Ministry of the Interior has drafted some changes in the law on citizenship, which allows foreigners to acquire Albanian citizenship. 

One of them, according to the report, has to do with newborn children. They can obtain Albanian citizenship immediately only with the consent of both parents and without waiting to reach the age of 18, as it has been until now. 

In the relation, it is mentioned that for a foreign citizen who has not reached the age of 18, Albanian citizenship can only be obtained with the consent of the parents or the legal guardian. Unlike before, with new changes proposed by the ministry, foreigners can benefit from Albanian citizenship even if they do not have knowledge of the Albanian language, spoken and written, certified by the relevant educational institution, as well as basic knowledge of the history of Republic of Albania. 

Another change is the removal of the restrictive age criterion of 18 years for the benefit of Albanian citizenship. This will become possible when the person seeking citizenship in our country does not pose a threat to public order and national security in Albania. But also in cases where the Republic of Albania has national interest or interest in the field of education, science, art, culture, economy and sports. 

One of the main proponents of legal changes is the Albanian Football Association. According to FIFA and UEFA regulations, the activation of athletes under the name and logo of the Albanian national team requires that these athletes have Albanian citizenship and passport. For this reason, in cases where the AFL identifies outstanding talents of foreign athletes or of Albanian origin (Kosovo, North Macedonia, Preševo), from the countries of the region and beyond, there is a need to start the procedures for the application of the profit of Albanian citizenship for these foreign athletes. 

The AFA is of the opinion that the establishment of the criterion "to have reached the age of 18", brings a great limitation in the direction of the search and discovery of new talents, not with Albanian citizenship, for their contribution to the Albanian national teams. 

All these proposals have been sent for public consultation. The draft law is expected to be discussed by the MPs in the parliamentary committees until its full vote in the plenary session.