History

History

The National Business Center (NBC) is an institution established in 2015, based on Law No. 131/2015 “On the National Business Center”. Its creation was achieved through the merger of two existing institutions: the National Licensing Center and the National Registration Center. The NBC is an institution under the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation.

The main function of the National Business Center is to provide services for the registration, licensing of businesses, as well as the registration of beneficial owners. The creation of the NBC has had a positive impact on entities operating in the domestic market, as well as on foreign investors interested in investing in Albania. All services are provided through the government portal e-Albania, enabling fast and simple procedures, available within short deadlines, and at no cost to businesses.

In 2020, in the context of strengthening transparency and the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, Albania adopted legal amendments that added new functions to the National Business Center. These amendments aimed at identifying and registering the beneficial owners of any legal entity operating in Albania. This was the implementation of a European Union request to increase the transparency of ownership and prevent illegal activities related to money laundering.

Mission

The mission of the National Business Center (NBC) is to provide fast, simple and efficient services for the registration and licensing of businesses, as well as the registration of beneficial owners, through the government portal e-Albania. These services are free of charge for businesses and enable the completion of procedures in short terms and with a simplified process.

The NBC was created to support the development and regulation of the business environment in Albania. Its main focus is to provide services that improve the efficiency and transparency of public administration, by providing a secure and reliable platform for business registration and the provision of services to any individual or company that wants to engage in the country’s economic activities.

The NBC makes business registration possible in a faster and more accessible way for any person or entity that wants to start an economic activity in Albania. The center also aims to facilitate and improve administrative services for citizens and businesses, by implementing electronic systems and digitizing administrative processes, such as business registration, obtaining licenses and registering beneficial owners.

Through the digitization of services, the NBC aims to provide a faster and more accessible approach, guaranteeing quality, efficiency and transparency. The procedures are simple and can be completed online through various forms of applications and complaints, which are available on the official NBC website.

Services and Functions

The NBC offers a wide range of services to businesses and individuals, including:

Business Registration – The NBC maintains and administers the commercial register, facilitating business registration processes and providing open and accessible information to the public.
Permits, Licenses and Authorizations – Handles the procedures for issuing and amending licenses, authorizations and permits for businesses, maintaining a national register of these documents.
Beneficial Owner Registration – The NBC carries out the registration of beneficial owners of businesses, ensuring transparency and opportunities for further investigations.
Information and Consultancy – Provides information and advice on all business registration and licensing procedures, as well as the registration of beneficial owners.
Improving Business Services – The NBC supports businesses through the digitalization of services and the reduction of administrative barriers.

The NBC is committed to ensuring that all services are simple, fast and free of charge for users, making the process of registration, licensing and declaration of beneficial ownership easier and more efficient for everyone.