Albanians are not only leaving, but they are abandoning the country altogether. Nearly 900 people renounced their Albanian citizenship last year in exchange for a European or Australian passport.
Compared to 2023, the number of those who "leave without returning" increased by 52 cases or 6.1 percent.
Rafael Todhe, a lawyer in Germany, says: "There are few countries that allow dual citizenship. Normally, the country that hosts you expects you to give up your citizenship and take advantage of the country where you live. Obtaining citizenship is a lengthy procedure and qualified people have priority. This process can take up to 7-8 years."
More and more Albanians are giving up their passports from their country of birth to obtain those of a country that offers them more, at least in one respect, that of the economy. Data from the Ministry of Interior shows that in the last decade, over 6,600 Albanians have given up their Albanian passports.
"Many European Union countries do not allow dual citizenship, including Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Spain. Countries where Albanian emigration flows are the largest," Todhe emphasizes.
But what is pushing them to give up their citizenship?
Eldisa Cirogu, a researcher on immigration, explains: "The biggest part that pushes them are 3 indicators: a better job, better education, better health. They do not benefit from many advantages that states give. If they receive it, they are European citizens and they benefit first of all from free movement, change of residence."
According to INSTAT data, around 52 percent of those who left the country are young people aged 15-35.
"In addition to the economic contraction, the large workforce is leaving, on the other hand we perceive a demographic contraction, a faster aging of our population," said Cirogu.
According to data from EUROSTAT, more than 521 thousand Albanian citizens have obtained citizenship of one of the European Union countries in the last 20 years. /A2CNN
