The Minister of Economy and Innovation, Delina Ibrahimaj, announced on Friday that the Council of Ministers has approved a decision to index pensions by 2.7%, effective July 1, 2026.

In a statement to journalists following the government meeting, Minister Ibrahimaj stated that this decision restores the standard pension indexation scheme.

"Today, we approved the decision to index pensions for 2026. It is a decision that restores the process to its normal course," the minister said.

Ibrahimaj recalled that during 2022, due to the energy crisis, pensions were indexed twice, in April and October.

“Starting this year, from July 1, 2026, we will index pensions by 2.7%. This indexation includes all old-age pensions, special pensions, as well as maternity benefits,” Ibrahimaj said.

According to Ibrahimaj, this measure will benefit about 900 thousand citizens, who will have the 2.7% indexation reflected in the payments they will receive starting from July 1, 2026.

Furthermore, Minister Ibrahimaj announced that the government approved two draft laws within the framework of the European integration process, which aim to increase transparency in financial markets and improve trade relations.

Minister Ibrahimaj informed that the approved acts are part of the negotiation chapters covered by the Ministry of Economy and Innovation and are related to the country's economic development.

"The two approved draft laws are part of the chapters covered by the Ministry of Economy and Innovation and contribute to the country's economic development by providing more transparency to business processes," said Ibrahimaj.

According to her, the first draft law concerns the transparency of securities issuers, an area supervised by the Financial Supervisory Authority. “The draft law is 100% aligned with European Union legislation. It improves the functioning of capital markets, which are very important for creating a better business climate, and increases transparency for the issuance of securities by imposing additional obligations for the publication of reports by issuers,” the minister said.

Ibrahimaj said that the government also approved another draft law on late payments in commercial contractual obligations, which is also aligned with European Union directives.

“This draft law regulates relations between traders and aims to guarantee more fairness in payments between them, by setting clearer rules for the deadlines for fulfilling contractual obligations,” Ibrahimaj said.

Also, Ibrahimaj said that the government continues to implement supportive policies for the housing of specific categories of public administration every year.

“Every year we have applied policies for the housing of certain categories of employees, and today we approved the quotas for 300 soft loans, which will be granted at a zero interest rate for certain categories of public administration,” said Ibrahimaj.

According to Ibrahimaj, they have been divided into 70 quotas for State Police employees; 20 quotas for Prison Police employees; 70 quotas for teachers; 70 quotas for doctors and nurses, and 70 quotas for military personnel.