Movement without controls begins on the Kosovo-Albania border / Millions of citizens benefit from simplified circulation
From May 1 to September 30, there will be no controls at the border between Albania and Kosovo, allowing citizens of both countries to move faster and more easily. During this period, citizens will be able to travel freely without having to present a passport or identity card at the border crossing.
The agreement signed between the two governments in the spring of 2024 has been reinstated this Friday, continuing the simplified circulation scheme between Albania and Kosovo. This facilitation is seen as an important step in strengthening economic, tourist and social ties between the citizens of the two countries, especially in the months when movements reach their peak.
INSTAT data shows that during 2025, around 4.6 million entries into Albanian territory were recorded, by Kosovo Albanians traveling for tourism, work or family visits.
In average terms, this translates into around 12,700 entries per day by Kosovo citizens towards Albania, a clear indication of the high intensity of movement and continuous flow at border points.
Meanwhile, only at the beginning of 2026, around 634 thousand entries were registered, while data from previous years show that the busiest periods are those of the summer season. In August alone, the flow exceeded 1 million entries, mainly related to tourism, as many Kosovo Albanians choose the coast for their summer holidays.
This trend shows that movement between the two countries is not just seasonal, but a stable and growing connection, which is expected to be further strengthened with the easing of borders throughout most of the year.
Citizens increase consumer debts/ Tirana holds the main weight, Elbasan leads the growth
According to data from the Bank of Albania, consumer credit for individuals increased significantly in the first quarter of 2026. In total, consumer loans......
How much were loans affected by the depreciation of the euro? - BoA: The quality of loans in foreign currency not hedged by the exchange rate has improved
The quality of foreign currency loans unhedged from exchange rate fluctuations improved in the second half of last year. Borrowing in foreign currency is......
“Young people work, but are not valued” - ALTAX Analysis: Seasonal jobs and low wages
The Albanian economy is creating more jobs than a decade ago, but many of them remain precarious, seasonal, and with wages that do not keep pace with the......
Over half of the employed in Albania, "manual labor"/ Agriculture, industry and construction hold the main weight
Data from INSTAT show that around 57% of employees in Albania are engaged in sectors that are mainly related to physical labor, or as it is otherwise known,......
OBP publishes the first catalog for medical materials - Unified standards and prices for hospitals
The Centralized Purchasing Operator (OBP) jsc has published the first catalog for "Purchase of general and surgical medical supplies for hospital needs",......
What could summer vacations be like for Europeans? - Nearby destinations are targeted for fear of rising airfares
Europeans may choose closer destinations rather than traveling to more distant places in Asia and the Middle East for their summer vacations, an analyst......
Syria, dependent on Russian oil - Shipments have increased by 75%, to about 60,000 barrels per day this year
Russia has emerged as Syria's main oil supplier, despite the new government's ties to the West and distrust of Moscow for its military support for ousted......
The golden days of the euro are over - Since April 1, 1 euro has been equal to 95 lek. The lek, stronger than ever
The exchange rate continues to favor the lek, while the euro has bottomed out. Since the beginning of the year, the European currency has only depreciated......
