Albania has reached a record number of foreign workers, with 22,693 foreign nationals holding work permits as of June 30, 2026, up from around 18,000 at the end of 2025, according to data from the State Police's Electronic Register for Foreigners (FER).

Of the total, 20,332 are employed under unified work permits, while 2,361 are registered as self-employed.

Workers from the Philippines, India and Egypt make up nearly half of all foreign employees in Albania. Filipinos account for 3,552 work permits, followed by Indians with 3,423 and Egyptians with 3,283. Turkey and Italy round out the top five countries of origin.

Foreign workers are increasingly employed in hospitality, manufacturing, transport, agriculture and domestic care. Employers have reported growing demand for workers from the Philippines and India, particularly in restaurants, hotels and factories, while Egyptian nationals are mainly employed in transport, livestock and agritourism.

Among the self-employed, Italian citizens remain the largest group, holding 868 permits, followed by nationals from Kosovo, Turkey and the United States, according to data cited by Monitor.