Albania
Residence Permit for Pensioners
Albania's Residence Permit for Pensioners allows foreign nationals who receive pension income from their home country to reside in Albania. Established under Article 85 of Law No. 79/2021 "On Foreigners," the program is administered by the General Directorate of Border and Migration under the Ministry of Interior. It is issued as a Type B renewable residence permit. Holders benefit from Albania's low cost of living, favourable tax treatment of foreign pension income, and Mediterranean climate, though they may not engage in economic or professional activities in Albania.
- Entitled to receive a pension in home country
- Minimum monthly pension of ALL 120,000 (approximately EUR 1,160 / ALL 1,200,000 per year)
- Pension must be regularly transferred to an Albanian bank account (statement from a second-tier bank required)
- Valid health insurance covering Albania for at least 1 year
- Notarized rental agreement for accommodation (minimum 20 m² per person)
- Clean criminal record from country of origin
- No minimum or maximum age restriction
- Completed application form
- Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity
- Two recent photographs (47 mm x 36 mm, taken within the last 6 months)
- Pension document from country of origin certifying monthly pension of at least ALL 120,000, legalized and apostilled
- Statement from a second-tier (commercial) bank in Albania confirming pension transfer arrangements
- Health insurance certificate valid in Albania (minimum 1 year coverage)
- Criminal record certificate from country of origin, legalized and apostilled (valid for 6 months)
- Notarized rental agreement for accommodation in Albania (minimum 20 m² per person)
- Statement on the motive of stay in Albania
The permit is issued for 1 year and renewable annually. Renewal applications must be submitted at least 30 days before the current permit expires with updated documentation. After 5 years of continuous legal residence, holders may apply for permanent residence (Type C permit, indefinite duration). After 7 years of continuous legal residence, holders become eligible for Albanian citizenship by naturalization.
Permit holders may pursue family reunification with a spouse or partner. Family members apply for dependent residence permits through the General Directorate of Border and Migration. The main applicant must demonstrate sufficient additional income to support dependants during their stay in Albania.
Foreign-sourced pension income is exempt from Albanian personal income tax for retirement visa holders. EU citizens receive additional exemptions. Residents spending 183 or more days in Albania are generally classified as tax residents and taxed on worldwide income, but pension income from abroad is specifically exempt. Personal income tax on employment income is progressive at 13% (up to ALL 2,040,000) and 23% (above that threshold). Dividend income is taxed at 8%.
The process follows two stages. Applicants who require a visa must first obtain a Type D long-stay visa ("Visa for Pensioners") either online through the e-visa.al portal or at an Albanian embassy or consulate. The Type D visa is processed within 15 days, exceptionally up to 30 days.
Once in Albania, the applicant submits a residence permit application through the e-Albania portal or in person at regional offices of the General Directorate of Border and Migration. The residence permit is processed within a maximum of 12 weeks.
Citizens of countries with visa-free arrangements (including EU/EEA member states and the United States, who may enter and stay up to 1 year without a visa) may apply directly for a residence permit without first obtaining a Type D visa.
Fees: Type D visa approximately ALL 11,400 (EUR 100); residence permit application approximately ALL 6,300-10,500 (EUR 60-100); renewal approximately ALL 5,300-8,400 (EUR 50-80).
Upon receiving the residence permit, the holder must register their accommodation with local authorities and carry the residence permit or passport at all times as proof of legal status.
Links
Other Digital Nomad Visas in Europe
Country↑ | Program↕ | Income↕ | Investment↕ | Funds Required↕ | Capital Required↕ | Duration↕ | Dependants↕ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🇦🇱 Albania | Residence Permit for Pensioners | — | — | — | ||||
🇦🇱 Albania | Residence Permit for Real Estate Owners | — | — | — | ||||
🇦🇱 Albania | Unique Permit for Digital Mobile Workers | — | — | — | ||||
🇦🇱 Albania | Unique Permit for Investors | — | — | — | ||||
🇦🇩 Andorra | Digital Nomad Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇦🇩 Andorra | Entrepreneur Residence Permit | — | — | — | — | |||
🇦🇩 Andorra | Residence for Scientific, Cultural and Sporting Interest | — | — | — | ||||
🇦🇩 Andorra | Residence Without Lucrative Activity | — | — | — | ||||
🇦🇹 Austria | Job Seeker Visa (Red-White-Red Card) | — | — | — | ||||
🇦🇹 Austria | Red-White-Red Card for Start-up Founders | — | — | — | ||||
🇦🇹 Austria | Settlement Permit — Artist | — | — | — | ||||
🇦🇹 Austria | Settlement Permit Excluding Gainful Employment | — | — | — | ||||
🇧🇾 Belarus | Hi-Tech Park Resident | — | — | — | ||||
🇧🇾 Belarus | Investor Permanent Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇧🇪 Belgium | Professional Card for Entrepreneur | — | — | — | ||||
🇧🇪 Belgium | Rentier Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇧🇬 Bulgaria | Continuous Residence Permit for Pensioners | — | — | — | ||||
🇧🇬 Bulgaria | Digital Nomad Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇧🇬 Bulgaria | Investor Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇧🇬 Bulgaria | Startup Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇭🇷 Croatia | Temporary Stay for Other Purposes (Property Ownership) | — | — | — | ||||
🇭🇷 Croatia | Temporary Stay of Digital Nomads | — | — | — | ||||
🇨🇾 Cyprus | Category D Immigration Permit | — | — | — | — | |||
🇨🇾 Cyprus | Category F Immigration Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇨🇾 Cyprus | Digital Nomad Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇨🇾 Cyprus | Permanent Residence Permit for Investors | — | — | — | ||||
🇨🇾 Cyprus | Startup Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇨🇿 Czech Republic | Digital Nomad Program | — | — | — | ||||
🇨🇿 Czech Republic | Long-Term Residence Permit for the Purpose of Investment | — | — | — | ||||
🇪🇪 Estonia | Digital Nomad Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇪🇪 Estonia | Residence Permit for Major Investor | — | — | — | ||||
🇪🇪 Estonia | Startup Visa | — | — | — | — | |||
🇫🇮 Finland | Residence Permit for Work in Culture or Arts | — | — | — | ||||
🇫🇮 Finland | Startup Residence Permit | — | — | — | — | |||
🇫🇷 France | Carte de Sejour Temporaire Visiteur | — | — | — | ||||
🇫🇷 France | Talent Porteur de Projet — Business Creation | — | — | — | ||||
🇫🇷 France | Talent Porteur de Projet — Direct Economic Investment | — | — | — | ||||
🇫🇷 France | Talent Porteur de Projet — Innovative Economic Project (French Tech Visa) | — | — | — | ||||
🇫🇷 France | Talent — Artistic and Cultural Profession | — | — | — | ||||
🇫🇷 France | Talent — International Reputation | — | — | — | — | |||
🇩🇪 Germany | Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) | — | — | — | ||||
🇩🇪 Germany | Freelance Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇩🇪 Germany | Residence Permit for Financially Independent Persons | — | — | — | ||||
🇩🇪 Germany | Self-Employment Residence Permit for Business Founders | — | — | — | ||||
🇩🇪 Germany | Settlement Permit for Highly Qualified Professionals | — | — | — | — | |||
🇬🇷 Greece | Digital Nomad Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇬🇷 Greece | Golden Visa (Permanent Residence Permit for Investor) | — | — | — | ||||
🇬🇷 Greece | Residence Permit for Financially Independent Persons | — | — | — | ||||
🇬🇷 Greece | Talent Visa | — | — | — | — | |||
🇬🇬 Guernsey | Guernsey Entrepreneur Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇬🇬 Guernsey | Guernsey Investor Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇭🇺 Hungary | Guest Investor Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇭🇺 Hungary | Guest Self-Employment Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇭🇺 Hungary | White Card | — | — | — | ||||
🇮🇸 Iceland | Long-Term Visa for Remote Work | — | — | — | ||||
🇮🇪 Ireland | Stamp 0 (Person of Independent Means) | — | — | — | ||||
🇮🇪 Ireland | Start-Up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) | — | — | — | ||||
🇮🇲 Isle of Man | Innovator Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇮🇲 Isle of Man | Start-Up Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇮🇹 Italy | Digital Nomad Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇮🇹 Italy | Elective Residence Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇮🇹 Italy | Investor Visa for Italy | — | — | — | ||||
🇮🇹 Italy | Italia Startup Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇯🇪 Jersey | High Value Residency Programme | — | — | — | ||||
🇽🇰 Kosovo | Self-Employment Work Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇱🇻 Latvia | Investor Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇱🇻 Latvia | Long-Stay Visa for Remote Work | — | — | — | ||||
🇱🇻 Latvia | Startup Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇱🇻 Latvia | Temporary Residence Permit for Pensioners | — | — | — | ||||
🇱🇮 Liechtenstein | Residence Permit Without Gainful Employment | — | — | — | ||||
🇱🇹 Lithuania | Startup Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇱🇺 Luxembourg | Investor Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇱🇺 Luxembourg | Job Seeker Authorisation | — | — | — | ||||
🇱🇺 Luxembourg | Residence Permit for Private Reasons | — | — | — | ||||
🇱🇺 Luxembourg | Self-Employed Worker Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇹 Malta | Global Residence Programme | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇹 Malta | Malta Permanent Residence Programme | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇹 Malta | Malta Retirement Programme | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇹 Malta | Nomad Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇹 Malta | Startup Residence Programme | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇹 Malta | The Residence Programme | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇹 Malta | United Nations Pensions Programme | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇩 Moldova | Digital Nomad Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇩 Moldova | Investment Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇨 Monaco | Residence Permit for Persons Without Professional Activity | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇪 Montenegro | Digital Nomad Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇪 Montenegro | Temporary Residence and Work Permit for Entrepreneurs | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇪 Montenegro | Temporary Residence Permit for Property Owners | — | — | — | ||||
🇳🇱 Netherlands | Orientation Year Residence Permit | — | — | — | — | |||
🇳🇱 Netherlands | Startup Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇲🇰 North Macedonia | Personal Work Permit for Self-Employment | — | — | — | ||||
🇳🇴 Norway | Self-Employment Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇵🇹 Portugal | D7 Passive Income Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇵🇹 Portugal | D8 Digital Nomad Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇵🇹 Portugal | Golden Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇵🇹 Portugal | Job Seeker Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇵🇹 Portugal | Residence Permit for Highly Qualified Activity | — | — | — | ||||
🇵🇹 Portugal | StartUP Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇷🇴 Romania | Digital Nomad Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇷🇴 Romania | Long-Stay Visa for Commercial Activities | — | — | — | ||||
🇷🇺 Russia | Impatriation Residence Permit | — | — | — | — | |||
🇷🇺 Russia | Investor Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇸🇲 San Marino | Atypical Residence for Pensioners | — | — | — | ||||
🇸🇲 San Marino | Elective Residence | — | — | — | ||||
🇸🇲 San Marino | High-Tech Startup Residence | — | — | — | ||||
🇷🇸 Serbia | Investor Temporary Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇷🇸 Serbia | Property Ownership Temporary Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇷🇸 Serbia | Startup Temporary Residence Permit | — | — | — | — | |||
🇷🇸 Serbia | Talent Temporary Residence Permit | — | — | — | — | |||
🇸🇰 Slovakia | Temporary Residence for Business Purpose | — | — | — | ||||
🇸🇮 Slovenia | Temporary Residence Permit for Digital Nomads | — | — | — | ||||
🇸🇮 Slovenia | Temporary Residence Permit for Other Justified Reasons | — | — | — | ||||
🇪🇸 Spain | Entrepreneur Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇪🇸 Spain | International Telework Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇪🇸 Spain | Non-Lucrative Residence Visa | — | — | — | ||||
🇸🇪 Sweden | Residence Permit for Job Seeking | — | — | — | ||||
🇸🇪 Sweden | Residence Permit for Highly Qualified Persons | — | — | — | — | |||
🇸🇪 Sweden | Self-Employment Residence Permit | — | — | — | ||||
🇨🇭 Switzerland | Residence Permit Without Gainful Employment | — | — | — | ||||
🇺🇦 Ukraine | Immigration Permit for Highly Qualified IT Specialists | — | — | — | — | |||
🇺🇦 Ukraine | Immigration Permit for Investors | — | — | — | ||||
🇺🇦 Ukraine | Temporary Residence Permit for Investors | — | — | — | ||||
🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Global Talent Visa | — | — | — | — | |||
🇬🇧 United Kingdom | High Potential Individual Visa | — | — | — | — | |||
🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Innovator Founder Visa | — | — | — |