Working in Albania
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Average Salary
In Albania, the average monthly salary is modest for local employees, but expats working in specialist and technical roles can expect to earn far more than the local national average – usually between 250,000 – 500,000 ALL (€2,300 - €4,700) per month, particularly in sectors such as IT, finance, engineering, or at international organisations.
General information
Currency
Albanian Lek (ALL)
Official language
Albanian
Conversational languages
English Italian Greek
Time zone
Winter period: Central European Time (UTC+01:00) Summer period: Central European Summer Time (UTC+02:00)
Common types of Employment or Contracting
In Albania, workers can engage in a variety of employment and contracting arrangements, each offering different rights, benefits, and obligations depending on the nature of the work and the contract.
Common types of employment
Common types of contracting
Already secured a job overseas?
If you have secured an assignment but are unsure of where to start with setting up as a Freelancer or B2B contractor, please feel free to reach out to our International team for assistance.
Living in Albania
Living in Albania offers an affordable Balkan lifestyle, with a rich local culture and friendly communities. While the country is ethnically fairly homogeneous, it has a growing expat community, especially in larger cities and coastal towns. Daily life is relatively inexpensive compared with Western countries, although costs are higher in Tirana, Durrës and coastal tourist hotspots.
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The average cost of a weekly grocery shop for a small family is 3,300 – 5,500 ALL (€30 - €50)
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Monthly rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Tirana is around 60,500 – 82,500 ALL (€550 – €750); this is cheaper in smaller cities and towns
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The average monthly cost for a private preschool is 13,200 – 17,600 ALL (€120 - €160)
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Petrol costs around 173 – 179 ALL per litre (€1.70 - €1.86), while diesel costs 173 – 175 ALL per litre (€1.76 - €1.80)
Vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road. Expats can use a valid foreign licence for up to 12 months, ideally with an International Driving Permit. Long-term residents must convert their licence at the local transport office – EU licences often exchange directly, while non-EU licences may require a medical certificate, translation, and sometimes a driving test.
Weather in Albania
Albania has a Mediterranean climate along the coast and a continental climate inland, with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. In the summer, coastal temperatures typically reach 28 – 34°C, while inland areas can be slightly hotter. Winters are mild on the coast, averaging 7 - 12°C, but inland and mountainous regions can drop to 0 - 5°C, with occasional snow. Rainfall is highest in the autumn and winter months, while summers are mostly dry and sunny.
Language and integration support
Language and integration support for expats mainly comes from private Albanian courses, community meet-ups, and NGOs. Private schools in cities like Tirana offer beginner-to-advanced Albanian classes, often combined with cultural lessons, while informal language exchanges help practice. NGOs such as UNHCR provide Albanian lessons, legal guidance, and basic integration support for refugees, but there is no large government programme for all expats, so most integration relies on local networks, expat communities, and personal initiative.
For any translation needs - especially those required for work permit or visa applications - our dedicated Languages team is ready to support you. They provide accurate, timely translations and can guide you through the process to ensure all necessary documents meet the required standards.
Our services in Albania
Across the globe, we support energy and engineering companies with the international recruitment and global mobilisation solutions they need to extend their capability and grow their businesses.
Find out about our international services
Global mobility
NRL Recruitment simplifies international employee relocation with seamless global mobility services. From visa assistance to cultural onboarding, we ensure your staff transitions smoothly across borders, minimising disruption and maximising productivity.
Payroll solutions
Managing payroll across multiple countries can be complex, but our payroll solutions make it simple. We handle accurate, compliant compensation for your global workforce, ensuring employees are paid correctly and on time, every time.
Global employer of record
With our global employer of record services, you can legally employ staff overseas without establishing local entities. We manage compliance, contracts, and HR administration, giving you the freedom to expand globally with confidence and ease.
International recruitment
Finding the right talent worldwide is effortless with our international recruitment solutions. We connect your business with top-tier professionals, managing the end-to-end hiring process so you can focus on growth and strategic priorities.
