Albanian nationality law

Albanian citizenship is based on a mixture of the principles of Jus sanguinis and Jus soli. In other words, both place of birth and Albanian parentage are relevant for determining whether a person is an Albanian citizen. It is regulated by the "Law on Albanian Citizenship". In some circumstances citizenship is granted to children born in Albania to non-Albanian parents. This is not the case where parents are temporary or short-term visitors. As suggested by the UN and Council of Europe, all efforts are made in order to avoid statelessness.

A person born in Albania to non-Albanian parents is an Albanian citizen if that person:

Effectively this means that:

Furthermore, if parents of a foundling become identified, citizenship right remains, unless parents request otherwise before the 14th birthday.

Access to Albanian citizenship by birth is automatic if:

One Albanian parent is sufficient condition for the right to immediate citizenship, upon request, regardless of birthplace.

A person may be naturalised as an Albanian citizen if he fulfills the following criteria:

This period can be reduced to:

If Albania has an economic, cultural or scientific interest, an adult as foreigner can be granted immediate citizenship, provided (s)he does not pose any public threat. The only requirement for stateless applicants is the five-year residence requirement and not posing a threat to the Republic of Albania. Unemancipated minors obtain Albanian citizenship automatically at the same time a parent is naturalised. For minors above 14 years of age, their consent is required.

Children adopted by Albanian citizens acquire Albanian citizenship. If only one of the foster parents is Albanian, both parents must agree. This is not necessary if the residence of the child will be in Albania, or the other parent is stateless.

It is possible to lose Albanian citizenship in the following circumstances

An Albanian citizen aged 18 and over may renounce Albanian citizenship, provided:

If both parents renounce Albanian citizenship and request the same for their child. Children under the age of 18 also lose Albanian citizenship if adopted by a foreigners, and the child acquires another nationality upon adoption.

Albanian citizenship can be withdrawn if a person has acquired it submitting intentionally false documentation. Albanian citizenship is also withdrawn to children aged less than 18, of said parents, provided they do not remain stateless.

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Wikipedia