The entry of more than 10 million foreigners into Albania during 2023 has already been “certified” by the official figures of the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT).

In December alone, over 616,000 foreigners entered the country, marking a 57.6% increase compared to the same month last year.

The main entries were from European countries, where some of the tourists, due to the holidays, were mainly immigrants returning to their home countries to be with family and relatives.

“The number of foreign nationals entering Albania during 2023 is 10,155,640, increasing by 34.6% compared to 2022. The number of Albanian citizens leaving Albania in 2023 is 6,913,347, increasing by 17.5% compared to the previous year.

Entries of Albanian and foreign citizens into Albanian territory in December 2023 were 1,362,511. This figure represents an increase of 41.1% compared to December 2022. Departures of Albanian and foreign citizens from the territory of Albania in December 2023 were 1,152,429, marking an increase of 7.7% compared to the same period a year ago.

In December 2023, the number of Albanian citizens entering Albanian territory is 745,517. This number increased by 29.9% compared to December 2022. The number of foreign citizens entering Albanian territory is 616,994. This number increased by 57.6% compared to December 2022,” according to the publication by INSTAT.

Referring to the figures in December 2023, the region with the highest number of entries of foreign citizens into Albania is the European region with 571,348 citizens, followed by America and East Asia/Pacific with 9,845 and 2,617 citizens, respectively.

As for the reasons, entries of foreign citizens note: increase for personal purposes by 58.4%; increase for vacation purposes, visiting relatives, etc. by 65.1%; increase for business and professional purposes by 20.4%.

Departures of citizens

While the number of foreigners entering the country at the end of the year has been increasing, it seems that Albanian citizens have traveled less abroad.

“Departures of Albanian citizens from the territory of Albania in December 2023 were 602,346. Compared to December 2022, this figure has decreased by 5.1%. Departures of foreign citizens from the territory of Albania in December 2023 were 550,083.

Compared to December 2022, this figure increased by 26.3%. The number of Albanian citizens leaving the territory of Albania during 2023 is 6,913,347, increasing by 17.5% compared to the same period a year ago,” the INSTAT publication states.