Albania to raise minimum wage to €500 by 2026
Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced that Albania’s minimum wage will increase to €500 per month starting January 2026, as part of the “Albania 2030” program. The plan, which will be implemented if the Socialist Party wins the upcoming May 11 elections, was revealed during Rama’s latest virtual address.
Why is this important: The minimum wage has undergone significant changes under the Socialist government. When the party came to power in 2013, it stood at €157. Two years ago, it was raised to €400, marking a steady increase. Meanwhile, the average public sector salary rose from €372 in 2013 to nearly €1,000 in 2024, while the private sector average increased from €322 to €830.
Context: The Socialist Party is set to unveil its full campaign platform on Friday, with housing policies expected to feature prominently. Rama highlighted the government’s record in assisting families with 35,000 new, repaired, or energy-efficient homes since taking office, promising to expand the program to 50,000 homes by 2030.
Opposition response: The opposition, led by Sali Berisha, has countered with its own set of tax cuts and economic reforms, which it calls a recovery program. Key proposals include:
- Flat tax of 10%
- 2% tax on property sales
- Reduction in electricity prices by 6 lek/kWh
- Fuel price alignment with Kosovo and North Macedonia, reducing costs by around 10%
- Fourfold reduction in the number of inspectors
- Five-year tax exemption for returning emigrants who invest in Albania
Berisha has accused Rama of plagiarizing some of the opposition’s ideas, claiming the government’s latest proposals mimic their policies. Rama on the other hand has branded the opposition’s pledges “promises made by merchants selling flying carpets.”
With both sides presenting competing economic visions, the minimum wage increase is set to remain a focal point in the upcoming election campaign.
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