Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha described Albania’s consular service as a success story for citizens at home and abroad. He said the transformation involves technology, but also the quality, speed, and accessibility of services.
In a video message posted on social media, Hoxha said authorities administered 1.378 million consular services between 2017 and 2026.
They also processed 4.3 million legalizations from 2019 through June 2026. In addition, more than 203,000 e-Visa applications have been submitted since 2021.
Hoxha said the ministry aims to simplify procedures and bring services closer to citizens.
“We are working on a Virtual Assistant that will have no working hours. It will answer questions at any time and from anywhere and guide applicants toward the right service,” Hoxha said.
He added that every consular service will include a QR code. Citizens will use it to rate the service and submit complaints.
“We want citizens not only to receive the service, but also to evaluate it. We want to know how we are working and how we can improve,” Hoxha said.
The minister also announced the upcoming creation of a Virtual Diplomatic Presence. The platform will serve as a single digital point for information and consular services in countries where Albania has no physical diplomatic representation.
“We want to move from a practice where citizens go to the state to one where the state goes to citizens and remains close to them,” Hoxha said.
Irida Laçi, Director of Consular Affairs at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, said Albania currently offers 32 services online. Twenty-two of them do not require citizens to appear in person.
She added that, when the nature of the service allows it, authorities can send documents by post.
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