The government is channeling through e-Albania the process of reporting damage for small businesses affected during the recent protests in Tirana. According to an announcement by Prime Minister Edi Rama, the “My Damage” window has been opened, while 10 Tax Directorate teams will go into the field for verifications.
How the “My Damage” window will work
According to the version made public by Rama on social media, small businesses claiming damage must register on e-Albania by filling in identification data, their NIPT, contact details, the area of activity, as well as information on insurance, whether they have it or not.
The platform also requires an estimate of the damage caused, as well as the upload of supporting documents, including images and invoices. Then, according to the prime minister, the files will go through verification before any step toward compensation is taken.
10 Tax Directorate teams in the field
Alongside the online application, the government has announced that it has assigned 10 verification teams from the Tax Directorate to collect data in the field on damage to small businesses, mainly in the capital.
Rama said that, in addition to the documents submitted by the entities, their relationship with the state will also be examined in terms of payment of obligations. This element makes the process not only administrative, but also conditional on the filters set by the tax administration itself.
Compensation remains in the verification stage
The government has promised support for all small businesses found to have been damaged, but so far it has not presented an official balance sheet for the total value of the damage, concrete review deadlines, or the way compensation will be calculated.
In his statement, Rama used strong political language, speaking of a “wave of violence” and legal responsibility for those behind the destruction. However, for businesses waiting for real money and not statements, the main issue remains how quickly and according to what criteria compensation will be disbursed.
The political message on the protests
In the same appearance, the prime minister tried to separate the right to protest from acts of violence, declaring that students and citizens should be heard with respect, while those responsible for the damage will face the law.
The statement was also accompanied by broader political messages on order, justice and the government’s agenda. But the day’s practical announcement remains this: damaged small businesses must apply through “My Damage,” while the tax administration will carry out field verifications.
The mechanism has been announced, but the real test will be implementation: the transparency of the criteria, the speed of verification, and whether compensation will reach the entities that have genuinely suffered damage without additional bureaucracy.