Leveraging the Adriatic's emerging tech hub and highly competitive operational landscape.
Albanian Lek (ALL)
Tirana
GMT+1 (CET)
Albania is rapidly transforming into a strategic gateway between the Mediterranean and the rest of Europe. With a focus on digital innovation and a business-friendly environment, it has become an attractive destination for companies seeking high-quality BPO, IT, and administrative support at a competitive cost.
Located in Southern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula, Albania boasts extensive coastlines along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. It shares borders with Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Greece. Tirana, the capital, is the country's beating cultural and industrial heart.
The country enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Coastal regions stay pleasant year-round, while the Albanian Alps in the north offer a more rugged, mountainous environment.
Albanian culture is centered around family, hospitality, and a direct communication style. It is a society that places a high value on building strong personal relationships, which often serves as a prerequisite for successful business partnerships.
Albanian is the official language. Due to its historical ties and young, educated population, English and Italian are exceptionally common in business and professional circles, making it a highly accessible market for international teams.
Albania employs a progressive tax system. For 2026, personal income tax rates typically range from 13% to 23% depending on the salary level.
The social security system in Albania covers both social and health insurance. For 2026, the minimum salary threshold for contributions is set at ALL 50,000, while the maximum is ALL 186,416.
| Types of Contribution | Contribution rate % (by employer) | Contribution rate % (by employee) |
|---|---|---|
| Social Insurance | 15.0% | 9.5% |
| Health Insurance | 1.7% | 1.7% |
| Total | 16.7% | 11.2% |
The Monday Rule: If an official public holiday falls on a weekend (Saturday or Sunday), the day off is usually observed on the following Monday.
| Occasion | Date in 2026 |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1–2 |
| Orthodox Christmas | January 7 |
| Summer Day | March 14 (Observed March 16) |
| Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) | March 20 |
| Nevruz Day | March 22 (Observed March 23) |
| Catholic Easter Monday | April 6 |
| Orthodox Easter Monday | April 13 |
| International Labor Day | May 1 |
| Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) | May 27 |
| Mother Teresa Beatification Day | September 5 (Observed September 7) |
| Independence Day | November 28 (Observed November 30) |
| Liberation Day | November 29 (Observed December 1) |
| National Youth Day | December 8 |
| Christmas Day | December 25 |
Salaries are typically paid monthly in Albanian Lek (ALL). While international contracts often benchmark salaries in EUR or USD, final payments must be executed in the national currency.
The standard legal work week is 40 hours, usually structured as 8 hours per day over 5 days. Employers must maintain accurate records, as any work beyond these limits is treated as overtime, capped at an average of 48 hours per week.
Employees are entitled to a minimum of 4 calendar weeks (typically 20-22 working days) of paid annual leave per year. Some sectors provide up to 30 days depending on the contract.
Female employees are entitled to 365 days of maternity leave. The first 6 months are compensated at 80% of the average net salary, while the remaining period is covered at 50%.
Fathers are entitled to 3 days of paid paternity leave at the time of birth, covered by the employer.
For an adopted child up to one year old, employees are entitled to 330 days of leave from the day of adoption.