The agreement on mutual recognition of pension contributions between Albania and Italy enters in force starting from June 1.

The news was made public by the Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, who said that the little sister brought to Albania the final document on this process. 

According to the agreement between Albania and Italy, more than 500,000 Albanians and a significant number of Italian citizens are expected to benefit. 

Those how benefit are all individuals who have paid social insurance contributions both in Albania and Italy.

The Italy-Albania pension agreement is intended for all citizens who have lived in Italy, whether they returned or are still there. If they don’t have the required years to qualify for a minimum pension in either country (20 years in Italy, 15 in Albania), they can combine their work periods in both countries to qualify for what's called 'prorata' — a method of calculating contributions from both countries. For example, if someone worked 10 years in Albania and 10 years in Italy, those years are added together, and the pension is calculated proportionally based on the contributions in each country.

The required documents for Italy include any Italian documents, such as residence permits (‘permesso di soggiorno’), especially since Italy has digitalized contributions from 2012 onward. For Albania, the work booklet or any other documentation confirming work experience is needed. Especially for periods before 2012, documents are required for the e-Albania verification process.

The Italian INPS will transfer its portion directly to the individual’s bank account, while the Albanian ISSH will send theirs separately. If someone lives in Albania and is already receiving a pension there, they can also apply for the Italian pension, which will arrive as a separate bank transfer.

Italy’s legislation regulates so-called “patronato institutions,” which provide citizens with social services. ITAL – Institute for the Protection and Assistance of Workers – was founded by the Italian Labour Union (UIL) and has operated for 70 years in Italy and abroad, serving workers, pensioners, youth, the unemployed, and migrants.

The activities of patronati are monitored and financed by the Italian Ministry of Labour. ITAL has about 1,600 offices and contact points in Italy and worldwide. Under the UIM (Union of Italians in the World) banner, ITAL has recently opened a presence in Albania — UIM Albania.