Albania is a small country located in the Balkans of southeastern Europe. With a population of around 2.9 million people, it is a multi-ethnic nation with Albanians making up the majority of the population. It has a rich cultural heritage and is known for its beautiful coastline and mountains. The capital, Tirana, is the largest city and is home to many historic sites and monuments. Albania is a parliamentary democracy and a member of the United Nations, NATO, and the Council of Europe. The economy is largely service-oriented and heavily depends on remittances from Albanians living abroad. Albania is also a great place to find software developers. But software engineers in Albania are also hard to find and hard to hire. Experienced developers get a lot of messages from recruiters, in some cases five or ten messages per day. To find engineers in Albania you have to search for engineers in different sources, reach out based on their preferred contact details, personalize your outreach and make an attractive offer. In this guide you'll learn more about the tech ecosystem in Albania, which methods to use to find developers and how to hire them.
According to the most recent data from the World Bank, there are approximately 6,100 people employed in the tech sector in Albania, representing about 0.7% of the total workforce. The majority of these tech workers are in the software and IT services industry, accounting for 75% of the total tech sector. Additionally, there are 1,500 people employed in the telecommunications industry and 800 people in the computer hardware and equipment industry.
The tech ecosystem in Albania is still emerging. There is an active startup community in the country, with several incubators and accelerators that provide support to new entrepreneurs. There are also a growing number of venture capital firms, angel investors, and private equity firms that are investing in the Albanian tech ecosystem. Additionally, the government is actively promoting tech development in the country, with initiatives such as the Albanian Innovation Fund. There is also a vibrant tech community in Albania, with events such as the Tirana Tech Summit and regular meetups and hackathons taking place.
1. Tirana Tech Meetup
2. Shkoder Tech Meetup
3. Durres Tech Meetup
4. Elbasan Tech Meetup
5. Vlora Tech Meetup
6. Fier Tech Meetup
7. Berat Tech Meetup
8. Korca Tech Meetup
9. Kukes Tech Meetup
10. Gjirokastra Tech Meetup
1. Use job boards and online recruitment platforms like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, and Monster to post job openings and search for potential software developers.
2. Reach out to universities and technical schools to find alumni who are interested in software development.
3. Network with local software developers and tech companies to find out about potential job openings.
4. Connect with tech-focused meetups, hackathons, and conferences to meet talented software developers.
5. Ask for referrals from existing software developers or from peers in the software development industry.
6. Leverage social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to disseminate job postings and create a talent pipeline.
The best way to find developer talent in Albania is to find them in the places where they have an online profile and are active. Examples of those platforms are GitHub and Stack Overflow. LinkedIn can also be a valuable source.
Talent search engines can help you find developers online through a variety of sources. Most talent search engines also provide verified contact details so you can reach out to the talent you have found. In some cases these engines even automate a big part of the outreach process so you can reach hundreds of candidates per day.
An example of a talent search and engagement engine is HeroHunt.ai which can find 1 billion candidates worldwide and lets you reach out automatically with personalized messages.
An alternative way to attract development talent is to post a job on a (local) job board.
1. LinkedIn
2. AngelList
3. BalkanJobs
4. JobAlbania
5. Albanian Job Portal
6. Albanian Job Finder
7. The Albanian Network
8. IT Job Albania
9. Glassdoor
10. Indeed
If you are sourcing for remote talent then you can utilize remote specific job boards where you can post your remote job.
1. LinkedIn
2. Glassdoor
3. Indeed
4. Freelancer
5. Upwork
6. AngelList
7. Stack Overflow
8. Fiverr
9. PeoplePerHour
10. Guru
When you’re hiring software developers you need to be aware of the local average salaries in order to provide a competitive job offer. Below are the average salaries for software developers per experience level.
The average salary for a junior developer in Albania is about $1,200 per month. This salary range is based on experience and qualifications, but in general, junior developers are typically paid between $800 and $1,500 per month. The salary will also depend on the type of job and the company hiring. In addition to the base salary, some employers offer various benefits such as healthcare, vacation days, and bonuses.
The average salary for a Senior Developer in Albania is around ALL 2,403,000 (US$20,960) per year. Senior Developers in Albania usually earn more than entry-level Developers, with salaries typically ranging between ALL 2,180,000 (US$19,020) and ALL 2,653,000 (US$23,240) per year. The average salary for Senior Developers can vary depending on experience, skill level, industry, and location.
Maybe your company doesn't have an office (yet) in Albania. But that doesn't mean you can't hire employees in Albania. There are several options like EORs which can help employ developers legally according to the regulations in Albania.
An Employer of Record (EOR) is a third-party organization that provides employers with a comprehensive solution to managing their workforce in foreign countries. An EOR is especially helpful for companies that have employees located in Albania, as they can help employers navigate the complexities of Albanian labor laws and regulations.
Here are the steps to using an Employer of Record (EOR) in Albania:
1. Select the right EOR: Select an EOR that is well-versed in the labor laws of Albania. Make sure that the EOR has experience working with companies in Albania, as well as a good track record.
2. Understand the local labor laws: The EOR should be able to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the local labor laws and regulations in Albania. Make sure to understand the basics of the local labor laws before proceeding.
3. Negotiate the EOR agreement: Once you have selected an EOR, you will need to negotiate the terms of the EOR agreement. This should include things such as payment terms, services provided, and other relevant terms.
4. Establish the employment relationship: The EOR will then be responsible for establishing the employment relationship between the employer and the employee. This includes things such as preparing the employment contract, setting up payroll, and making sure all necessary taxes are paid.
5. Manage compliance: The EOR will also be responsible for managing compliance with the local labor laws and regulations. This includes making sure that the employer is in compliance with the local labor laws and paying all necessary taxes.
6. Monitor performance: The EOR should also monitor the performance of the employee and provide feedback to the employer. This helps ensure that the employee is performing well and meeting the expectations of the employer.
Using an Employer of Record (EOR) in Albania can help employers compliantly hire employees in the country. It can also help employers save time and money, while ensuring they are in compliance with the local labor laws and regulations.