Nationality of Albania: all obtaining pathways
Albania requires five years of legal residence for ordinary naturalization; marriage to an Albanian citizen opens the pathway at three years. Birth citizenship combines ius sanguinis with a limited ius soli, and descent is transmitted by filiation with no additional requirements.
1Naturalization by residence (art. 8.1 of Law 113/2020 Për shtetësinë)
Naturalization by residence (art. 8.1 of Law 113/2020 Për shtetësinë)
Requirements
- Being at least 18 years of age (art. 8.1.a)
- Lawful and continuous residence in Albania for at least 7 years with a valid permanent residence permit when applying (art. 8.1.c)
- Housing meeting the approved standards in Albania (art. 8.1.ç)
- Lawful income and financial resources meeting the annually indexed minimum living standard (art. 8.1.d)
- No final convictions (in Albania, home country or third states) for offences carrying ≥3 years, unless politically motivated (art. 8.1.dh)
- Oral and written Albanian certified by an educational institution + basic knowledge of Albanian history (art. 8.1.e)
- Not posing a threat to public order and national security (art. 8.1.ë)
Documentation
- Formal application to the Ministry of the Interior
- 5-year legal residence certificate
- Criminal record certificates from the country of origin and Albania
- Proof of means of subsistence
- Albanian language proficiency certificate
- Valid passport
- Birth certificate
2Naturalization by marriage (art. 8.3 of Law 113/2020)
Naturalization by marriage (art. 8.3 of Law 113/2020)
Requirements
- Being married to an Albanian citizen for at least 3 years (art. 8.3)
- Lawful and continuous residence in Albania for at least 1 year (art. 8.3)
- Exempt from the 7-year residence and housing requirements (art. 8.1.c and ç)
- The remaining general requirements apply: income, criminal record, language and history
Documentation
- Marriage certificate
- Passport of the Albanian spouse
- 3-year legal residence certificate
- Criminal record certificate
- Albanian language proficiency proof
3Citizenship by birth (ius sanguinis and limited ius soli)
Citizenship by birth (ius sanguinis and limited ius soli)
Requirements
- At least one parent is an Albanian citizen (ius sanguinis)
- Born in Albania to stateless parents or of unknown nationality (limited ius soli)
- Born in Albania without acquiring another citizenship at birth
Documentation
- Birth certificate
- Parents' passport or identity document
- Proof of the parents' Albanian citizenship
4Citizenship by descent (ius sanguinis)
Citizenship by descent (ius sanguinis)
Requirements
- At least one parent is an Albanian citizen
- Citizenship is transmitted with no generational limit
- Children of Albanian citizens born abroad acquire the citizenship at birth
Documentation
- Birth certificate of the applicant
- Proof of the parent's Albanian citizenship
- Albanian passport of the father/mother
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Albania
How many years of residence does Albania require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Albania (Naturalization by residence (art. 8.1 of Law 113/2020 Për shtetësinë)), the term is 7 years of lawful continuous residence with permanent permit. The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Can the nationality of Albania be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Naturalization by marriage pathway (3 years of marriage + 1 year of lawful residence). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Albania require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Formal application to the Ministry of the Interior; 5-year legal residence certificate; Criminal record certificates from the country of origin and Albania; Proof of means of subsistence; Albanian language proficiency certificate; among 2 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Albania?
Albania provides 4 pathways: Naturalization by residence, Naturalization by marriage, Citizenship by birth, Citizenship by descent.
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