The number of Albanian migrants holding valid residence permits in Greece decreased in 2024, reflecting broader demographic and migration trends. According to data from Greece’s Ministry of Migration, by the end of October, 275,630 Albanian citizens were registered with regular residence permits in Greece, accounting for 57.2% of all legally residing foreigners in the country.
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| Albanians at the immigration offices in Athens |
Breakdown of Albanian Migrants in Greece
In addition to this group, a specific category of migrants from Albania—members of the Greek minority who emigrated years ago—holds a unique status as “homogeneis” (ethnic Greeks). This subgroup made up about 70% of the total in this category, amounting to 20,557 individuals in 2024.
At the close of the previous year, December 2023, official records indicated 285,842 Albanian citizens residing legally in Greece, making up 60.5% of all legally documented foreign nationals.
Gender Distribution and Irregular Migration
Unlike other foreign nationalities in Greece, where men dominate (70–90%), the Albanian migrant population has a more balanced gender distribution: 54% male and 46% female, according to data from the Greek Ministry of Migration.
Irregular migration of Albanians to Greece has also declined. Over the first ten months of 2024, Albanians accounted for about 5% of the 11,161 undocumented migrants seeking international protection in Greece. However, Albanians have the lowest asylum approval rates, with only 1.03% of first-instance applications receiving positive responses from Greek asylum authorities in the same period.
Trends Over Time
The decline in the number of Albanians with valid residence permits in Greece is part of a broader trend. In December 2021, 435,642 Albanians were registered with legal residence permits, constituting 62.8% of all foreigners with regular status.
Reasons for the Decline
Several factors contribute to this trend:
- Economic Migration to Other EU Countries: Many Albanian migrants began relocating from Greece to other EU countries or the UK during Greece’s economic crisis.
- Slow Administrative Processes: The process of issuing residence permits remains slow, discouraging applications.
- Acquisition of Greek Citizenship: A portion of second-generation Albanian migrants has acquired Greek citizenship, eliminating the need for residence permits.
Implications and Observations
The steady decrease in the number of Albanian migrants with legal status in Greece reflects both improved integration into Greek society and shifting migration patterns. While the decline highlights successful naturalization efforts, it also underscores ongoing challenges in migration management and economic adaptation for those still in the process of integrating.