the company.

Egyptian founders usually combine a long-stay visa (for example D/VP or D/I) with a residence permit applied for in Albania. Personal documents for the permit also need consular legalisation, so we plan them in the same round as the company documents whenever possible.

→ Read our residence and work permit service

Opening a Bank Account

Albanian banks assess every new client individually, and an account can never be guaranteed in advance. For foreign-owned companies the file needs to be complete and consistent.

• Ownership and source of funds are examined closely; prepare clear explanations and supporting documents.
• Legalised and translated documents are required, exactly as for the register — an apostille is not an option for Egyptian papers.
• In-person meetings are common; plan your trip around your visa or your Schengen, US or UK visa.
• Consistent Latin spelling of names across all documents avoids delays.

We assemble the bank file with you and advise on where to apply.

→ Read our guide to banking for foreigners

Accounting and Tax After Registration

Once registered, your company must keep accounts and file tax declarations in Albania, including in months without activity. Filings are electronic.

If you run the company from Egypt, we act as your accounting department in Albania:

• bookkeeping and periodic declarations
• VAT registration and returns where applicable
• payroll and social contributions
• annual financial statements
• reports in English and coordination with your accountant in Egypt

→ Our accounting and tax service

→ Read our guide to taxes for foreigners in Albania

Practical Examples

Two illustrative scenarios (not client cases):

Mistakes to Avoid

Professional Advice

Our recommendations for Egyptian founders:

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

An Albanian company is well within reach for Egyptian entrepreneurs. Ownership is open to foreigners, registration runs through one office, and English-speaking support covers the Albanian side.

The key is the order of things: legalisation planned in one round, names aligned, residence considered from the start and accounting in place from the first day. We are happy to plan this with you.