In accordance with the corporate legislation of Albania, a foreign investor can own a business in Albania without any special restrictions and has an opportunity to conduct activity in this country through such legal forms of enterprises as:

Limited Liability Company (Shpk)

Joint Stock Company (Sha)‍

Limited Liability Company (Shpk)

‍A limited liability company (Shpk) is the most common type of closed enterprise in Albania and has the following features:

• a company can be incorporated by one or more shareholders. A share capital can be paid in cash and movable or immovable property. Contributions to the share capital by services or other intangible assets are not allowed;
• a minimum number of directors - 1;
• shareholders have the rights to transfer their shares to other persons with the approval of at least 3/4 of all shareholders, unless the company charter provides a different procedure.

‍Joint Stock Company (Sha)‍

‍A joint stock company (Sha) has the following features:

• a company can be incorporated by one or more shareholders. At least 25% of the capital must be paid upon incorporation. A share capital can be paid in cash and movable or immovable property. Contributions to the share capital by services or other intangible assets are not allowed;
• a company is governed by a board of directors consisting of one or more members appointed by the Supervisory Board which consists of 3 to 21 people. The Supervisory Board performs constant control over activities of the board of directors. One third of the Supervisory Board should consist of permanent employees of the company;
• shareholders of an open joint stock company have rights to freely transfer their shares to other persons;
• shareholders of a closed joint stock company have rights to  transfer their shares to other persons with the approval of at least 3/4 of all shareholders, unless the company charter provides a different procedure.

Every new company is required to register with the tax authorities of Albania within 5 business days from the date of establishment. Albania is not a tax heaven and all businesses operating in Albania are subject to income tax, VAT and certain other national and local taxes. In addition to federal taxes, Albania levies a variety of local duties and taxes, the main ones of which are registration fees at court and tax authorities, taxes on advertising, premises, environment, etc.

Albania is not a tax heaven or offshore jurisdiction, and a concept of Albania tax exempt company (and/or Albania offshore company, International Business Company, trust, foundation etc. registration) does not exist in Albania as such. A company formation in Albania could be arranged with a professional registered agent providing incorporation, virtual office and other corporate services in Albania. To set up a company in Albania is possible by correspondence, but to open a bank account in Albania will, most probably, require a personal visit.

Albanian Double Taxation Agreements

Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Moldavia, Norway, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom.

99 classical offshore, onshore and midshore jurisdictions of Europe, America, Middle East, Asia, Africa and Oceania‍