Since the 1990s, Italy and Greece were the primary destinations for Albanian emigrants seeking better job opportunities and living conditions. Over time, these emigrants gradually integrated into their host societies.
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In 2008, Italy issued 63,000 residence permits, and Greece granted 30,000 to Albanian citizens, while other countries provided significantly fewer permits. After 2009, the number of permits from Italy and Greece declined, reflecting a slowdown in emigration. However, a new wave of migration since 2016 has broadened the geographic scope.
Italy remains the leading country, issuing around 30,000 permits annually. Since 2020, Germany has emerged as the second largest destination for Albanian emigrants, granting nearly 16,000 permits in 2022 and around 15,000 in 2023. Greece followed with 12,600 permits, while Croatia (1,800), Belgium (1,240), and Malta (1,200) also became notable destinations.
While Italy and Greece mainly issue permits for family reasons, Germany, Croatia, and Malta attract workers. Germany has issued nearly 10,000 work permits between 2022-2023, with many Albanians migrating for jobs in healthcare, IT, and construction. Croatia and Malta are also drawing Albanian workers, primarily in construction and tourism, according to Eurostat sources.
In 2023, 75,000 residence permits were issued to Albanians by EU countries, following the trend from 2022 when 79,200 were granted. Since 2008, a total of 920,000 Albanian citizens have received their first residence permits, signaling a continuous and increasing wave of migration.