According to La Repubblica, there is concern, anxiety, and fear among the roughly 3,000 Italian pensioners living in Albania over the possibility of a tax being imposed on their pensions, which until now have not been taxed. For several weeks, many of them have felt the risk of a “fiscal blow.” On January 23, the AlbanItaly portal, run by former RAI journalist Giuseppe Mazzei, reported on the situation.

A large group of pensioners has sent an open letter to Prime Minister Edi Rama, expressing concern about the potential tax burden. According to them, they could be required to pay the standard business tax of 15% on their income and to file the local income declaration known as “Diva.”

The concern arose following changes to the tax law in January 2024. The 2019 law exempted EU citizens with residence permits in Albania, including Italians, from taxation. The new law limits exemptions only to income protected by international agreements, offering weaker protection. However, during 2025 the tax administration has not demanded payments from Italian pensioners, though fear and uncertainty have grown.

Italian pensioners receive an average of €3,500 per month, and many have begun turning to CAF offices and the Tax Directorate for clarification, but the information remains unclear and contradictory. Surveys show that a 15% tax could push them to relocate to more tax-friendly countries such as Slovakia, Hungary, and Croatia.

Such a departure would have an economic impact on Albania, as Italian pensions flowing into the country amount to over €136 million per year, spent mainly on local consumption, rent, supermarkets, restaurants, and various goods.