What you need to know for employing in Albania

Employee contributions include Social Security and Health Insurance.

The maximum working hours in Albania are 40 hours per week and 8 hours per day. Overtime is capped and compensated.

In Albania, the employer pays 80% of the employee's salary for 14 days. Thereafter, the employee benefits from a social insurance scheme.

Maternity leave: Female employees are entitled to 98 - 390 days of maternity leave depending on how many children they have. Payment of maternity leave is between 50% - 80% of an employee's salary depending on whether the leave is before or after the birth.

Paternity leave: Male employees are entitled to 3 days' paid paternity leave.

Parental leave: Parents are entitled to minimum 7 days' unpaid leave up to maximum 4 months until child is 6 years old.

The minimum paid annual leave in Albania is 4 weeks (20 working days). Unpaid leave is discretionary.

Severance pay is not applicable to fair and lawful terminations. Unlawful terminations may trigger severance liability which is based on a variety of factors, including length of service. 

There are a range of legal reasons that an employer can use to terminate an employment relationship in Albania. These depend on the specific circumstances and can be very complex. Termination in Albania also needs to follow strict processes.