Albania towards the Schengen Zone - What is the plan to enable free movement without internal border controls with the EU?
Albania is preparing to integrate into the Schengen Area. To do so, the country must first meet certain requirements that will enable free movement without internal border controls.
The Schengen Action Plan 2026-2030 has been published in the Official Journal, listing all the measures that will be taken over the 4 years, such as effective management of external borders and close cooperation on asylum, visa policy, security and police coordination.
Albania will have full operational access to all relevant information systems, the authority to issue Schengen visas, and the lifting of internal border controls, a few years after the date of accession.
Some of the measures include the establishment of a Schengen management structure, led by a designated National Schengen Coordinator, while dedicated training and other capacity-building activities for border management structures will also be provided.
Renewing and drafting cooperation agreements with domestic and international partners, as well as improving cross-border cooperation with neighboring countries, is also a priority. The plan foresees increasing the number of joint patrols with Montenegro, Kosovo and North Macedonia, while new surveillance cameras and license plate readers will be installed at border crossing points.
The conclusion of agreements on the establishment of Police and Customs Cooperation Centres with Greece, on the establishment of joint border crossing points and the carrying out of joint border and customs controls with Greece would be an appropriate measure leading towards the fulfilment of Schengen requirements in this area. In the meantime, border crossing points with Montenegro will also be added.
Albania should develop a Contingency Plan to respond to potential mass influxes of migrants and asylum seekers. Furthermore, the country should ensure sufficient reception capacities and implement repatriation procedures in full compliance with the Law on Foreigners and in line with the EU acquis.
By eliminating internal border controls, Schengen reduces administrative costs and improves supply chains. At the same time, it facilitates the free movement of workers, goods and services, enabling companies to operate efficiently, benefiting from larger markets and simpler processes.
The strategic objective is that by 2030, which constitutes the government's main objective to join the EU, Albania will have fulfilled all Schengen requirements, which will be implemented through the National Schengen Action Plan.
Currently, 29 countries are part of the Schengen Area, 25 of which are European Union member states and 4 are non-members.
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