Your first 90 days in Albania: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · September 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
The permit is tied to the exact ground you applied under — employment, self-employment, family, or the 'unique residence permit' — and changing your circumstances usually means a new application rather than an amendment. Renewals also start from scratch, so build in the same lead time each year.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Apply for the leje qëndrimi (residence permit) through e-Albania, then give biometrics at the regional Border and Migration Police directorate
Within 30 days of entry if you intend to stay beyond the visa-free period — visa-free stay for many nationalities runs to 90 days in any 180
The whole file is uploaded as PDFs to your e-Albania account before any appointment; the police directorate only takes fingerprints and checks originals. Expect to produce a notarised lease or property deed as proof of address.
Get your NIPT / NID personal identification number
Banks, the tax administration, utility contracts and any freelance registration key off it, and the residence-permit card carries the personal number itself.
The personal number is assigned with the residence permit card; a NIPT for self-employment or a company is registered separately with the National Business Centre (QKB).
Open a bank account
Banks (Raiffeisen, Credins, BKT, Intesa) open accounts for permit holders on the permit card plus proof of address; some will open a limited account for a passport holder. Albania is a cash-heavy market and card acceptance thins fast outside Tirana, so keep a bridging multi-currency account.
Enrol in healthcare
The compulsory scheme is run by FSDKSH: employees and the self-employed contribute and get a health card covering the public network, and the primary-care GP you register with is the gateway to everything else. Public facilities are thin, so most foreign residents carry private cover and use the private hospitals in Tirana.
Sort your driver's license
A foreign licence is generally accepted for the first year of residence; after that Albania expects a conversion, and whether you convert on paper or must sit exams depends on a reciprocity agreement with the issuing country — US licences have historically required the tests. An International Driving Permit smooths roadside checks either way.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Albania: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Albania?
Apply for the leje qëndrimi (residence permit) through e-Albania, then give biometrics at the regional Border and Migration Police directorate — Within 30 days of entry if you intend to stay beyond the visa-free period — visa-free stay for many nationalities runs to 90 days in any 180. The whole file is uploaded as PDFs to your e-Albania account before any appointment; the police directorate only takes fingerprints and checks originals. Expect to produce a notarised lease or property deed as proof of address. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the NIPT / NID personal identification number and do I need one?
NIPT / NID personal identification number is Albania's personal tax/ID number. Banks, the tax administration, utility contracts and any freelance registration key off it, and the residence-permit card carries the personal number itself. The personal number is assigned with the residence permit card; a NIPT for self-employment or a company is registered separately with the National Business Centre (QKB).
Can I drive in Albania on a US license?
A foreign licence is generally accepted for the first year of residence; after that Albania expects a conversion, and whether you convert on paper or must sit exams depends on a reciprocity agreement with the issuing country — US licences have historically required the tests. An International Driving Permit smooths roadside checks either way. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Albania?
The compulsory scheme is run by FSDKSH: employees and the self-employed contribute and get a health card covering the public network, and the primary-care GP you register with is the gateway to everything else. Public facilities are thin, so most foreign residents carry private cover and use the private hospitals in Tirana. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Albania's system treats foreign residents.