Permanent Residence (Albania)

Overview

Permanent residence (Leje Qendrimi e Perhershme) is Albania's settlement status under the Law on Foreigners (Law 79/2021), available after five continuous years of lawful residence, for example on a Unique Permit. It is applied for through the e-Albania portal and issued by the Border and Migration Police, and is normally granted for a long validity. It gives you secure residence and is a stepping stone toward naturalisation, which is a separate process under Albanian citizenship law. Albania is an EU candidate, not an EU member, so this is not an EU long-term residence status.

Eligibility

Application pathway

1. 01

   Check the route fit

   Confirm you meet the five-year continuous-residence rule on a qualifying status such as the Unique Permit.

2. 02

   Build the evidence pack

   Compile your residence history, means of support, accommodation evidence and passport.

3. 03

   Submit through the official channel

   Apply through the e-Albania portal, attend the biometric appointment at the Border and Migration Police, and pay the fees.

4. 04

   After approval

   Maintain the conditions for continued status and, if you wish, pursue naturalisation later as a separate process.

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Compare Republic of Albania with

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Related routes

• Unique Permit (Leje Unike)

  If you are a non-EU national working in Albania, the Unique Permit is the main route - one card combining work and residence, and it includes a remote-work sub-category.

• Unique Permit for Investors

  If you invest in an Albanian business, the investor route of the Unique Permit grants you residence tied to that investment.

• Family Reunification (Albania)

  If a close family member already holds residence in Albania, this route lets you join them and build toward settlement together.