Planning a workation in Durrës? Or a business trip to Tirana or Vlorë? Learn the essential information you and your employees need to work safely and compliantly while traveling in Albania, including working conditions, safety and health regulations, tax treaties, social security, and more.
Capital city
Tirana
Telephone code
+355
Official language
Albanian
Currency
Albanian Lek (ALL)
Time zone
UTC+1
Social security compliance
When working remotely abroad, your employees may become subject to the social security scheme of the destination country, which means you, as an employer, would need to pay social security premiums accordingly. Albania has social security agreements with several countries, available here, to prevent the payment of double social security premiums or non-insurance.
To ensure your employees remain compliant with these treaties, they must possess a valid Certificate of Coverage (CoC) obtained from the relevant local authorities. For WorkFlex users, the CoC is issued automatically after a trip request is submitted. Discover our solution for efficient social security risk mitigation here.
Tax compliance
Albania has signed bilateral tax treaties with numerous countries that specify the steps to take to avoid double taxation, available here. These treaties generally follow international standards and provide guidelines for various types of income, including employment income.
Despite the existence of tax treaties, the issue of Permanent Establishment remains a significant compliance concern for employers with employees temporarily working in Albania. If a traveling employee is deemed to constitute a Permanent Establishment in Albania, the employer may be required to:
- Register the company locally
- Allocate profits to the local business (branch)
- File corporate taxes
- Comply with various local regulations
To avoid this scenario, follow the guidelines mentioned in the "Working" section.
Overriding local employment provisions
Employees traveling to Albania are expected to comply with some basic local employment provisions that may be qualified as overriding, such as minimum salary standards.
Visa
To work legally while in another country, employees generally need a valid work title. It's important to keep in mind that the consequences of entering without the proper documentation can be significant for both the employee and the employer.
For those planning work-from-anywhere trips to Albania, here's a quick overview:
- E-Visa: Available through the online portal
- Visa-Free Entry: Many nationalities can enter Albania without a visa
- Standard Visa: Required for nationalities not eligible for e-visa or visa-free entry
- Visa on Arrival: Available for certain nationalities
- Digital Nomad Visa: Albania offers a Digital Nomad Visa program, allowing remote workers to stay and work legally in the country.
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
For those planning business trips to Albania:
- E-Visa: Available for business visitors
- Visa-Free Entry: Many nationalities can conduct business visits without a visa
- Standard Visa: Required for non-eligible nationalities
- Visa on Arrival: Available for certain nationalities
Need trip-specific visa information? Check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
Working hours
Most employees in Albania work from Monday to Friday, with a standard workweek consisting of 40 hours. The workday is typically running from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with a lunch break of 30 minutes in between.
To remain compliant during your trip abroad, here are some suggestions to follow:
- Avoid working overtime: Regulations regarding overtime can differ significantly and may be much stricter compared to those in your home country.
- Refrain from working outside regular hours: The rules surrounding working outside regular hours may vary and could be stricter than in your home country.
- Do not work on weekends: If the weekend days differ from those in your home country, please avoid working on both your regular weekend days and the local weekend days.
Public holidays
- January 1-2: New Year's Days
- March 14: Summer Day
- March 22: Nevruz Day
- April/May: Easter (Catholic and Orthodox, dates vary)
- May 1: Labor Day
- May/June: Eid al-Fitr (dates vary)
- July/August: Eid al-Adha (dates vary)
- October 19: Mother Teresa Beatification Day
- November 22: Alphabet Day
- November 28: Independence Day
- November 29: Liberation Day
- December 8: Youth Day
- December 25: Christmas Day
Depending on the region you're visiting, there may be additional region-specific public holidays. For more information about these holidays, please check here.
To comply with labor laws, please refrain from working on national or regional holidays during your trip. These days hold significant importance for locals and provide a great opportunity for you to blend in and celebrate with the community.
Working activities
When considering travel for work purposes—whether for a workation or a business trip—it is crucial to understand the implications of Permanent Establishment (PE) and associated tax risks. PE is a significant compliance concern for companies and can become costly due to the administrative burden if the compliance requirements for employees working abroad are not properly managed. To help mitigate these risks, here are a few guidelines to follow.
If you are traveling for a workation, please:
- Refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during your trip.
- Avoid visiting clients or any office, including your employer's local office in the destination country.
Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risks related to Permanent Establishment for your employer.
If you are a business traveler, it may be difficult to avoid the activities mentioned above. In this case, please ensure you inform your employer's compliance department about this matter. If you and your organization are WorkFlex users, this topic is addressed through the WorkFlex platform.
Data protection
Data protection is fundamentally about keeping our information safe from unauthorized access, breaches, theft, or damage. This responsibility is important for everyone, regardless of where they are working.
When employees work temporarily from abroad, data protection involves ensuring continued coverage and compliance with the data protection regulations of both, the home country and the destination country. Albania has implemented the Law No. 9887, dated 10 March 2008 "On Protection of Personal Data". Its level of regulation and enforcement is characterized as moderate. That means the legal framework provides adequate data protection but may lack comprehensive scope, enforcement, or detail. While key areas are covered, certain sectors or practices remain less regulated, learn more about it here.
For WorkFlex users, a comprehensive list of data protection activities is available in the profile, but here are some general data protection guidelines to keep your data safe:
- Adhere to Your Company's Internal Data Policies: Familiarize yourself with and follow your organization’s specific data protection protocols.
- Use Secure Network Connections: Always connect through secure networks, especially when accessing sensitive information.
- Be Aware of Phishing: Stay vigilant against phishing attempts by verifying the authenticity of emails and messages before clicking on any links.
- Utilize Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication: Create complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
- Keep Your Devices in a Secure Location: Always store your devices in safe places to prevent unauthorized access.
- Lock Your Screen Whenever Applicable: Ensure your screen is locked when you're away from your device to protect your information.
Travel health insurance
When traveling to Albania for work—whether for a short business trip or an extended workation—it's essential to have comprehensive health insurance coverage to ensure access to medical care.
For business trips, the employer typically arranges the employee's travel health insurance. However, for workations, these responsibilities can be less clear. WorkFlex takes care of travel health insurance for trips worldwide to ensure there are no costly consequences for either the employee or the employer if accidents occur while working abroad.
For travelers using WorkFlex
If you’re traveling with WorkFlex, comprehensive health insurance is automatically included if your employer has activated this feature. For more details, please refer to your trip request on the WorkFlex platform.
For other travelers
Ensure you have travel health insurance with worldwide coverage, whether for a workation or business trip, so that you can receive adequate medical treatment in case of an emergency.
Urgent safety information
For travelers using WorkFlex:
Please refer to your trip's risk assessment under the "Health and Security" dimension to review any urgent security information relevant to your travel.
For other travelers:
Please visit official authority websites to check for any current threats or urgent security advisories:
Terrorism
Follow the general cautionary measures.
Domestic situation
Protests and demonstrations:
- In Tirana, isolated protests and demonstrations have occasionally turned violent, causing traffic disruptions and heightened tensions.
- Similar incidents may occur in other urban centers, especially in response to political or economic grievances.
Recommendations:
- Stay informed via local media for updates on potential protests.
- Avoid large gatherings or demonstrations, as they can escalate unpredictably.
- Follow the instructions of local security forces to ensure personal safety.
Crime
While violent crime is rare, instances of pickpocketing, car break-ins, and theft from motorhomes or beachgoers have risen, particularly during the busy summer months.
Safety recommendations:
- Exercise extra caution, especially during peak tourist seasons at beaches and in crowded urban areas.
- Secure money, identification, and driver’s licenses, and maintain digital backups of important documents for easier replacement in case of theft.
- Carry only the cash you need for the day and avoid displaying valuable items in public.
- Stay vigilant in crowded areas and keep belongings within sight.
- Do not leave personal items unattended at beaches or in vehicles.
- Be cautious of scams, including unfamiliar emails, prize notifications, or suspicious phone calls. Verify the source of such communications or consult local authorities if in doubt.
Coastal region
- Temperature ranges:
- Summer: 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F)
- Winter: 8°C to 15°C (46°F to 59°F)
- Mediterranean climate
- Hot, dry summers
- Mild, wet winters
Inland/Mountain regions:
- Temperature ranges:
- Summer: 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F)
- Winter: 0°C to 10°C (32°F to 50°F)
- Continental climate
- Cooler temperatures
- Snow in winter at higher elevations
Tirana area:
- Temperature ranges:
- Summer: 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F)
- Winter: 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F)
- Mix of Mediterranean and continental climate
- Hot summers
- Moderate winters
Airports
Tirana International Airport (TIA)
- Location: Tirana
- When to use: Main international hub, primary entry point
- Also known as: Mother Teresa Airport
Kukës International Airport (KFZ)
- Location: Kukës
- When to use: Northern Albania access, regional flights
Train stations
Current status of the railway in Albania:
- Very limited railway system
- Most passenger services suspended
- No international rail connections
- Infrastructure largely non-operational
Historical railway stations:
- Tirana station closed for redevelopment
- Durrës station with minimal freight service
- Most other stations non-operational for now
Ride-hailing services
- Bolt
- Local taxi apps
- Speed Taxi
- Merr Taxi
Public transportation
Bus network
- Primary mode of inter-city transport
- Regular services between major cities
- Modern fleet on main routes
- Frequent connections
Urban networks
Tirana:
- Public bus system
- Bike sharing
- Extensive taxi services
- Walking-friendly city center
Durrës:
- Local bus network
- Beach shuttle services
- Taxi services
- Port connections
Local transportation
- City buses
- Mini-buses (furgons)
- Licensed taxis
- Car rental services