SonsözPartner provides international investors, entrepreneurs and business owners with complete consultancy for establishing a company in Albania, opening a branch, registering a representative office, obtaining tax numbers, and ensuring full compliance with Albanian corporate law. Albania has become one of the most attractive jurisdictions in the Western Balkans due to its simplified company formation procedures, EU approximation laws, low corporate tax structure, competitive labor costs and strategic geographic location connecting Europe with the Adriatic trade corridor.
Albanian company law is regulated under Law No. 9901 “On Entrepreneurs and Commercial Companies”, which defines all company types, shareholder liabilities, incorporation requirements and ongoing corporate obligations. Company registration is performed through the National Registration Center – QKB (Qendra Kombëtare e Biznesit), which functions as Albania’s one-stop platform for business registration, tax registration, municipal registration and social security enrollment.
Company Types in Albania
Albanian commercial law recognizes five primary company structures. Each has different liability rules, capital requirements and operational frameworks. Below are the structures defined directly in your provided text, expanded with accurate regulatory details:
1. Individual Business (BI)
An Individual Business is owned by a single person who is fully responsible for all commercial debts with personal assets. This structure is suitable for small-scale operations, freelancers, sole traders and low-risk service providers. No minimum capital is required. Registration is fast and inexpensive, but the owner bears unlimited liability.
2. General Partnership (OP)
A General Partnership consists of one or more partners who share unlimited liability for commercial debts. According to Albanian law, partners manage the business collectively and each partner is jointly and severally responsible for obligations. This structure is rarely chosen by foreign investors due to unlimited risk exposure.
3. Limited Partnership (OK)
A Limited Partnership includes both “general partners,” who hold unlimited liability, and “limited partners,” who are liable only up to the amount of their contributions. This structure allows passive investors to contribute capital without participating in management. It requires a written partnership agreement registered at QKB.
4. Limited Liability Company – SH.PK
The SH.PK (Shoqëri me Përgjegjësi të Kufizuar) is the most common entity for both local and foreign investors. It can be founded by one or more individuals or legal entities. Shareholders have liability limited to their capital contributions. There is no minimum capital requirement under Albanian law, making SH.PK one of the most flexible corporate forms in the region.
SH.PK is ideal for commercial activities, consulting companies, trading businesses, import–export firms, real estate holding companies and online businesses. Corporate governance requires at least one administrator, who may be a foreign national.
5. Joint Stock Company – SH.A
A Joint Stock Company (SH.A) is designed for larger enterprises with equity divided into shares. Shareholders are liable only up to their share capital contributions. The minimum initial capital requirement is €10,000 for private SH.A and up to €25,000 for publicly offered companies. JSC entities are suitable for manufacturing, banking, insurance, large-scale trade, logistics and investment projects.
Company Establishment Procedure in Albania
All companies must be registered with the National Registration Center – QKB through a unified electronic system. Once registered, the company automatically receives its tax number (NIPT), municipal registration and social security ID. The entire process is typically completed within 15 days.
Documents Required for Establishing an SH.PK (Limited Liability Company)
- Notarized passport copies of all founders
- Articles of Association (prepared in accordance with Law 9901)
- Company Statute / Bylaws
- Power of Attorney issued to an Albanian lawyer (notary-approved)
- Electronic QKB form completed by the civil officer
Registration fees are modest and notary costs are lower than in most EU countries. Attorney fees for full incorporation services average €300–700.
Documents Required for a Joint-Stock Company (SH.A)
All requirements above apply, plus:
- Bank guarantee of at least 2,000,000 lek
- Proof of depositing at least 1/4 of the required capital
- Commitment letter for paying the remaining capital
Registering a Branch or Representative Office of a Foreign Company
Foreign companies may open a branch or representative office in Albania. Required documents include:
- Apostilled Articles of Association of the foreign company
- Apostilled Trade Registry Extract from the home country
- Apostilled Tax Registration Certificate
- Apostilled Social Security Certificate
- General Assembly Resolution authorizing the opening of the branch
- Latest audited balance sheet of the foreign parent company
- Statute and incorporation documents of the new Albanian entity
- Bank guarantee (minimum 100,000 lek)
- Notarized passport copies of founders
- Power of Attorney for an Albanian attorney
- QKB registration form
Branches do not require minimum capital deposits. The parent company’s equity may be used directly to support the Albanian branch operations.
Post-Registration: Tax, Municipality and Social Security Obligations
Upon completion of registration, QKB automatically notifies:
- General Directorate of Taxation
- Municipal Tax Departments
- Social Security Directorate
Each company is issued a NIPT (Tax Identification Number), which functions as the business’s unique tax and social security code. Municipal taxes must be paid within one month of registration.
Typical Municipal Fees (Approximate)
- Signage tax: 3,000 lek
- Cleaning tax: 7,000 lek
- Green space tax: 2,000 lek
- Office square-meter taxes: vary by city
Once the company is registered, employees and founders must register with the Social Security Directorate. Employers contribute approximately 16.7% and employees 11.2% of gross salary to social security and health insurance, based on official contribution tables.
Company Liquidation in Albania
The liquidation process depends on company type:
Sole Proprietorship & SH.PK
If there are no outstanding tax liabilities, liquidation is automatically finalized within 45 days from application.
Joint-Stock Company (SH.A)
The liquidation process begins with a formal decision by shareholders, appointment of a liquidator and registration with QKB. Liquidation includes debt settlement, asset distribution and deregistration procedures.
Additional Advantages of Doing Business in Albania
- Corporate tax rates between 0%–15% depending on revenue size
- Low labor costs and young workforce
- EU candidate country with improving regulatory standards
- Strategic access to Italy, Greece, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Montenegro
- Double-taxation treaties with over 40 countries
- Fast digital registration system through e-Albania and QKB
- No restrictions on 100% foreign ownership
- Simplified import/export procedures aligned with EU directives
SonsözPartner Albania – Full Business Setup Support
SonsözPartner assists with every stage of the Albania company formation process, including:
- Entity type selection (SH.PK, SH.A, branch, representative office)
- Preparation of Articles of Association and all corporate documentation
- Local notary processes and sworn translations
- QKB application and follow-up
- Tax registration, NIPT issuance and compliance setup
- Municipal obligations and social security registration
- Long-term compliance, accounting and reporting
- Company liquidation or restructuring
With a professional cross-border advisory structure and Albanian legal partners, we ensure a smooth, compliant and fast incorporation process tailored to your business objectives.