Albania permanent residence permit (type C)

Article 91 grants a permanent permit to foreigners whose parents or grandparents are Albanian citizens, and to children born in Albania to parents holding permanent permits, regardless of the usual criteria. A foreigner who has made an investment in strategic sectors under the strategic investment legislation, with the Strategic Investments Committee's decision, receives a permanent permit for themselves, their family and up to five key staff on open-ended contracts. Self-employed foreigners may obtain a permanent permit after three years if their business succeeded, and investors after their second permit of three years. Highly qualified workers receive a separate permanent Blue Card AL-C.

Article 87 of the Law on Foreigners requires at least five years of lawful and continuous residence counted from the first residence permit application; absences of up to six months at a time, totalling no more than ten months within the five years, do not break continuity, and longer absences are accepted for justified reasons such as postings abroad if the office was notified in advance. You must also prove lawful income and financial resources that are sufficient, stable and continuous for yourself and your family without social assistance, coverage under the Albanian health insurance system, suitable housing for the family and regular payment of all taxes and obligations during your stay. Recognised refugees also qualify.

Time spent studying or in vocational training counts for half. Applicants who stay only to continue studies, are under temporary or subsidiary protection or awaiting a decision on it, are asylum seekers, or hold seasonal or cross-border permits cannot obtain permanent residence on that basis.

For a permanent permit type C, e-Albania lists a copy of the travel document, a photo of 47 x 36 mm, proof of suitable accommodation (certificate or lease), proof of health insurance coverage in Albania, proof of lawful, sufficient and stable financial resources, and a certificate of judicial status issued in Albania. Special cases add a marriage or family certificate showing the Albanian parent or grandparent, or the birth certificate and the parents' permanent permits, or the Strategic Investments Committee decision with family certificates or employment contracts of key staff.

Apply on e-Albania, choosing the permanent or permanent-special reason, to the regional Border and Migration authority where you live, 60 days before your current permit expires. If something is missing you are asked to complete it within one month. If the conditions are met the permit is issued within 60 days. Afterwards the local authority checks your conditions of stay at least once every two years. The "permanent residence permit" document is replaced every ten years by automatic approval.

The permit is refused if the conditions are not met, you fall into an excluded category, criminal proceedings for crimes in Albania are pending against you, or your stay threatens public order or national security. If the refusal is not combined with a removal order, you may request a temporary permit if you still meet its conditions. Long-term resident status is lost if it was obtained with false information, you are expelled, you are a serious risk to public order, you leave Albania for more than 12 consecutive months or your refugee status ends. Falling ill or becoming unable to work after obtaining the permit is not a ground for withdrawal. Appeals follow the administrative route to the superior authority and then the administrative court.