Success tips when doing business in Albania in 2024

1. Albanian greetings during first meetings tend to be conservative and reserved. A handshake and direct eye contact are expected. In general, refer to business persons by their surname unless invited to call them by their first name;
2. Business meetings frequently occur in unconventional locations, with cafes, home residences and taxi rides often being used;
3. Meeting schedules are generally followed loosely Albania. Time is often not a factor during meetings, so lengthy meetings can be expected;
4. Gift giving is a large part of Albanian business culture. When given a gift, it is expected for you to give a gift in return. Money is frowned upon as a gift; instead, some small memorabilia of your home country is often a good choice. If your potential business partner has children, bringing a small gift for them is a good idea;
5. When you are starting a new business, it is important to find out what Albanian registrations and licenses apply to your firm. This can be a complex area, as local, state, territory and federal governments handle registration and licensing for various aspects of your business.

Interesting facts about Albania

1. The national airport of Albania was named in honor of Mother Teresa, with its full name being the Tirana International Nene Tereza;
2. The Albanians refer to their country as Shquiperia or Republika e Shqiperise;
3. In Albania, a nod of the head means ‘no’, while shaking the head side to side means yes;
4. Zog, the king of Albania in the 1930s, is noted as the only national leader in modern times to return fire during an attempted assassination;
5. Albania is one of just 3 countries in Europe without a McDonalds branch.