Resources for employers in Albania
Resources for employers in Albania
We use “refugees” as a term encompassing forcibly displaced people with different legal statuses, such as refugees, subsidiary protection holders, temporary protection holders, asylum seekers and other persons in need of international protection.
In cases where differentiating information relating to each status is essential (i.e. regarding the right to work), this is clearly indicated.
In recent years, Albania has demonstrated its commitment to welcoming people forced to flee from diverse backgrounds by enabling their entry and stay in the country. To support the successful integration of forcibly displaced people into Albanian society, it is essential to invest in their inclusion in the labour market as a key pillar.
Given that Albania’s population is expected to decrease due to continuing emigration, an ageing population, and low natality, the country needs to find ways to address the brain drain and the net negative migration flows. Newcomers such as refugees and asylum-seekers can help tackle labour shortages and skills gaps, especially in agriculture, construction and manufacturing sectors. This is why by hiring refugees, Albanian companies contribute to their self-sufficiency and economic empowerment. They stand to gain a lot in enhanced recruitment, improved diversity, a more substantial company brand, and increased productivity.
One company located in Tirana, which produces transport packaging and bags for industrial valuable products, has hired more than 15 refugees during the past 8 years. As of 2024, two refugees are working for the company, one from Palestine and the other from Kosovo. To recruit refugee job seekers, the company has cooperated, since 2016, with the Refugee Migrant Services Albania (RMSA), which is a local implementing partner supported by UNHCR. The company has engaged managers to show increased care for refugees and to advise all local employees to cooperate, as much as possible, with these cases to keep them engaged with the Albanian language and work techniques. The company management has shared that refugees add value to the workforce, bringing a new spirit and new experiences, improving the quality of work and making the organization more diverse.
How many refugees and stateless people are there in Albania?
In 2024, there were 6,597 refugees in Albania. While more than 10,000 refugees from Ukraine entered Albania in 2022, many of them have left the country, and the number of Ukrainian refugees as of mid-2024 was 6,465.
Due to its geographic location in the Western Balkan route, the country has also become a prevalent transit point for mixed movement flows going into the European Union, either towards Italy by sea or towards Western Europe through Montenegro, with 2,158 arrivals registered in Albania in 2024 and 2025.
The percentages of those travelling in mixed movements to the borders of Albania are referred to the asylum procedure (see factsheet) 6.3 % in 2024 and 13% in 2025.
Visit the Refugee Data Finder to learn more
How many of them are working?
UNHCR places the empowerment of refugees and asylum-seekers at the center of its work in Albania, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity and independence while strengthening their ability to contribute meaningfully to host communities. Through close collaboration with public institutions, NGOs, and the private sector, UNHCR equips individuals with the tools they need to thrive—providing information sessions that support informed local integration, offering language classes that build communication confidence, delivering coaching on employment pathways, facilitating access to local job‑placement services, and creating opportunities for skills development that foster long‑term self‑reliance.
Empowering Refugee Livelihoods in Albania | United Nations in Albania
What are the main challenges?
Refugees and asylum‑seekers face a wide range of challenges when navigating the job market. These include learning the language, searching for jobs, preparing for interviews, developing skills, networking, and understanding financial matters. They also consistently express the need for language courses, as well as assistance with documentation and legal consular services.
Moreover, refugees and individuals with subsidiary protection encounter administrative hurdles such as delays in obtaining residence permits and other required documentation, which restrict their access to employment and essential services, including healthcare. Although asylum‑seekers have the right to work no later than nine months after submitting their application, administrative delays and bureaucratic barriers often hinder their ability to enter the labor market.
Additionally, refugees and subsidiary protection holders face difficulties in accessing housing and social assistance. These challenges are further aggravated by language barriers, limited resources, and insufficient institutional coordination.
| Status | Who it applies to | Right to work? |
| Asylum-seekers | Individuals who have applied for asylum in Albania and are yet to receive a decision on their application. | Asylum seekers have the right to work in Albania no later than nine months after submitting their asylum applications. |
| Refugee | Individuals with a well-founded fear of being persecuted for race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. | Refugees have the right of employment in Albania. The authority in charge of work relations takes the necessary measures to facilitate full access of refugees in the labour market. |
| Subsidiary protection | Individuals who do not qualify for refugee status but who are unable to return to their home country because it would mean they face capital punishment, torture or inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment. | Holders of subsidiary protection have the right of employment in Albania. The authority in charge of work relations takes the necessary measures to facilitate full access of holders of subsidiary protection in the labour market. |
| Temporary protection | Temporary protection is granted to foreign nationals or stateless persons who enter the territory of Albania in large numbers from countries where their fundamental human rights were violated due to war or similar situation, general violence, or internal conflict and their country of origin cannot guarantee their protection | Individuals with temporary protection have the right to employment and professional/vocational training in Albania. |
Bear in mind:
The Albanian government made two key decisions in March 2022. First, it granted refugees from Ukraine the right to enter and stay in Albania for up to one year without a residence permit or protection under the temporary protection scheme for those requesting it. Most refugees from Ukraine who have arrived in Albania have so far opted to benefit from the right to enter and stay and have not asked for temporary protection.
What can I do to support refugee employees?
Employers interested in recruiting refugees can contact several organizations that work with forcibly displaced people and can make referrals to suitable candidates. In addition to Refugee and Migrant Services in Albania (RMSA), other organizations in Albania working on the socioeconomic inclusion of refugees include IOM Albania, the Albanian Red Cross, particularly in the regions of Korça and Gjirokastra.
An inclusive recruitment process can be achieved by publishing vacancies in different languages (including English, Arabic, Farsi, Ukrainian, or Russian) and lowering requirements for Albanian language proficiency wherever possible.
Useful resources
Subsidies
Employers should be registered in the National Employment and Skills platform and apply to be able to use available subsidies, such as 1) 1-year employment program with 4 months of wage funding, 2) an internship program with 6 months of funding, 3) a work-based training program with 4 months of funding, and others.
NGO support
The Refugee and Migrant Services in Albania (RMSA) is a local NGO that runs a job coaching program to empower refugees in their job search through coaching and guidance. RMSA connects refugees with possible employers for full-time positions and internships, many of which result in long-term employment.
“Skills for Employment” toolkit prepared by IKEA with best practices on how employers can open employment pathways for refugees
A report by the TENT partnership for refugees on "How Hiring Refugees Helps Brands: Europe (2023)".