Register a Company in Albania Remotely: Step-by-Step Guide

The table above summarizes the essentials. The sections below explain each step and requirement in detail. For a comparison of entity types, see our guide on sole proprietor vs. LLC in Albania.

Albanian law does not require founders to be physically present in the country to register a business. Both the LLC (SHPK) formation and the sole proprietorship registration can be completed by an authorized representative acting under a valid power of attorney.

The National Business Center (QKB) accepts applications filed by a third party — such as an accountant, lawyer, or consulting firm — provided the PoA meets the following conditions:

• It is notarized in the founder's country of residence by a licensed notary;


• It bears an Apostille (for countries party to the Hague Apostille Convention) or is legalized by the Albanian consulate (for non-Hague countries);


• It clearly specifies the scope of authority — which actions the representative may take on the founder's behalf;


• It is translated into Albanian by a certified/sworn translator.

This means that entrepreneurs from the EU, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, and most other developed countries can form an Albanian company entirely from their home country. The same principle applies to adding partners, amending the company statute, or performing other QKB procedures remotely.

Source: Law No. 9723/2007 "On Business Registration," as amended; QKB — qkb.gov.al.

The power of attorney is the single most important document for remote registration. An incomplete or improperly authenticated PoA is the most common reason applications are rejected or delayed. Here is what you need to know.

What the PoA Must Include

The PoA should explicitly grant the representative authority to:

• Register a new company (SHPK/LLC or sole proprietorship) at the QKB on behalf of the principal;


• Sign the articles of association (act of establishment) and company statute;


• Declare the beneficial owner(s) under Law No. 112/2020;


• Open a bank account in the company's name (if the bank permits it via PoA);


• Register with the tax authorities and obtain the NIPT (tax identification number);


• File for any required licenses or permits;


• Represent the company before any public institution during the registration process.

It is better to be over-inclusive with the scope. If the PoA does not explicitly mention a specific action — for example, beneficial ownership registration — the representative may be unable to complete that step, requiring a new PoA.

Notarization and Apostille Steps

1. Draft the PoA — Work with your Albanian representative or accountant to draft the PoA in both English (or your local language) and Albanian. The Albanian version will be the legally operative one;


2. Notarize — Visit a licensed notary in your country and sign the PoA in person. The notary certifies your identity and signature;


3. Obtain the Apostille — Apply for an Apostille from the competent authority in your country (e.g., the Secretary of State's office in the US, the Foreign Office in the UK, or the Court of Appeal in many EU countries). If your country is not party to the Hague Apostille Convention, you will need consular legalization instead;


4. Send the original — Mail the original notarized and apostilled PoA to your representative in Albania via a secure courier service. Most institutions require the physical original, not a scan.

The entire notarization and apostille process typically takes a few days to a few weeks depending on your country. Planning ahead is important — check processing times with your local apostille authority before you begin.

Once the power of attorney is in hand, the registration process follows the same steps as an in-person formation. Here is the typical sequence for LLC (SHPK) formation:

Step 1: Choose the Entity Type

Most foreign entrepreneurs choose the LLC (SHPK) because of its limited liability protection and flexible structure. If you are unsure, review our comparison of sole proprietor vs. LLC or consult with an accountant.

Step 2: Prepare and Send the Power of Attorney

Follow the notarization and apostille steps described above, then send the original document to your representative in Albania.

Step 3: Draft the Founding Documents

Your representative (or their legal team) prepares:

• The Articles of Association (Akti i Themelimit) — identifies the founders, share capital, ownership percentages, and the administrator;


• The Company Statute (Statuti) — governs internal operations, decision-making, profit distribution, and partner exit procedures.

These documents can be prepared in advance and reviewed remotely via email or video call before the PoA arrives.

Step 4: Submit the Application to the QKB

Using the PoA, your representative files the application at the National Business Center. The QKB reviews the documents and, if everything is in order, issues a registration decision. The company receives its NIPT (tax identification number) upon successful registration.

Step 5: Beneficial Ownership Declaration

Under Law No. 112/2020, all companies must declare their beneficial owners (individuals who ultimately own or control 25% or more of the company). Your representative can file this declaration at the QKB using the PoA.

Step 6: Register with the Tax Authorities

After QKB registration, the company is automatically enrolled with the General Directorate of Taxation. However, depending on the business activity, you may need to register for VAT or other specific tax obligations. See our overview of the Albanian tax system.

Step 7: Open a Business Bank Account

This step is discussed in detail in the section below, as it has specific considerations for remote founders.

Step 8: Begin Operations and Comply with Ongoing Obligations

Once the company is registered and the bank account is open, you can begin operating. From day one, you will have monthly bookkeeping and tax declaration obligations — even if you are managing the business from abroad.

Gather the following documents before starting the process. Having everything ready in advance prevents delays.

From the Founder (You)

• Valid passport — a clear color copy (some banks and the QKB may request a certified/notarized copy);


• Power of attorney — notarized, apostilled (or consular-legalized), and translated into Albanian;


• Proof of address — a recent utility bill or bank statement from your home country (some banks require this);


• Tax residency certificate — if applicable, to determine double-taxation treaty benefits.

Prepared in Albania

• Articles of Association (Akti i Themelimit);


• Company Statute (Statuti);


• Beneficial ownership declaration — required under Law No. 112/2020;


• Registered office address — a physical address in Albania (your representative can arrange this);


• Administrator appointment document — if the administrator is not named in the statute;


• Bank payment receipt — if the share capital has been deposited.

For a detailed cost breakdown, refer to our guide on the cost of starting a business in Albania.

Source: QKB documentation requirements — qkb.gov.al.

Opening a business bank account is often the most challenging part of the remote registration process. While company registration at the QKB can be fully completed via power of attorney, banking policies vary from institution to institution.

What to Expect

• Some Albanian banks accept a power of attorney for account opening, especially when the PoA specifically grants this authority and the representative can provide all required KYC (Know Your Customer) documentation;


• Other banks require the beneficial owner or administrator to appear in person at least once for identity verification, in compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations;


• Video identification — a small but growing number of banks offer remote identity verification via video call, though this is not yet standard across all Albanian banks.

Practical Recommendations

• Ask your representative to contact several banks before registration to confirm whether they accept PoA-based account opening for foreign-owned companies;


• Prepare additional documentation the bank may request: source of funds declarations, business plans, proof of address, and certified passport copies;


• If in-person appearance is required, consider combining it with a short trip to Albania to also meet your accountant and see your registered office;


• Be prepared for the bank's due diligence process to take longer for non-resident founders.

Your representative or accounting firm can guide you to the banks most accommodating of remote founders and help prepare the required documentation.

Registering the company is only the beginning. Albanian law imposes ongoing compliance requirements regardless of where the owner resides. Failing to meet these obligations can result in penalties, suspension of the NIPT, or even de-registration.

Monthly Obligations

• Bookkeeping — all transactions must be recorded in accordance with Albanian accounting standards. An outsourced accountant can manage this entirely on your behalf;


• Tax declarations — monthly tax filings must be submitted to the tax authorities, including income tax withholding, social and health insurance contributions, and other applicable taxes;


• VAT declarations — if your company is VAT-registered, you must file VAT declarations on a monthly basis;


• Payroll declarations — if you have employees, payroll filings are mandatory;


• Fiscalization — all invoices must comply with Albania's fiscalization requirements, meaning they must be electronically reported to the tax authorities in real time.

Annual Obligations

• Annual financial statements — financial statements must be prepared and filed;


• Annual closing balance sheet — the closing balance sheet must be submitted to the QKB and tax authorities;


• Beneficial ownership update — any changes in ownership must be reported to the QKB.

All of these obligations can be managed remotely by an accounting firm based in Albania. This is one of the main reasons foreign founders engage a local accountant from the start.

Remote company formation in Albania is straightforward when done correctly, but several common mistakes can cause delays, extra costs, or legal complications.

1. Incomplete or Vague Power of Attorney

The most frequent issue. If the PoA does not explicitly list all the actions the representative needs to perform — such as beneficial ownership registration or bank account opening — they may be unable to complete those steps. Always draft the PoA with input from your Albanian representative who knows exactly what actions are needed.

2. Missing or Incorrect Apostille

An apostille from the wrong authority, or a document that has been notarized but not apostilled, will be rejected. Confirm which authority issues apostilles in your country and ensure the apostille is attached to the correct document (the PoA itself, not just the notarization certificate).

3. Not Planning for the Bank Account

Many founders assume the bank account can be opened the same way as the QKB registration. In practice, banks have their own requirements and timelines. Start the bank account process in parallel with the company registration, not after.

4. Ignoring Post-Registration Deadlines

Once registered, your company has immediate tax and filing obligations. Some founders register the company and then take weeks to set up accounting — by which time they may have already missed a filing deadline. Engage an accountant before or during registration, not after.

5. Choosing the Wrong Entity Type

Some foreign entrepreneurs register a sole proprietorship when an LLC would better suit their needs (or vice versa). The entity comparison guide can help, but consulting with a professional before committing is always worthwhile.

6. Using Unverified Service Providers

Not all company formation agents in Albania are licensed accountants or lawyers. Verify that your representative is properly qualified and registered with the relevant professional body. An unqualified agent may file documents incorrectly, leading to problems down the line.

7. Forgetting About the Registered Office

Every Albanian company must have a registered office address. If you do not have physical premises, your representative or accountant can usually provide a registered address. Confirm this is arranged before the QKB application is submitted.

Depending on your business activity, you may need to obtain one or more business licenses or permits in addition to the basic company registration. Common examples include:

• Food service and hospitality licenses;


• Construction permits;


• Transport licenses;


• Tourism and travel agency licenses;


• Environmental permits;


• Professional licenses for regulated professions.

Licensing requirements are determined by the business activity codes (NACE codes) you select during registration. Your representative or accountant should advise you on which licenses apply to your specific activity before you begin operations.

Most license applications can also be handled by a representative with a valid power of attorney, though some may require additional documentation or inspections.

For the full list of regulated activities, consult the National Licensing Center (QKL) at qkl.gov.al.

A common question among foreign entrepreneurs: do you need an Albanian residence permit to own or operate a company?

The short answer is no — you do not need a residence permit to be a shareholder (owner) of an Albanian company. Foreign nationals can own 100% of an Albanian LLC without any residency requirement.

However, the situation is different if you plan to live and work in Albania:

• If you will be physically present in Albania and actively managing the business, you will likely need a residence permit;


• If you appoint a local administrator and manage the company remotely, a residence permit is generally not required;


• The rules depend on your nationality, the duration of your stay, and your specific role in the company.

For a detailed overview, see our Albania residence permit guide. Immigration rules change periodically, so always verify the current requirements with the Albanian authorities or a qualified immigration advisor before making plans.

Source: Law No. 79/2021 "Per te Huajt" (On Foreigners), as amended. General Directorate of State Police, Border and Migration Department — mb.gov.al.

Ekonomist Pro is an Albanian accounting and business advisory firm that serves foreign entrepreneurs throughout the entire remote registration process and beyond. Here is what the firm can assist with:

• Power of attorney guidance — advising on the exact scope and wording of the PoA to ensure it covers every required action, reducing the risk of needing a second PoA;


• Document preparation — drafting the articles of association, company statute, and all supporting documents in compliance with Albanian law;


• QKB registration — submitting the full application to the National Business Center and handling any follow-up requests;


• Beneficial ownership declaration — filing the required declaration under Law No. 112/2020;


• Bank account support — coordinating with Albanian banks to identify those that accept PoA-based account opening and preparing the necessary KYC documentation;


• Tax registration — ensuring the company is properly registered with the tax authorities and enrolled for the correct tax obligations;


• Ongoing accounting — providing monthly bookkeeping, tax declarations, fiscalization, and annual financial statements so you remain compliant from abroad;


• License applications — handling business license applications on your behalf where a PoA is accepted.

The firm communicates in English and works with clients across multiple time zones, making the remote working relationship practical and efficient.