Many investors choose to set up a branch in Albania. This decision requires careful management of local registration and liability laws. If you need help with establishing your presence here, you can rely on our company formation agents in Albania.
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The particularities of a branch office
The difference between a branch office in Albania and a subsidiary is the fact that a subsidiary is a separate legal entity that offers the parent company limited liability protection. When opening a branch in Albania, this will be a direct extension of the parent company and will operate under its direct control.
A foreign company must be aware that a branch is not considered a legal entity in Albania but may perform activities in the name of the parent company and has to pay local and national taxes. As a particularity of the Albanian law, it’s mandatory to register the branches at the National Business Center.
How to register a branch in 2026
The registration of a branch can be performed by the branch’s representative, by the representative of the parent company or by the authorized person in such matters and doesn’t take longer than five working days if all the documents are properly submitted. After notarizing the company’s incorporation documents, the applicant must deliver specific information and documents to the National Business Center.
The requester must provide some mandatory information: the name of the branch, the branch’s duration (if it’s a temporary opened one), the branch activities, details regarding the ownership, the address of the official seat, other address where the branch is performing business activities.
Besides this information, the representative must provide information regarding the parent company: the name and type of company, the date of registration, the duration period, address of registration, the unique number of registration, the amount of capital, the head office’s address, type of performed activities.
Businessmen who are considering expanding their businesses in other European countries, such as Greece, should know that they can choose either setting up a branch office, a subsidiary or opening a new company there. No matter the business form they opt for, this team of experts – CompanyFormationGreece.com – can help them open businesses in Greece.
Other details that have to be submitted are concerning the representative of the foreign company, the administrators, details regarding the person authorized to register the branch (mandatory if it’s not registered by the branch’s administrator or the parent company’s representative).
An Albanian branch may also provide voluntary information regarding the website, email address, telephone number, fax number, logo or the commercial name of business. The business can choose a virtual office solution as their official address.
The same option is available in case you want to start a branch office in Germany, the incorporation timeframe is around 7 weeks and if you need assistance in expanding your business in this country, this team of company formation agents in Germany can definitely help you.
A declaration for tax, social and health insurance and labor purposes must also be submitted by the branch. Attached to the these, the following documents must be submitted to the NCR:
- the articles of incorporation;
- the certificate of registration of the parent company;
- a proof that the company is in good standing and a notification if the company is in bankruptcy or in liquidation;
- the last year’s balance sheet of the parent company;
- the decision of opening a branch and the decision of appointing the branch’s administrator;
- the administrator’s ID and his authorized signature and if necessary the representative ID and a documents which grants him the permission for submitting the application(the last two only if the application is registered by another person than the branch’s administrator).
The proof of good standing and the Articles of Incorporation of the parent company must be apostilled and officially translated into Albanian. The law which governs the process of company formation in Albania is the Law No. 9723, dated 03.05.2007.
Post-registration compliance
The National Business Center provides a Unique Business Identification Number (NIPT), which serves as the tax number for the branch, making it ready for immediate operation. When opening a company in Albania, it is important to know that tax registration is done automatically by the National Business Center. The company then deals with the General Directorate of Taxes for ongoing compliance.
After you establish the branch in Albania, you need to find a good accounting firm. The company will work with the General Directorate of Taxes (DPT) for compliance, which usually means filing paperwork every month for VAT and employee social security payments. What is different about branches when you set up a company in Albania is that they must submit the parent company’s annual financial report to the National Business Center, along with their own yearly tax form.
The next step after establishing a branch in Albania is applying for industry-specific permits and licenses. There are licenses for financial services, telecommunications, construction and design activities, tourism and hospitality and the import/export of certain goods. Investors must determine the exact license required for their activities and apply to the designated ministry. Our company formation agents in Albania can also assist you to properly apply for the necessary permit.
Employment updates for 2026
Investors who want to open a branch in Albania in 2026 will need to hire employees. In Albania, it is possible to hire both local and foreign workforce, provided that, for the latter, the necessary immigration formalities have been successfully completed. For both categories of employees, the employer will need to pay the same types of taxes – one of which is social contributions. In 2026, the employer is required to pay social contributions at a rate of 15%, while the employee, at a rate of 9.5%.
Please mind that starting with the beginning of 2026, the minimum gross monthly salary has been increased to ALL 50,000. Prior to 2026, the minimum salary was ALL 40,000.
To ensure your expansion is done correctly, without exposing your parent company to unnecessary liabilities, contact our specialists. They are experienced in anything related to company formation and will handle the entire process of establishing your branch office in Albania.
Partner: Firmengründung in Albanien