Albania signs a bilateral agreement on social security with Serbia, promoted as a major achievement — yet it may benefit fewer people than the fingers on one hand.
The Albanian government has officially approved a pension agreement with Serbia, claiming it as a step forward for citizens who have worked in both countries. The Council of Ministers announced the decision with the usual enthusiasm reserved for “historic” progress, but a closer look raises doubts about how many Albanians will actually benefit from this deal.
What Does the Agreement Say?
Based on Article 100 of the Constitution and Article 10 of Law No. 43/2016 “On International Agreements in the Republic of Albania,” the government approved, in principle, a bilateral social security agreement with Serbia. The text of the agreement is attached to the decision and enters into force immediately.
“This decision enters into force immediately,” stated the official announcement, implying it’s a meaningful step toward protecting workers’ rights across borders.
A Treaty For Statistics?
In practical terms, this agreement has little real impact. Very few Albanians have ever worked legally and with full insurance in Serbia — especially in recent decades. After the fall of Yugoslavia and rising tensions in the 1990s, legal labor migration from Albania to Serbia was nearly nonexistent.
A conservative estimate suggests that the number of eligible beneficiaries could be counted on one hand.
What’s Being Hidden?
- The government has not published any estimate of how many Albanians qualify.
- There is no public transparency on the financial obligations Albania may undertake in this deal.
- It’s unclear whether Albanians who worked informally during the Yugoslav era will be covered.
Who benefits from the pension agreement with Serbia?
Only Albanian citizens who worked legally and paid social security contributions in Serbia — a very limited group.
How many people are we talking about?
Estimates suggest less than 50 people could qualify, making the deal largely symbolic.
Does this help recent Albanian emigrants?
Not at all. There is very little legal or documented Albanian labor presence in Serbia in the past two decades.
Why is the government promoting it so heavily?
To score political points and showcase “regional cooperation,” especially in light of EU integration pressures.
The pension agreement with Serbia appears to be more of a PR stunt than a real policy win. While touted as historic progress, it lacks substance and will likely affect only a tiny fraction of Albanians — if any. Meanwhile, millions of pensioners inside Albania continue to suffer from low benefits, rising costs, and no meaningful social reforms.
So the question remains: When will the Albanian government sign an agreement with reality — for its own citizens?