Albania’s post-election agenda is shifting into high gear, with a newly seated parliament pushing EU accession alignment and sector reforms, according to Lalaj & Partners Partner Sabina Lalaj, who says momentum is visible across key areas, from environmental legislation and SEPA integration to construction, real estate, and tourism.
"Following the recent elections, the new parliament is now fully operational, and there is a clear sense of renewed momentum," Lalaj begins. "The government has made an explicit commitment to achieving EU accession by 2030, which means that the coming four years will be extremely busy from a legislative and institutional standpoint. All negotiation chapters have been opened, and alignment with the acquis is now the central theme across all ministries."
Continuing, Lalaj stresses that there is strong political will to accelerate harmonization with EU law. "The ministries have been instructed to fast-track the drafting and consultation of pending legislation, and that is already visible in parliamentary activity. Just this month, parliamentary committees reopened discussions on several key bills, including the long-awaited Law on Integrated Waste Management, a major piece of environmental legislation carried over from the previous parliament." According to her, this law, together with a forthcoming framework on extended producer responsibility, will introduce significant obligations for companies operating in Albania, particularly in manufacturing, packaging, and retail. "Many interest groups are participating actively in consultations, and although debates continue, the process is moving forward. Once adopted, these laws will mark another step forward in aligning Albania’s environmental standards with EU directives," Lalaj posits.
As for other positive developments, Lalaj highlights "Albania’s accession to SEPA – the Single Euro Payments Area framework. This might not sound dramatic, but it’s a game-changer for individuals and businesses alike. It has drastically reduced the cost of transferring money across borders, improved the efficiency of banking operations, and removed many barriers to capital flow," she explains. "For citizens working abroad, for example, this means cheaper and faster remittances, and for companies engaged in cross-border trade, it significantly lowers transaction costs. It’s a success story for the Bank of Albania and another important milestone in our integration journey."
Taking aim at the broader economy, Lalaj reports that the same key sectors continue to underpin Albania’s growth story. "Construction, real estate, and tourism have remained strong even in a somewhat uncertain global environment. Real estate development is ongoing across Tirana and the coastal regions, often tied to tourism infrastructure. In fact, this year alone, more than 10.2 million tourists arrived in Albania, according to official data, a record figure and one that the government proudly cites as evidence of Albania’s rising profile as both a tourism and investment destination," she outlines. "There’s also an evident policy shift toward promoting Albania not only as a holiday spot but as a country open for serious investment, particularly in hospitality, renewable energy, and infrastructure," Lalaj goes on to add. "Investor confidence is growing, supported by macroeconomic stability, and international interest continues to expand, especially from EU countries and the broader Mediterranean region."
Ultimately, Lalaj feels that the next few years will be transformative. "The government’s tone appears pragmatic and forward-looking, and with both the EU process and major sectoral reforms underway, we can expect Albania to take significant steps toward greater legal predictability, competitiveness, and integration into the European single market."
