Living in Albania while working in Russia

Can I live in Albania and work remotely for a company in Russia?

Yes, it is possible, however we usually recommend double-checking the following points:

  1. If you are the sole person working for the company, you may be able to work remotely.
  2. You may not be able to work remotely if the company is registered in another country.
  3. You may not be able to work remotely if the company is registered in a country where the income tax rate is more than 25% (or the same as the highest income tax rate in your country).

How to find remote work in Russia while living in Albania?

Usually, it is feasible to get remote jobs in Russia even though you are located in Albania. For that we need to have a Russian visa. You can get a visa on arrival or you can apply for a visa before you travel.

If you are a citizen of Albania, you can apply for a visa online at the website of the Russian embassy in Tirana. You can apply for a visa in a few days and it is free of charge.
If you are a citizen of another country, you can apply for a visa at the Russian embassy in Tirana.

How to get paid in Albania when working remotely for a corporation in Russia?

You can get paid in Albania even if you are working for a company in Russia, however , you have to do some extra work.

If you are a remote worker from Russia and you want to get paid in Albania, you will have to get a work permit. You can get a work permit in Albania if you are a freelancer, but you need to be registered in Albania.
You can get paid in Albania even if you are working for a company in Russia, however, you have to do some extra work.

How do taxes work in Albania if I’m working remotely for a company Albania?

When working remotely in Albania for a firm based in Russia, taxes might be tricky, therefore it is very important to know the rules of the game.

Are taxes the same as for a local company?
In most cases, yes. The main difference is that you don’t pay taxes to your home country, but to your firm’s country of residence.

What about the tax on my salary?
If you’re working for a company based in Albania, you don’t have to pay tax on your salary. However, if you’re working for a firm based in Russia, you’ll have to pay tax on your salary.

What about social security?
Social security is not a tax. Social security is a mandatory insurance that is paid for by the employer.

How do I get paid in Albania?
You can get paid in the following ways:
in cash
in bank transfer
in cash and bank transfer
in cash and bank transfer in Albania
In most cases, you can get paid in cash or bank transfer.