About the Migration Governance Indicators
About the Migration Governance Indicators
Migrants' rights
Migrants' rights

Indicators in this domain assess the extent to which migrants have the same status as citizens in terms of access to basic social services such as health, education, and social security. It also describes the rights of migrants to family reunification, to work, and to residency and citizenship. The ratification of the main international conventions is also included within this domain.

Indicators in this category look at the extent to which migrants have access to certain social services such as health, education and social security. They also examine measures to ensure integration and access to work.

Whole of government approach
Whole of government approach

Indicators in this domain assess countries’ institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to migration policies. Domain 2 also reviews the existence of national migration strategies that are in-line with development, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in relation to migration management. This domain also investigates the extent to which governments collect and use migration data.

Indicators in this category assess the institutional frameworks of cities for migration. This area also examines the existence of migration strategies consistent with development objectives, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in migration management.

Partnerships
Partnerships

This domain focuses on countries’ efforts to cooperate on migration-related issues with other states and with relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector. Cooperation can lead to improvements in governance by aligning and raising standards, increasing dialogue and providing structures to overcome challenges.

Indicators in this category focus on cities’ efforts to cooperate on migration issues with the national government as well as other cities and relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector.

Well-being of migrants
Well-being of migrants

This domain includes indicators on countries’ policies for managing the socioeconomic well-being of migrants, through aspects such as the recognition of migrants’ educational and professional qualifications, provisions regulating student migration and the existence of bilateral labour agreements between countries. Indicators equally focus on policies and strategies related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances.

Indicators in this category assess cities’ initiatives in terms of international student mobility, access to the labour market and decent working conditions for migrant workers. Aspects related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances are also included in this domain.

Mobility dimensions of crises
Mobility dimensions of crises

This domain studies the type and level of preparedness of countries when they are faced with mobility dimensions of crises, linked to either disasters, the environment and/or conflict. The questions are used to identify the processes in place for nationals and non-nationals both during and after disasters, including whether humanitarian assistance is equally available to migrants as it is to citizens.

Indicators in this category examine the type and level of readiness of cities to deal with aspects of mobility crises. The questions focus on the processes in place for citizens and non-citizens both during and after disasters, especially if humanitarian assistance is available for migrants and citizens.

Safe, orderly and regular migration
Safe, orderly and regular migration

This domain analyses countries’ approach to migration management in terms of border control and enforcement policies, admission criteria for migrants, preparedness and resilience in the case of significant and unexpected migration flows, as well as the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. It also assesses efforts and incentives to help integrate returning citizens.

Indicators in this category look at the cities’ approaches to migrant safety as well as return and reintegration policies and the fight against trafficking in persons.

Key findings
INTRODUCTION

This country Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of Republic of Albania’s governance structures and areas with potential for further development, as evaluated through the six domains of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI). These address migrants’ rights, a “whole-of-government” approach, partnerships, socioeconomic well-being of migrants, the mobility dimesnsions of crises, and safe and orderly migration.

Click the icons on the wheel to explore the key findings.

The Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative is a policy-benchmarking programme led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with research and analysis from the Economist Impact. Funding is provided by IOM Member States. 

Key findings
MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • Depending on migration status, migrants can access the same Government-funded health services as Albanian nationals and all regular migrants have the right to access social protection services.
  • All migrants, irrespective of migration status, asylum-seekers, refugees and persons under complementary protection have the right to access education.
  • Long-term residents and their families have equal access to employment as citizens in Albania and Law No. 79 on Aliens (2021) introduced a “single permit” for all other migrants to access employment.
  • The National Strategy on Migration and Action Plan 2019–2022 (2019) addresses discrimination against migrants.

Areas with potential for further development 

  • Migrants’ access to the labour market is regulated by yearly quotas.
  • Under Law No. 79 on Aliens, a migrant without a valid travel document, a valid visa or a residence permit cannot access public services.
Key findings
WHOLE-OF-GOVERNMENT APPROACH

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • In 2021, Albania strengthened its national legislation regulating immigration through the adoption of Law No. 79 on Aliens and Law No. 10 on Asylum.
  • Albania’s national interministerial coordination mechanism for migration-related issues includes the Steering Group on Migration, the Technical Secretariat for Migration and the Technical Committee for Migration.
  • In 2020, Albania adopted the National Strategy for the Albanian Diaspora 2021–2025, and in 2022, competencies regarding diaspora engagement were assigned to the National Diaspora Agency and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. 

Areas with potential for further development 

  • The National Strategy on Migration and Action Plan (2019) does not take into consideration migration as a result of the adverse effects of climate change or environmental degradation.
  • There is no coordination mechanism or clear guidelines to compile, harmonize and standardize migration data collected by different government agencies.
  • Albania has a transparent and accessible set of rules regarding migration, but these are not yet centralized and remain scattered across various government websites.
Key findings
PARTNERSHIPS

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • Albania, among other 40 countries, adopted the Istanbul Commitments on the Silk Routes Partnership for Migration and its Call for Action in February 2019 and it is part of several other regional processes and forums.
  • Partnerships with the diaspora have been strengthened through the creation of the Coordinating Council of Teachers in the Diaspora in 2020 and the Diaspora Coordination Council in 2018. 
  • In 2019, Albania became part of the Open Balkan initiative, a regional agreement promoting labour mobility, and it is signatory to several migration related MoUs.

Areas with potential for further development: 

  • Civil society organizations (CSOs) and the private sector are engaged in agenda-setting and the implementation of migration-related policies in a limited and ad hoc manner. 
Key findings
WELL-BEING OF MIGRANTS

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • As of 2019, the application process for the recognition of foreign diplomas is carried out entirely online through the Government’s e-Albania portal.
  • In 2021, the National Strategy for Gender Equality 2021–2030 was approved to promote gender equality for all women, including migrants, in the labour force. 
  • Law No. 79 on Aliens (2021) sets out relevant conditions that need to be verified by the National Agency for Employment and Skills to ensure the ethical recruitment of migrants.

Areas with potential for further development 

  • There are no regular national assessments to monitor the labour market demand for immigrants or the effects of emigration on the labour market.
  • Albania does not allow equal access to university education for all international students.
Key findings
MOBILITY DIMENSION OF CRISES

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • In 2019, the Government adopted Law No. 45 on Civil Protection to reduce the risk from disasters and to guarantee the protection of people by strengthening the civil defence system.
  • Under Law No. 10 on Asylum, Albania offers temporary protection to persons who are fleeing war or other similar crises of violence or conflict in their respective home countries and whose home countries cannot guarantee their protection.

Areas with potential for further development 

  • There are no current environmental and climate change policies that consider human mobility issues as a response to crisis prevention.
  • The National Civil Emergency Plan (2004) provides for response and recovery post-emergency, but it does not contain specific provisions for migrants.
  • While there are communication systems in place to disseminate information during crises, they do not take into account the specific vulnerabilities that migrants face.
Key findings
SAFE, ORDERLY AND DIGNIFIED MIGRATION

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • In 2020, the Ministry of Interior adopted the National Strategy against Organized Crime and Serious Crimes 2021–2025 and the Action Plan 2021–2022 to combat human trafficking. 
  • Albania has policies and procedures in place for the timely identification of migrants in vulnerable situations and to provide them with adequate referral and protection services.
  • Law No. 10 on Asylum (2021) strengthens the child-centric approach of Albanian procedures and measures aimed at ensuring the protection of migrant children, including unaccompanied children. 

Areas with potential for further development 

  • There are measures to attract nationals who have emigrated to other countries, but these remain limited and ad hoc. 
  • Although the National Strategy on Migration addresses the reintegration of returning nationals, specific actions have not been executed as planned.
  • There are no formal systems in place to trace and identify international migrants that have gone missing in the process of migration within the national territory.

2023 August

Migration Governance Second Profile: Republic of Albania