Albania Investment Tax: The Reporting Obligations Most Retail Investors Ignore

Albania has a domestic capital market centred on the Albanian Stock Exchange (ALSE -- Bursa Shqiptare e Titujve), Albania's first private exchange, licensed by the AMF in 2017 and trading since February 2018, regulated under Law No. 62/2020 on Capital Markets by the Financial Supervisory Authority (AMF -- Autoriteti i Mbikëqyrjes Financiare). ALSE is a relatively small market by European standards, with primary activity in:

• Albanian Government Treasury Bonds (Obligacione Qeveritare): The most liquid and actively traded securities on ALSE. The Albanian government issues T-bills (91-day, 182-day, 364-day) and medium-term bonds (2-year, 3-year, 5-year, 7-year, 10-year). These are the dominant fixed-income instrument in Albania.
• Corporate bonds: A small but growing segment; Albanian banks (Raiffeisen, BKT, Credins) and some major corporates have issued bonds on ALSE.
• Listed equities: ALSE has a very limited equity listing; most Albanian companies remain privately held. The equity market is nascent.

For most foreign investors and expats, the more relevant capital market exposure is through foreign securities (shares, ETFs, bonds traded on EU exchanges) accessed through international brokers. Albanian residents who hold foreign securities are subject to Albanian capital gains and dividend tax on their foreign investment income — a fact many expats overlook when planning their tax position.

Under Law No. 29/2023, Articles on Capital Gains, Albania taxes capital gains on securities at a flat rate of 15%, without distinction between short-term and long-term gains. This rate applies to:

• Gains from selling shares in Albanian companies (Sh.p.k., Person Fizik activities, or ALSE-listed equities)
• Gains from selling foreign shares, ETFs, or other securities held by Albanian tax residents
• Gains from selling Albanian government or corporate bonds at a price above the purchase price

The taxable gain is calculated as: Sale proceeds minus acquisition cost minus allowable transaction costs (brokerage commissions, transfer taxes). Currency gains are included if the investment was denominated in a foreign currency and the Albanian Lek value of the proceeds exceeds the Albanian Lek value at acquisition.

Capital losses can be offset against capital gains within the same tax year but cannot be carried forward to future years under current Albanian tax law. This means timing of disposals within a single calendar year matters for tax efficiency.

Capital gains are declared in the annual DIVA (Individual Annual Income Declaration), filed by 31 March of the following year. Foreign-source capital gains must also be declared, with a credit for any foreign withholding tax paid (subject to treaty limits).

Dividends received by Albanian residents are subject to:

• Albanian-source dividends (from Albanian Sh.p.k. or companies): 8% dividend withholding tax, withheld by the paying company. The 8% is a final tax — you do not need to include this dividend income in your personal income tax return for additional tax.
• Foreign-source dividends (from foreign-listed shares, ETFs, foreign companies): Also subject to the same 8% final dividend tax. Albania taxes resident dividend income on a worldwide basis, with no distinction between domestic and foreign source, and gives you a credit for any foreign withholding tax already paid at source. Foreign dividend income must be declared in the DIVA. Note that many countries withhold 15–30% on dividends paid to Albanian residents — this foreign tax is creditable against your Albanian liability but must be documented (foreign tax certificates).

Interest income from Albanian bank deposits and government bonds is taxed at a separate withholding rate. As of 2026, interest on Albanian bank deposits is subject to a 15% withholding tax deducted by the bank. Interest on Albanian government bonds held by individuals is currently taxed at 15% withheld at source. Interest is declared in the DIVA if the total annual investment income (dividends plus interest plus capital gains) exceeds the reporting threshold.

Albanian government Treasury Bills (Bono Thesari) and Treasury Bonds (Obligacione Thesari) are among the most popular savings instruments for Albanian residents and are also accessible to foreign investors through Albanian brokers. Tax treatment:

• Interest income: Subject to 15% withholding tax deducted by the Albanian government at source when coupon payments are made.
• Capital gains on bond sale before maturity: If you sell a bond at a price above its acquisition cost (e.g., in a rising bond price environment), the gain is subject to 15% capital gains tax. In a declining rate environment where bonds appreciate, this tax is relevant.
• Zero-coupon bond discount: For T-bills issued at a discount and redeemed at face value, the difference (discount) is treated as interest and subject to 15% withholding.

Albanian government bonds currently offer yields of approximately 4–7% per annum depending on maturity (as of early 2026). After 15% withholding tax, the net yield is approximately 3.4–6% — competitive with EU sovereign bonds for equivalent risk, and notably better than most EU government bonds on a net-of-tax basis given Albania's higher nominal yields.

Foreign investors in Albanian government bonds are subject to Albanian withholding tax at 15% (non-resident withholding rate) unless a double tax treaty provides a lower rate. Foreign institutional investors (banks, funds) often hold Albanian T-bills through the Bank of Albania's securities settlement system.

Foreign nationals who are not Albanian tax residents but invest in Albanian securities are subject to Albanian non-resident withholding tax on Albanian-source income. The rates for 2026:

• Dividends from Albanian companies: 8% withholding (same rate as for residents)
• Interest from Albanian banks and bonds: 15% withholding
• Capital gains on Albanian share sales: 15% — technically the Albanian company whose shares are sold must withhold tax at source when purchasing its own shares; for market transactions, the broker or notary is responsible for withholding
• Royalties from Albanian sources: 15% withholding

Double tax treaties between Albania and the investor's country of residence may reduce these rates. Because the Albanian domestic rate is already 8%, a treaty only helps where its rate is below 8%. The Albania-Germany treaty can reduce the rate to as low as 5% for qualifying shareholdings; otherwise the 8% domestic rate applies, and a treaty rate above 8% gives no reduction. See our Albanian withholding tax guide for the full treaty rate table.

For non-residents, the withholding tax is generally a final tax — there is no obligation to file an Albanian tax return merely because you received Albanian-source passive income subject to withholding, unless you have Albanian-source business income or other non-withheld income.

If you are an expat resident in Albania who wants to invest in Albanian capital markets, here is the practical process:

Step 1: Open a securities account: You need an account with a licensed Albanian broker or investment firm. Licensed firms include Raiffeisen Invest Albania, First Financial Albania (FFA), and several smaller brokers registered with AMF. Account opening requires your residence permit, passport, and Albanian bank account.

Step 2: Open an Albanian bank account: Your securities account must be linked to an Albanian bank account (ALL and/or EUR). See our guide to opening a bank account in Albania as a foreigner.

Step 3: Purchase government bonds: Albanian T-bills and bonds are auctioned through the Bank of Albania. Retail investors typically access them through their bank or broker during primary auctions or on the secondary ALSE market.

Step 4: Tax compliance: Your Albanian broker should provide annual statements of income and withholding tax deducted. Include all investment income, net of Albanian withholding, in your DIVA declaration by 31 March of the following year. Foreign investment income (from international brokers) must also be declared, with credits for foreign taxes paid.

For a comprehensive view of Albanian investment income taxation, see our Albanian investment income tax guide.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Cross-border tax structuring requires professional analysis of your specific circumstances. We recommend consulting with a qualified tax advisor before making decisions based on this content.