More than half of the foreign workers who came to Albania in 2024 to work were employed in the tourism sector. According to official Tax Administration data, during the period June-September 2024, a total of 6,906 foreign citizens were employed in seasonal tourism throughout the 4 months of the tourist season.

The number of foreigners employed in this sector for the period June 2024-September 2024 is: June- 1.607 foreign employees; July- 1.862 foreign employees; August- 1.866 foreign employees; September- 1.571 foreign employees

The number of seasonal foreigners employed in tourism accounts for about 55% of total foreign employment in the country for 2024.

For 2024, according to data from the National Employment and Skills Agency (AKPA), 12,654 requests from foreign citizens to be provided with a Single Permit that includes an employment permit + visa + residence permit were approved online. Compared to the previous year, their number increased by about 29%. While compared to 2018, their number has tripled.

According to business representatives, foreigners are mainly engaged in sectors such as hotel service, kitchen with chef or assistant/chef positions, maintenance, service in waiter, assistant waiter, counter clerk, cleaning, etc., meeting the needs for labor in areas with a high influx of tourists, especially in Durrës, Vlorë, Saranda and Shëngjin.

But despite the increasing trend of approval of work permit applications from foreign citizens, especially from the service sector in bars-restaurants and accommodation, according to data analysis, the structure of the labor market still remains dominated by local workers, while the participation of foreigners in the Albanian labor market still remains low in relation to the total number of employees.

For 2024, foreign employees accounted for 2,2% of the total number of employees in the country.

While employment experts have claimed that their low share in the total number of employees indicates that the direct impact of foreign labor is not yet significant in macroeconomic terms in the country.

Also, the scheme for hiring foreign workers by businesses and associations continues to carry a number of challenges. The main problem remains their departure to European Union countries, but also the lack of qualifications, different from what is presented in their CVs.