Bank loans drive life insurance growth, while fires and natural disasters raise property payouts by 20%
TIRANA, August 25 – Albania’s insurance market maintained steady growth from January to July 2026. Insurance premium income reached ALL 15.92 billion. Meanwhile, payouts to citizens rose by more than 12% to ALL 5.41 billion. Bank lending has strongly driven growth in life insurance, making it one of the market’s …
Albanian Football Federation seeks donors for 2 football fields for ethnic Albanians in southern Serbia’s Presheva Valley
TIRANA, August 25 – The Albanian Football Federation has launched a project to build 2 modern football fields in the Presheva Valley in southern Serbia, an area with a predominantly ethnic Albanian population. One field will be built in the Municipality of Presheva and the other in the Municipality of …
Term Deposits in Albanian Lek Increase by 14.8% in June
TIRANA, August 25 – Term deposits in the Albanian Lek (ALL) continued their upward trend in June 2026. According to data from the Bank of Albania, they exceeded ALL 244 billion by mid-year, marking a 14.8% increase from the same period in 2025. The growth rate accelerated from the end …
Rising number of foreign residents’ prompts expanded capacity for residence permits
TIRANA, August 25 – The number of foreigners holding residence permits in Albania reached 32,163 at the end of 2025, according to data from the Institute of Statistics. The figure increased by 46.6% from 2024. Men accounted for 65% and women for 35%, while people aged 30–39 represented the largest …
Epidemiologist Vasili on West Nile fever: Starts like mild flu, does not spread between people
TIRANA, August 25 – Epidemiologist Adela Vasili of the Institute of Public Health said West Nile fever spreads only through infected mosquitoes and not from person to person. She discussed the main symptoms after Albania confirmed its first case in Korça. Meanwhile, Vasili said authorities have confirmed no other suspected …
EU enlargement: Marta Kos proposes gradual integration and stronger safeguards
TIRANA, August 25 – European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has presented key elements of the European Commission’s plans to reform the European Union enlargement process. Euronews reported that the proposals include gradual integration, stricter checks on candidate countries and a new methodology. Speaking at the Croatian Ambassadors’ Conference in …
PM Rama: New political season should focus on citizens’ concerns
TIRANA, August 25 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said the new political season should bring stronger engagement with citizens and greater attention to their concerns. He spoke during a 2-day meeting in Pogradec with government ministers and Socialist Party political leaders from across Albania. Rama said the meeting focused on …
Foreign visitor arrivals in Albania top 7 million in seven months, nearly 2 million in July
TIRANA, August 25 – More than 7 million foreign nationals entered Albania in the first seven months of 2026, with nearly 2 million arrivals recorded in July alone. INSTAT reported 1,955,099 foreign arrivals in July, up 7.1% from 1,825,490 a year earlier. From January through July, Albania recorded 7,014,168 entries …
Travelweek highlights Tirana’s transformation into a modern capital
TIRANA, August 25 – Canadian travel media Travelweek has published an article by Tim Johnson on Tirana’s rapid transformation. The report describes the capital as a modern and dynamic city that is attracting growing international tourism. Johnson highlights the changes around Skanderbeg Square. Modern buildings, public spaces, restaurants and renovated …
Ageing vehicle fleet raises pollution risks in Albania, World Bank says
TIRANA, August 25 – Albania faces growing pollution and road-safety risks from its ageing vehicle fleet, according to the World Bank. The country’s motorization rate has increased by 122% over the past 10 years. Of the vehicles registered in Albania, 91% are more than 10 years old. The rest have …
Albanian Defence Minister Ermal Nufi has expressed solidarity with Italy after a military helicopter crashed near Brčko, Bosnia and Herzegovina, killing three people and injuring 12 others. The helicopter supported the EUFOR Althea mission, the European Union’s peacekeeping operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. “I am deeply saddened by this tragic …
Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha has expressed condolences to the families of the victims of a military helicopter crash near Brčko, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The crash involved a helicopter linked to the EUFOR mission. It killed three people and injured 12 others. Hoxha extended Albania’s condolences to the victims’ families, …
Work on the Saranda bypass is progressing rapidly, with completion expected next year. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared new footage of the construction site and said the project would reduce traffic and make travel easier for residents and tourists. The project, known as the “Sixth Road”, includes the construction of …
Albania has lost one of its most distinguished legal scholars. Academician Luan Omari, a founding member of the Academy of Sciences of Albania, died on October 29, 2026, at the age of 101. Omari devoted his life to legal research, education and the development of Albania’s constitutional system. Through his …
Roskovec has welcomed local and regional officials from the European Union and Mediterranean countries following the 17th session of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) in Tirana. The visit brought together mayors, local councillors and representatives from Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Jordan, Morocco and Mauritania. They exchanged experiences and …
Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha met Canadian Ambassador to Albania Elissa Golberg on October 29 to discuss bilateral relations and opportunities to deepen cooperation. Hoxha described Canada as a friend, NATO ally and trusted partner. He also thanked Ottawa for its contribution to Albania’s democratic consolidation and socio-economic development. Both …
Albania’s government has approved a draft law to establish a National Art Fund. The initiative will use part of the savings from public procurement to support artists and invest in the country’s cultural heritage. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said the fund would allocate up to 10% of …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has shared a video showing construction work on Saranda’s “Sixth Road,” highlighting the importance of the investment in improving road infrastructure and easing traffic congestion in the city. According to Rama, the project aims to reduce traffic, make daily travel easier for residents, and provide better …
The Transparency Board has set new retail and wholesale prices for diesel and petrol in Albania following a meeting held on Thursday, October 29. According to the board’s decision, the maximum retail price of diesel will be 212 lek per litre, while the wholesale price must not exceed 200 lek …
The unexplained transfer of Tirana’s mayor to Fier prison has triggered tensions within the ruling Socialist Party and an immediate response from Tirana’s Municipal Council, raising serious concerns about administrative arbitrariness and the rule of law. Tirana Times, October 29, 2026 – The sudden transfer of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj …