Economy & Finance
The big picture

Albania sees steady rise in remittances, boosting economy
Remittances from emigrants remain one of the strongest pillars supporting Albania’s economy and household income. In the first half of 2025 alone, transfers from abroad reached €532 million, marking a...

Construction costs rise in Albania despite easing in material prices
Albania’s construction sector is facing higher costs, particularly for wages and machinery, even as material prices show a slight decline. According to INSTAT, the Construction Cost Index for residential buildings...

Albania to centralize waste management under a national operator from 2026
The Albanian Government will send to Parliament for approval in the first week of September a draft law that transforms the current waste management agency into a state-owned joint-stock company...

Albania’s businesses turn to foreign workers as immigration ticks up
Albania—long a country of emigration—is beginning to see the reverse flow. Nearly 22,000 foreign nationals held Albanian residence permits in 2024, up 2.2% from 2023, as companies fill labor gaps...

Albania eases bank capital rules to boost infrastructure lending; crisis buffer held at 0.5%
The Bank of Albania has adjusted capital-adequacy rules to give second-tier banks more room to lend to large infrastructure projects—roads, ports and airports—under strict regulatory supervision. The move is designed...

Albania named a 2025 tourism success story as global travel hits records
Global tourism is having a record year—and Albania is among the ten standout destinations of 2025. UNWTO data show international visitors to Albania up 80% this year, cementing the country’s...