Blog
News

Albania’s 2027 Tax Plan Raises Concerns Over Foreign Investment and Business Climate

TIRANA, Albania — Albania’s proposed fiscal package for 2027 has triggered unusually broad opposition from domestic and foreign business organizations, with American, German and Italian investors warning that higher taxes and sudden changes in fiscal policy could undermine the country’s competitiveness and discourage future investment. The objections come as Prime …

Read More
News

Albania’s 2027 Fiscal Package and the Risks to Investment

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Albania’s 2027 Fiscal Package and the Risks to Investment appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here

Read More
News

Finance Minister Petrit Malaj: 30% of 2027 budget allocated to social protection

Albania’s 2027 budget will reach €10 billion for the first time, with 30% allocated to social protection, Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said in a television interview. As part of the plan, the government has allocated €250 million to pensions in 2027, including funding for pension indexation. In addition, it plans …

Read More
News

Vlora port suspends small-vessel departures as weather conditions worsen

The Port of Vlora Harbour Master’s Office has banned departures by small vessels and fishing boats planning to operate outside the Bay of Vlora from November 11 to 14 due to worsening weather conditions. The forecast warns of southerly to southeasterly winds reaching force 7–8 on the Beaufort scale, with …

Read More
News

Vlora hosts European Film Academy board, opening new cooperation opportunities

The European Film Academy’s Board held its three-day meeting in Albania, bringing leading European producers and filmmakers to Vlora. During their stay, board members met Albanian film professionals and explored the country’s history, culture and filming potential. The visit aimed to create new partnerships and promote Albania as a destination …

Read More
News

U.S. President Trump nominates Mikhail Bogachek as ambassador to Kosova

U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Mikhail Bogachek as the next US ambassador to Kosova, submitting his name to the Senate for confirmation. The White House announced the nomination on November 10. Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Prishtina remains under the leadership of Chargé d’Affaires Anu Prattipati. Former ambassador Jeff …

Read More
News

Justice Minister Toni Gogu discusses faster court proceedings with Italian officials

Albanian Justice Minister Toni Gogu held three meetings in Rome with Italian officials to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the field of justice. During a visit to the Italian Senate, Gogu met Maurizio Gasparri, chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee. He thanked Gasparri for ratifying the …

Read More
News

Agriculture budget rises 10% in 2027 to support farmers and food safety

Albania’s draft 2027 budget allocates around ALL 18 billion to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, a 10% increase on the initial 2026 budget, Agriculture Minister Andis Salla said. Rural development remains the main priority, with ALL 8.4 billion, including ALL 5.3 billion for the national support scheme, up …

Read More
News

Kanina Castle reopens to visitors after restoration works

Restoration and improvement works have finished at Kanina Castle in Vlora. The historic monument is now ready to welcome visitors with improved infrastructure, Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced. The project included conservation and structural works, alongside infrastructure upgrades, to protect the castle’s historical and cultural heritage. In …

Read More
News

Albania prepare for Finland in Nations League

Albania’s national team continued preparations for their upcoming matches against Finland and Belarus with a training session at the House of Football on Wednesday. The Albanian Football Association said all players trained at full intensity and were available to coach Rolando Maran. The team began the session in the gym …

Read More
News
Ambassador Wendt meets students building Albania’s future, inspired by the US

US Ambassador Eric Wendt continued his series of meetings after taking up his new post, this time meeting with students who took part in an exchange program in the United States. The US Embassy shared details and photos from the meeting. According to the embassy’s post, the discussion focused on …

News
Diabetes, the silent disease affecting thousands of Albanians, prompts calls for early screening

November 14 marks World Diabetes Day, which aims to raise awareness of the disease and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Doctors are calling for greater awareness because diabetes, often described as a silent disease, can cause serious complications if left unmanaged. In Albania, around 100,000 adults and 300 …

News
Bank of Albania warns of fraudulent messages impersonating central bank

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ – The Bank of Albania on Friday warned the public about fraudulent messages, known as phishing, circulating under the central bank’s name. The messages falsely claim that recipients’ bank accounts have been suspended and urge them to click on a link to update their personal information, …

News
Albanian wines make debut at ProWine Shanghai, securing 120 business contacts

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Albania made its debut with a national pavilion at “ProWine Shanghai 2026”, one of Asia’s largest wine trade fairs. The event was held from 10 to 12 November in Shanghai, China, with the Albanian pavilion among exhibitors from around the world. It was organised by the …

News
Ibrahimaj: Card payment fees to be capped from January 2027, halving costs for retail businesses

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Businesses and consumers are set to benefit from lower costs for electronic and card payments under the new Payments Law, which will take effect on 1 January 2027. In a video message today, Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj said the legislation caps interchange fees at …

News
Albanian government approves cybersecurity law changes, fines of up to 10 million leks

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ – Albania’s government has approved amendments to the country’s cybersecurity law, introducing new obligations for public institutions and operators of critical information infrastructure, alongside tougher penalties for non-compliance. Under the amendments, operators will be required to submit declarations to the National Cyber Security Authority (AKSK) detailing …

News
Përmet and Devoll Hospitals to adopt new management model, with services set to expand

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ The hospitals in Përmet and Devoll have been included in the hospital reform as part of the reorganisation of healthcare facilities, aimed at improving management efficiency, optimising resources and enhancing services for citizens. Minister of Health and Social Welfare Klodiana Spahiu and Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro …

News
Constitutional Court drafts 2027-2029 strategic plan with OSCE, Konrad Adenauer Foundation support

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ –  Albania’s Constitutional Court has begun drafting its Strategic Action Plan for 2027-2029, with support from the OSCE Presence in Albania and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS). During a two-day workshop, court members, together with experts and advisers from the OSCE and KAS, worked on defining …

News
Reconstruction, Koçiu: 75 More Apartments handed over in Kombinat

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu announced today that a further 75 apartments had been handed over this week to families affected by the 26 November 2019 earthquake in the Kombinat area of Tirana. Koçiu shared footage of a family moving into its new home in Kombinat, assuring …

News
Minister: 72% of Culture Ministry budget to go to arts and heritage, new management model planned for Byllis

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA-By Maela Marini/ – Around 72% of the 2027 budget of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport will be allocated to the arts, culture and cultural heritage, with a focus on restoring and protecting castles, museums, archaeological sites and historic monuments, Minister Blendi Gonxhja said on …

News

Ambassador Wendt meets students building Albania’s future, inspired by the US

US Ambassador Eric Wendt continued his series of meetings after taking up his new post, this time meeting with students who took part in an exchange program in the United States. The US Embassy shared details and photos from the meeting. According to the embassy’s post, the discussion focused on …

News

Diabetes, the silent disease affecting thousands of Albanians, prompts calls for early screening

November 14 marks World Diabetes Day, which aims to raise awareness of the disease and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Doctors are calling for greater awareness because diabetes, often described as a silent disease, can cause serious complications if left unmanaged. In Albania, around 100,000 adults and 300 …

News

Bank of Albania warns of fraudulent messages impersonating central bank

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ – The Bank of Albania on Friday warned the public about fraudulent messages, known as phishing, circulating under the central bank’s name. The messages falsely claim that recipients’ bank accounts have been suspended and urge them to click on a link to update their personal information, …

News

Albanian wines make debut at ProWine Shanghai, securing 120 business contacts

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Albania made its debut with a national pavilion at “ProWine Shanghai 2026”, one of Asia’s largest wine trade fairs. The event was held from 10 to 12 November in Shanghai, China, with the Albanian pavilion among exhibitors from around the world. It was organised by the …

News

Ibrahimaj: Card payment fees to be capped from January 2027, halving costs for retail businesses

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Businesses and consumers are set to benefit from lower costs for electronic and card payments under the new Payments Law, which will take effect on 1 January 2027. In a video message today, Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj said the legislation caps interchange fees at …

News

Albanian government approves cybersecurity law changes, fines of up to 10 million leks

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ – Albania’s government has approved amendments to the country’s cybersecurity law, introducing new obligations for public institutions and operators of critical information infrastructure, alongside tougher penalties for non-compliance. Under the amendments, operators will be required to submit declarations to the National Cyber Security Authority (AKSK) detailing …

News

Përmet and Devoll Hospitals to adopt new management model, with services set to expand

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ The hospitals in Përmet and Devoll have been included in the hospital reform as part of the reorganisation of healthcare facilities, aimed at improving management efficiency, optimising resources and enhancing services for citizens. Minister of Health and Social Welfare Klodiana Spahiu and Minister of Education Mirela Kumbaro …

News

Constitutional Court drafts 2027-2029 strategic plan with OSCE, Konrad Adenauer Foundation support

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ –  Albania’s Constitutional Court has begun drafting its Strategic Action Plan for 2027-2029, with support from the OSCE Presence in Albania and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS). During a two-day workshop, court members, together with experts and advisers from the OSCE and KAS, worked on defining …

News

Reconstruction, Koçiu: 75 More Apartments handed over in Kombinat

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA/ Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu announced today that a further 75 apartments had been handed over this week to families affected by the 26 November 2019 earthquake in the Kombinat area of Tirana. Koçiu shared footage of a family moving into its new home in Kombinat, assuring …

News

Minister: 72% of Culture Ministry budget to go to arts and heritage, new management model planned for Byllis

TIRANA, Nov 13 /ATA-By Maela Marini/ – Around 72% of the 2027 budget of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport will be allocated to the arts, culture and cultural heritage, with a focus on restoring and protecting castles, museums, archaeological sites and historic monuments, Minister Blendi Gonxhja said on …