Albania Company Search Guide 2026: How to Verify an Albanian Business

TL;DR. Albania’s official business registry is the National Business Center (QKB, Qendra Kombëtare e Biznesit), accessible at qkb.gov.al. Basic company search is free, requires no account, and the portal offers an English interface. Search by company name or NIPT (tax ID). A new beneficial ownership registry entered into force on May 15, 2025, making UBO data publicly available for the first time. Albania is an EU candidate country and is not on the FATF grey list.

What is the official Albania business registry?

The National Business Center (QKB) is Albania’s single-window registration authority for business entities. Established under Law No. 131/2015 “On the National Business Center” and subsequently expanded by Law No. 9723/2007 on Registration of Business Organizations and Other Organizations (as amended), QKB operates as an institution under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance and Economy.

QKB replaced the previous court-based company registration system in Albania and introduced a one-stop-shop model where registration, licensing, and tax enrollment can be completed in a single administrative procedure. The registry covers limited liability companies (sh.p.k.), joint-stock companies (sh.a.), sole traders, branches and representative offices of foreign companies, foundations, associations, and other legal entities.

QKB’s main public portal is at qkb.gov.al, with a dedicated trade register search at qkb.gov.al/search/search-in-trade-register/search-for-subject/. An independent open-data portal opencorporates.al also indexes QKB data.

Albania began EU accession negotiations in 2022. Regulatory alignment with EU company law, beneficial ownership standards, and AML/CFT frameworks is actively progressing as part of the accession process.

What can you search?

QKB’s public trade register search supports lookup by:

• NIPT (Numri i Identifikimit për Personin e Tatueshëm), also referred to as NUIS: Albania’s business tax identification number, the primary company identifier
• Company name (full or partial)
• Trade name
• Registered address
• Shareholder name

Data returned per entity profile includes: registered name, trade name, NIPT/NUIS, legal form, registered address, date of registration, current status (active, in dissolution, suspended), primary business activity (NACE code), authorized capital, directors and their identification, and shareholders with ownership percentages.

Since May 15, 2025, QKB also hosts the Beneficial Ownership Registry, which records the ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs) of all registered legal entities and branches of foreign companies in Albania. UBO data is publicly searchable through the QKB portal.

Data freshness follows a filing-event model: changes registered through QKB’s e-services platform are reflected in the public portal on the same business day or within 1-2 business days.

How much does it cost?

Public search through the QKB portal is free for all users. Certified extracts with an official stamp may require a fee through QKB’s administrative service channels; the specific fee schedule for certified documents is published at qkb.gov.al. Exchange rate reference: ALL/USD approximately 95:1 (May 2026, approximate; verify at the Bank of Albania before any transaction).

Do you need a local account or ID?

No. The QKB public search is open to any internet user without registration. No Albanian identity document, no Albanian bank account, and no local entity account is required for basic company lookups. Accessing QKB’s online filing services (for registration or changes, not search) requires an Albanian eAlbania account linked to an electronic identity, but that is not relevant for compliance buyers conducting lookups.

Is the website in English?

Yes. QKB’s portal at qkb.gov.al includes an English interface. Navigation, service descriptions, and the trade register search page are available in English. Company names in the database are in Albanian; structured data fields (NIPT, legal form, status, activity code) are translated or self-evident. Director and shareholder names appear as registered, which may include names from any language background given Albania’s demographic profile.

What’s the turnaround time?

Free public searches return results instantly. Company profiles are available on-demand from the QKB portal with no queue or waiting period. Certified extracts via QKB’s service desk (physical or postal) typically take 1-3 business days. QKB has progressively digitized more services as part of the eAlbania platform; some document types are available for electronic download through that platform.

Is there an API?

No formal public API for QKB data is documented for external developer use as of May 2026. The opencorporates.al portal indexes QKB data and may offer programmatic access to Albanian company data as part of its own service. For compliance platforms requiring systematic Albanian entity lookups, engaging a local data partner or using QKB’s electronic services portal are the available options.

What you legally cannot do

Albania’s data protection framework is governed by Law No. 9887/2008 on Protection of Personal Data (as amended, and progressively aligned with GDPR as part of EU accession). The QKB Terms of Use and Albanian law prohibit:

• Automated bulk scraping of the QKB portal for commercial redistribution without an authorized data access arrangement
• Using personal data from the registry (director names, addresses, shareholder details) for unsolicited marketing or profiling
• Misrepresenting uncertified online extracts as certified official documents for legal or regulatory submissions

For compliance and KYC due-diligence purposes, individual company lookups are within permitted use. Albania’s Information and Data Protection Commissioner (Komisioneri për Mbrojtjen e të Dhënave Personale) oversees enforcement; see idp.al for current guidance. The global framework for lawful company data use is covered in our Global Business Due Diligence Guide.

Practical tips for foreign compliance buyers

• NIPT is the anchor identifier. The NIPT (also written as NUIS) follows the format: one letter prefix + 8 digits + one letter suffix (example: L12345678D). It is stable across name changes and the most reliable search key. Collect the NIPT from any Albanian counterparty before onboarding.
• UBO registry is new (May 2025). Albania’s beneficial ownership framework entered into force on May 15, 2025, under Law No. 112/2020. All legal entities were required to register their UBOs from that date. As of May 2026, the registry is in its first year of operation; compliance buyers should expect some gaps in coverage for entities that have not yet updated filings. Where UBO data is absent, request direct disclosure from the counterparty.
• EU accession alignment. Albania opened EU accession negotiations in 2022 and has been aligning its corporate law, AML/CFT framework, and UBO disclosure requirements with EU standards. The direction of regulatory change is toward greater transparency and tighter compliance. Expect continued improvement in data quality and public disclosure depth.
• sh.p.k. vs. sh.a. Albania’s two primary company types are the sh.p.k. (shoqëri me përgjegjësi të kufizuar), equivalent to a private limited company, and the sh.a. (shoqëri anonime), equivalent to a joint-stock/public company. Sole traders operate as person fizike (PF). Branches of foreign companies (degë) are also registered with QKB and searchable.
• Status fields in Albanian. “Aktive” means active. “Në likuidim” means in liquidation. “Pezulluar” means suspended. Always check the entity status before relying on any other data point.
• Capacity-building trajectory. Albania is engaged with UNODC and EU-funded programs (2024-2026) to strengthen AML/CFT investigation and prosecution capabilities. While not on the FATF grey list, Albania’s AML effectiveness ratings have historically noted gaps in investigation and prosecution rates. Apply standard enhanced due diligence for counterparties in higher-risk sectors (construction, real estate, cash-intensive businesses).

Alternatives if you cannot access QKB directly

• Aggregator search (free, indicative only): opencorporates.al indexes QKB trade register data with a search interface. OpenCorporates global also has Albanian entity coverage. Both lag official data and are useful only for indicative name checks, not compliance-grade verification.
• eAlbania platform (e-albania.al): Albania’s government digital services platform, which integrates QKB services. Some document types are available via eAlbania with an account.

Local data suppliers

• Creditreform Albania (creditreform.al). Member of the Creditreform international network. Provides commercial credit reports and risk ratings for Albanian companies drawing on QKB and trade payment data. Primary audience: European creditors and suppliers assessing Albanian counterparty risk.

Use QKB for the authoritative legal and corporate record. Use Creditreform or a local attorney when you need a risk score, certified extract, or consolidated due-diligence package for a material Albanian counterparty.

FAQ

Can a foreign company access the Albania QKB registry directly?

Yes. The QKB public search is fully accessible to international users without registration or a local account. The English interface makes it directly usable for foreign compliance buyers. Certified extracts may require additional steps; a local agent or attorney in Tirana can handle these requests efficiently.

What is the NIPT number in Albania?

The NIPT (Numri i Identifikimit për Personin e Tatueshëm), also written as NUIS, is Albania’s primary business identifier: one letter prefix (indicating entity type and registration era) + 8 digits + one letter suffix. It is assigned at registration with QKB and used across the tax administration, customs, banking, and government procurement systems. It is the most reliable anchor identifier for any Albanian entity lookup.

What entity types are registered with QKB?

QKB registers: limited liability companies (sh.p.k.), joint-stock companies (sh.a.), sole traders (person fizike), general and limited partnerships, cooperatives, foundations, associations, and branches and representative offices of foreign companies. Public sector entities and state-owned enterprises have separate registration procedures but are included in the trade register.

Does Albania have a beneficial ownership (UBO) registry?

Yes. Albania’s Beneficial Ownership Registry entered into force on May 15, 2025, under Law No. 112/2020 “On the Register of Beneficial Owners.” All legal entities, as well as branches and representative offices of foreign companies, are required to disclose their UBOs to QKB. The registry is publicly searchable through the QKB portal. As the registry is in its first year of operation (as of May 2026), coverage completeness for all registered entities is still building. Non-compliance carries financial sanctions.

How current is the data in QKB?

Under normal conditions, changes filed through QKB’s e-services platform are reflected in the public portal within 1-2 business days. QKB’s digital-first approach, driven by the eAlbania platform, means most filings are processed electronically without the delays typical of paper-based systems. Financial statement availability may vary; Albania’s statutory filing deadlines and the availability of accounts via QKB should be verified at the point of inquiry.

Is Albania on the FATF grey list?

No. Albania is not on the FATF grey list and has not been subject to FATF increased monitoring. Albania’s 2018 FATF Mutual Evaluation rated it compliant or largely compliant for most technical compliance indicators. The 2023 follow-up report showed further improvement. As of May 2026, Albania is in regular MONEYVAL follow-up, with ongoing EU and UNODC-supported capacity-building for AML/CFT investigation and prosecution effectiveness. See fatf-gafi.org for current status.

What’s the difference between QKB and Albania’s tax administration?

QKB handles legal existence: incorporation, registration of changes, beneficial ownership, and the trade register. Albania’s General Directorate of Taxes (Drejtoria e Përgjithshme e Tatimeve, DPT) manages NIPT assignment, VAT registration, tax compliance, and arrears. A full counterparty check typically requires: QKB (legal standing, UBO) and cross-referencing with DPT’s public taxpayer data (tax-good-standing confirmation). For credit risk, a commercial credit bureau report supplements registry data.

Last verified: May 2026. Sources: National Business Center Albania (qkb.gov.al); FATF Albania country page (fatf-gafi.org/en/countries/detail/Albania.html); QKB Beneficial Owners Registry announcement (May 2025); UNODC capacity-building workshop Albania (March 2026). For the full global due diligence framework, see our Global Business Due Diligence Guide.