FLASH
Shkruar nga PamfletiSuch an exodus of Italian pensioners would not be good news for Albania. Currently, Italian pensions entering Albania amount to over 136 million euros per year (including 13 annual installments). This money is spent mainly on buying or renting apartments, in Albanian supermarkets and restaurants, as well as on cars, telephones and various goods.
There is concern, anxiety and fear among the 3,000 Italians who have moved to Albania because their pensions are not taxed here.
So far, zero taxes.
For several weeks, many of our Italian pensioners have felt the risk of a "fiscal blow" on their pensions. On January 23, the AlbanItaly portal, run by former RAI journalist Giuseppe Mazzei, reported on this issue.
A large group of Italian pensioners, with regular residence in Albania, has even sent an open letter to Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has good relations with Giorgia Meloni, clearly indicating the fiscal burden they fear may be placed on them.
According to them, pensioners may soon be forced to pay the basic business tax, which is 15% of income. To formalize themselves with taxes, they will also have to fill out the local income declaration, ironically called "Diva".
Residence permit
The fear has been spread by a legal change. In Albania, the 2019 fiscal law clearly exempted from taxes European Union citizens (including Italians) who had a residence permit. These people benefited and still benefit from this exemption, provided that they stay at least 183 days a year in Albania and have transferred their activities there, even if they are non-profit.
The new fiscal law, which came into force in January 2024, has repealed this provision. Now, only income protected by international agreements ratified by the Albanian Parliament is “tax-exempt”.
The old law offered strong protection for Italian pensioners. The new law, even without directly imposing the 15% tax, offers weaker protection. However, during 2025, the Albanian tax administration has not requested a single euro from Italian pensioners. However, in recent weeks, fear has taken over the situation.
For this reason, many Italian pensioners have started to turn to the CAFs and the Tax Directorate in search of clarifications, but without receiving clear answers. The information remains inaccurate, unclear and often contradictory.
Average pension
Thanks to the tax exemption, 3,000 Italian pensioners receive an average pension of 3,500 euros per month. Some receive much more, others less, but it is the latter who fear the 15% tax that could come the most.
Informal surveys among compatriots show that if Albania imposes a 15% tax, many of them would seek to relocate to other, more fiscally friendly countries, such as Slovakia, Hungary, and Croatia.
Such an exodus of Italian pensioners would not be good news for Albania. Currently, Italian pensions entering Albania amount to over 136 million euros per year (including 13 annual installments). This money is spent mainly on buying or renting apartments, in Albanian supermarkets and restaurants, as well as on cars, telephones and various goods. / Adapted from La Repubblica
Un vero pensionato prende dalle 800 euro massimo 1500. Scovare i veri pensionati dai falsi pensionati che sono qui per mettere ordine i le loro finanze, per poi sfruttare il ritorno in italia con una detassazione di tre o cinque anni. Ma gli imprenditori onesti perché non sono venuti qui appena è caduto il regime?
HAHAHAHAHHA. shtetasit shqipetare qe jetojne ne Italy nuk paguajne taksa ????
dividendi o interessi. Da dove nascono gli allarmismi? Le preoccupazioni degli ultimi giorni derivano principalmente da: interpretazioni errate della nuova legge; confusione tra controlli sulla residenza e nuove imposte; comunicazioni incomplete o non ufficiali; casi isolati di soggetti formalmente residenti ma non realmente presenti in Albania. ???? I controlli non colpiscono i pensionati regolari, ma chi: non vive realmente in Albania; non può dimostrare la presenza effettiva; utilizza la residenza solo “sulla carta”. Il ruolo del Certificato di Residenza Fiscale Il Certificato di Residenza Fiscale: viene rilasciato annualmente; attesta che il soggetto è residente fiscale in Albania; è riconosciuto dalle Autorità estere (Italia compresa); è il principale strumento di tutela del pensionato. ???? Nei casi recenti verificati, l’Amministrazione fiscale albanese ha confermato la validità del regime, rilasciando regolarmente i certificati per il 2025. Conclusione: situazione stabile e sotto controllo ✔ Nessuna nuova tassa sulle pensioni ✔ Nessuna modifica sfavorevole per i pensionati residenti ✔ Quadro normativo chiaro e applicato ✔ Convenzioni internazionali pienamente operative L’Albania continua a essere uno dei Paesi più favorevoli in Europa per i pensionati, purché la residenza sia reale, documentata e correttamente gestita.