Amendments to Law No. 113/2020 “On Citizenship”

Albanian citizenship can be acquired in several ways:

• Birth or origin
• Naturalization (by fulfilling criteria such as lawful residence, knowledge of the Albanian language and financial/legal conditions)
• Family reunion
• Special cases (when there is national interest in the field of education, science, sports, art and culture, economy)

The Parliament of Albania has approved the amendments to Law No. 113/2020 “On citizenship”.

The main changes consist of:

1. A child born within the territory of the Republic of Albania to parents with other citizenships, who reside legally in Albania, may acquire Albanian citizenship with the consent of both parents.
2. Will not be subject to the Albanian language and Albanian history test: a) foreign citizens in countries whose Albanian language is an official language; b) foreign citizens who apply for Albanian citizenship with the motive of family reunification with their spouse who is an Albanian citizen;  c) foreign citizens who apply for Albanian citizenship with the motive of family reunification with their minor child who is an Albanian citizen
3. A minor foreign citizen can acquire Albanian citizenship in the event that the Republic of Albania has a national interest or an interest in the field of education, science, art, culture, economy and sports, with the consent of the parents as well as the child himself when has turned 14 years old.
4. The citizen has the right to appeal to the administrative court of first instance in Tirana, the administrative act, which decides the non-acceptance of the request for the acquisition, re-acquisition or relinquishment of Albanian citizenship.

In implementation of the law, a new instruction is expected to be issued by the minister responsible for public order and security issues, as well as the minister responsible for foreign affairs.

For further information regarding the acquisition of the Albanian citizenship, contact us!