Category: Albania

The Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Business Climate has introduced a draft law for the establishment of the Development Bank of Albania (“DBA”), a specialised public financial institution designed to facilitate financing for small and medium enterprises, start-ups, and underfinanced sectors. The bank is also envisioned as a key player in promoting exports of domestic products and services, as well as supporting public projects and various infrastructure developments.

The DBA will be structured as a joint-stock company headquartered in Tirana, with an initial capital of approximately EUR 100 million. The State will maintain a controlling stake of at least 51% at all times, while the remaining shares can be acquired by international financial institutions, banks, investment funds and other entities determined by subordinate acts. To achieve its objectives, the DBA will be authorised to grant loans, make financial investments, issue securities, and engage in other financial activities. Additionally, it would have the ability to raise funds through various financial mechanisms, including public refundable deposits. Another noteworthy feature of the draft law is the exemption of the DBA from the income tax.

The governance structure will consist of four key decision-making bodies: the General Assembly, the Supervisory and Managing Boards, and an Audit Committee, with specific provisions governing their responsibilities, competencies, and the qualification criteria. Furthermore, the bank’s financial operations will be subject to independent audits conducted in accordance with international auditing standards.

Notably, DBA will be excluded from standard bankruptcy and liquidation procedures and will not be subject to Albania’s general banking regulations. Its dissolution will be governed by a separate legal act, while its cooperation with the Bank of Albania will be governed by a formal agreement, outlining account management, reporting obligations, and data-sharing mechanisms.

The draft law has recently completed the public consultation phase and is expected to be included in the parliament’s legislative agenda in the coming month. 

The information in this document does not constitute legal advice on any particular matter and is provided for general informational purposes only.

By Anisa Rrumbullaku, Partner, and Adi Brovina, Senior Associate, Kranovic & Partners

Albania is aligning with EU regulations through new laws, including a data protection law in 2025 and a new updated electronic communications law, according to Ismailaj & Partners Managing Partner Erinda Ismailaj. With elections on May 11, legislative activity has slowed, creating uncertainties that can lead to a lack of predictability in a business environment.

In the past two months, “several new laws have come into effect in Albania, particularly in December 2024 and January 2025, as part of the country’s ongoing effort to align its legal framework with EU regulations,” Ismailaj points out. “One of the most significant changes is the new data protection law, transposing the GDPR in the Albanian legislation, which was approved in December and officially came into force in January 2025.” She adds that companies are now taking the necessary steps to ensure compliance, “with most provisions set to take effect immediately and some of them, mainly related to privacy by design requirements, are set to take effect in two years to allow businesses enough time to integrate this requirement in their demand processes.”

One major reform introduced by this law, according to Ismailaj, is that “companies providing services in Albania – whether local or foreign – must review their contracts, update policies, assess their activities and their relationships with third parties to ensure compliance with the updated data protection standards.” Additionally, she says, “a notable change is that companies no longer need prior notification to the authority for changes in their processing activities however a privacy impact assessment is now a requirement to be conducted for each activity.” Consequently, Ismailaj highlights that “seeking legal advice is now crucial and not optional, as fines for non-compliance under the new law are significantly higher, aligning with EU GDPR standards.”

“Another key law is the new electronic communications law, that entered into force in late December 2024,” Ismailaj emphasizes. “Companies are actively working to comply with its updated requirements, which include ensuring transparent pricing, clearly defining service terms, and adhering to strict data protection and privacy standards. Additionally, they must invest in infrastructure to enhance service quality and meet cybersecurity obligations.”

In addition to that, “there are two important draft laws that have not yet been enacted,” Ismailaj says. “One concerns intellectual property, aiming to align Albania’s legal framework with EU directives. It introduces stricter procedures for registering trademarks and enhancing trademark protection during administrative procedures. The second draft law still pending is the proposed amendments to the civil procedure code, which aims to enhance the efficiency of the juridical proceedings in Albania.”

Despite a heightened legislative activity, Ismailaj points out, that since Albania is in a pre-election period, “with parliamentary elections set for May 11, legislative activities are slowing down, as no new laws can be passed in the two months leading up to the vote according to the Albanian constitution. This has led to a temporary legislative slowdown, affecting both businesses and regulatory processes.”

“The pre-election period has brought about a certain level of uncertainty, prompting businesses to closely monitor the political landscape, They are paying close attention to whether the ongoing legal framework and proposed reforms will continue to be approved,” Ismailaj adds. “While established companies seem to be adapting well, smaller startups continue to face challenges, particularly in terms of stable infrastructure, funding, securing investors, as well as navigating evolving technology-related laws. The government has introduced policies to support start-ups, but these initiatives are still in their early stages.”

A draft law proposing changes to Law No. 8116, dated March 29, 1996, “The Civil Procedure Code of the Republic of Albania,” has been submitted for approval to the Albanian Assembly. These amendments are part of a comprehensive initiative to enhance the efficiency of the judicial system and improve the overall quality of judicial proceedings in the country.

Key highlights of the proposed changes include:

Additional cases when the Court of Appeal can adjudicate with a single judge

The Court of Appeal will hear cases with a single judge, including appeals against the decisions of the First Instance Court for requests for withdrawal from judgment and waiver of the right to file a lawsuit, as well as requests for withdrawal from the trial or appeal, or special appeals presented to the Court of Appeal, and special appeals against decisions rejecting requests for secondary legal assistance.

Additions to the acts that constitute enforcement titles

The proposed amendments expand the acts that constitute enforcement titles, which include:

1. Agreements upon which spouses give mutual consent for the dissolution of their marriage, confirmed by their lawyers and officially notarized in accordance with the provisions of the Family Code;
2. Enforcement titles issued by public officers or legal entities of public law designated as such by law, or decisions that are legally granted the effect of a ruling;
3. Mediation agreements;
4. In the notarial acts, in addition to the notarial acts related to loans from banks or non-bank financial institutions, including notarial acts that have an enforceable form.

Innovations in the competence to issue the enforcement order

The proposed changes to the Civil Procedure Code clearly define the bodies responsible for issuing enforcement orders to expedite and simplify procedures:

1. The Court that recognizes the decision issues the enforcement order for foreign court decisions and foreign arbitration court rulings, including them in the mandatory part of the decision.
2. The judge in the advisory chamber issues the enforcement order for all other enforcement titles not included in specific categories.
3. The notary issues the enforcement order for notarial acts with an enforceable form and acts related to loans from banks or non-bank financial institutions.
4. Public officers, bodies, or legal entities of public law issue the enforcement order for enforcement titles issued by them, when these are defined by law as such.
5. The Court that issued the decision issues the enforcement order for final civil and criminal decisions, including decisions on obligations, securing claims, provisional enforcement, and property matters.

Another innovation is that no enforcement order will be issued for unpaid tax invoices issued by public or private legal entities to each other when they are issued in accordance with the applicable legislation, accepted by the other party, or not rejected within the statutory deadline. Additionally, no enforcement order will be issued for unpaid tax invoices issued to consumers by public or private legal entities. These invoices will be enforced directly by the enforcement service, after notifying the enforcement title.

Introduction of a solemn formula

As part of the proposed changes to the Civil Procedure Code, the legislator has introduced a solemn formula that will be used for issuing the enforcement order, which is included in the new article 511/1:

“For other enforcement titles, the enforcement order is issued by placing the following statement in an original or certified copy of the enforcement title:

‘IN THE NAME OF THE REPUBLIC’

“We order all judicial bailiffs who will be requested, as well as anyone who is legally required to enforce this enforcement title, to provide assistance, and all public order officers to assist when legally requested.

Subsequently, the name, surname, and signature of the person authorized to issue the enforcement title are placed, as well as the seal of the institution or public legal entity that issued it.”

Requests for issuing a duplicate Enforcement Order, according to this draft law, will be reviewed in the advisory chamber.

In conclusion, the transitional provisions proposed in the draft law amending the Civil Procedure Code establish specific rules for handling civil matters in progress at the time the changes take effect. In particular:

• Cases currently under review by a panel of three judges, which under the new law could be adjudicated by a single judge, will continue to be handled by the same judicial panel.
• Cases awaiting review in the Court of Appeal that have not yet been heard, and for which the new law mandates adjudication by a single judge, will be handled according to the new provisions.
• Cases in process at the First Instance Court on the date the changes come into force will continue to be adjudicated under the provisions of the law in effect at the time the lawsuit was filed.

These provisions aim to ensure a smooth transition from the previous rules to the implementation of the new provisions, avoiding interruptions and uncertainties in existing judicial processes.

By Bora Bregu, Legal Associate, Lalaj & Partners

The long-anticipated initiative to establish a new legal framework for personal data protection in Albania is finally moving forward, as the Council of Ministers has approved a draft law that aligns closely with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This proposed legislation promises to bring significance in this important but frequently underappreciated legal domain. With its comprehensive approach and alignment with EU standards, the new law aims to greatly improve privacy protection in the national context.

Broadening the Scope and Applicability

A defining characteristic of the draft law is its expanded and clarified scope compared to the current legislation. Under the current law, data protection rules apply to Albanian controllers and foreign ones using undefined “means” within Albania’s territory, leaving foreign controllers uncertain as to whether they must comply with Albanian regulations.

The draft law eliminates this confusion by broadening the scope of applicability to foreign controllers situated outside Albania if their processing activities relate to offering goods or services to or monitoring the behaviour of data subjects within Albania.

The reframing of the scope addresses a long-standing ambiguity regarding the applicability of the national legislation to certain foreign controllers, aligning with GDPR’s extraterritorial reach.

Strengthened Definitions and Consent Requirements

The draft law enshrines a refined set of definitions that echo key GDPR concepts but most distinctively introduces essential terms such as “pseudonymization,” “profiling,” and “data minimization,” all of which are absent in the current Albanian law. Furthermore, it delineates between subcategories of personal and sensitive data by including definitions for biometric, genetic, criminal, and health data, enabling a better understanding of the data that comprise each category and mitigating any implementation difficulties.

The draft law also sets forth more stringent requirements around data subject consent. While a written form is not necessarily required, controllers have the burden of proof to demonstrate that the consent was freely given, duly informed, unambiguous, given particularly for data processing and separated from other consents or agreements; for example, consent to process data for account registration cannot simultaneously serve as consent for marketing activities, ensuring transparency and genuine choice for data subjects.

Local Representatives Instead of Prior Notifications

Under the current law, all data controllers—both Albanian and foreign—are required to file a notification with Albania’s Data Protection Commissioner (the “Commissioner”) before commencing data processing activities. Such notification should contain a summary of the planned processing activities. However, the draft law removes this general notification requirement. Instead, it introduces a new obligation specifically for foreign controllers: they must appoint a local representative in Albania. This representative should be registered with the Commissioner and will serve as the point of contact for both the Commissioner and Albanian data subjects, ensuring greater accountability and local accessibility for foreign entities engaging with Albanian data subjects.

Data Protection Officer (DPO): Ensuring Compliance and Independence

Under the new law, certain entities must appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) to oversee compliance, act as a liaison with the Commissioner, and address data protection concerns raised by data subjects. This requirement applies to (i) public authorities, (ii) entities engaged in large-scale monitoring of data subjects, or (iii) those processing sensitive data such as health records or criminal information. DPOs are granted full operational independence, reporting directly to top management and protected from dismissal or penalties related to their duties. This role serves as an important check on data processing activities, fostering trust and accountability in data handling practices.

Expanded Data Subject Rights

The proposed legislation also expands the range of rights afforded to data subjects, granting them more control over their personal data. While the core rights of access, rectification, and erasure remain intact, the draft law envisages additional rights, most notably the right to data portability and the right to be forgotten. The latter enables data subjects to request the deletion of personal data under specific conditions, strengthening privacy in a digital era where data traces are often permanent, and their usage is not rarely abusive. Meanwhile, the right to data portability, applicable when data processing is automated and based on consent or contracts, grants data subjects the ability to easily receive and transfer their data across controllers and platforms. 

Responsibilities of Controllers and Processors

Another key component of the new law is the shift from modest requirements governing controller-processor relationships to a framework with significantly strengthened obligations. In this context, a material novelty are the provisions regulating the relationships between multiple controllers, which are set to resolve past challenges associated with assigning responsibility among entities that jointly determine the purposes and means of processing. Should the draft law be enacted, these entities will be required to formalize their cooperation through agreements that clearly delineate their respective obligations, with the main provisions of these agreements made accessible to data subjects.

Incorporating the Privacy by Design and by Default Principles

Similar to GDPR, the draft law also introduces the principles of Data Protection by Design and Data Protection by Default, which require controllers to integrate data protection measures into every stage of their operations.

Data Protection by Design dictates that controllers implement and maintain appropriate safeguards from the outset, such as pseudonymisation (masking identifiable information) and data minimisation (restricting data collection to only what is strictly necessary). For example, if a mobile app collects location data, it may only store general location information instead of precise coordinates, thereby reducing the sensitivity of the stored data and minimising exposure risks. Complementarily, Data Protection by Default requires that, by default, only essential data processing is conducted. This means users’ privacy settings should start at the highest level of protection. For instance, a social media platform might initially hide profile details from public view and only display them with the user’s explicit consent, thus ensuring that personal information remains protected unless the user decides otherwise.

Personal Data Breach obligations

Controllers must document all data breaches and notify the Commissioner of those likely to impact data subjects, within 72 hours of detection. In addition, data processors will have to notify the controllers of the breach without undue delay. If a breach poses high risks to data subjects’ rights or freedoms, the controller must promptly inform the affected parties, unless appropriate protective measures, such as encryption or additional safeguards, have been implemented to reduce the risk. In cases where individual notifications would impose an excessive burden, the controller may opt for a public announcement or similar measure to notify data subjects.

Supervision and Penalties

The Commissioner’s role as a supervisory authority is solidified, with an extended renewable seven-year term to ensure continuity. However, the qualifications required for this role seem exceptionally high—arguably to an excessive degree—potentially limiting the pool of eligible applicants and risking unnecessary barriers to entry for otherwise capable candidates.

Severe financial penalties are prescribed for significant data breaches, with fines for non-compliance potentially reaching up to 1 billion ALL (approximately EUR 10.2 million) or, for corporate entities, up to 2% of global annual turnover. For particularly egregious violations, such as unauthorised international data transfers or breaches of fundamental data processing principles, penalties can double, reaching 2 billion ALL (approximately EUR 20.4 million) or up to 4% of global annual turnover, whichever is higher. To understand the scale of these punishments, it would be sufficient to recall that currently, the highest fine is just a fraction of the above, specifically 2 million ALL (approximately EUR 20,000). Moreover, data subjects harmed by data misuse—whether financially or otherwise—are entitled to seek compensation from responsible controllers or processors.

As noble as the commitment to raise awareness and promote accountability in the field of data protection is, it would hardly be an overstatement to claim that the severity of penalties lacks a sense of proportionality, particularly for smaller businesses in Albania, where such amount of fines could lead to gross financial hardship.

What’s to Come?

As of the present moment, the draft law has received approval from the Council of Ministers and is set to proceed through the formal legislative process. Given its status, it remains uncertain when the law will be fully enacted, or whether it will endure additional modifications or amendments to its provisions. However, what is certain is that if passed, it will have a lasting effect on Albania’s legal landscape.

The information in this document does not constitute legal advice on any particular matter and is provided for general informational purposes only.

By Anisa Rrumbullaku, Partner, and Sirius Tartari, Associate, Karanovic & Partners

New Joint Instruction No. 196/2024, “On cooperation between the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation, and the State Intelligence Service regarding the issuance of residence permits for foreigners” (the “Instruction”), came into effect on 22 October 2024. This Instruction, aimed at clarifying and improving coordination among public institutions, does not amend existing residence or unique permit (i.e., a residence permit issued for employment purposes that combines both the residence and work permit) procedures for foreign nationals. Instead, it reaffirms the established process, ensuring that it remains consistent while improving transparency and efficiency.

No Change to the Core Process

It’s essential to emphasize that the Instruction does not introduce new procedural steps or requirements for foreign nationals applying for residence or unique permits in Albania. The fundamental process, as set out in Albania’s Law on Foreigners and related legal frameworks, remains unchanged. Rather than creating new obligations, the Instruction enhances inter-institutional coordination, making it easier for applicants to navigate the system through streamlined steps and consolidated resources.

Simplified Submission through e-Albania Portal

The Instruction provides clear guidance on the unique permit application process, which has been already implemented in practice by the relevant authorities but is now officially clarified. The process involves three main steps: (i) approval of the employment declaration by the National Agency for Employment and Skills (AKPA); (ii) issuance of a type “D” visa (if required by the applicant’s nationality); and (iii) issuance of the unique permit by the Border and Migration Authority (Migration Authority). All these steps are now confirmed to be consolidated into a single online submission through the e-Albania portal, allowing applicants to submit all necessary documentation at once. This simplified approach ensures that employment verification by AKPA, visa issuance by the designated embassy (when required), and unique permit issuance by the Migration Authority are handled in a unified process, improving the accessibility for the applicants.

Clarifications on Criminal Record Submissions

The Instruction introduces a specific clarification regarding criminal record requirements for residence permit applications. Under the updated Law on Foreigners, a criminal record certificate is required only for applicants obtaining residence permits as digital nomads or retirees. However, under the Instruction, if an applicant discloses a prior conviction when completing the application request, they must now provide a criminal record certificate directly to the Migration Authority. Following submission, the Migration Authority consults with law enforcement authorities to decide whether to approve or refuse the residence or unique permit application.

Consideration of Late Submissions

The Instruction also provides guidance on handling applications submitted after the legally mandated timeframe, provided the foreign national’s stay in Albania remains lawful. In these cases, the Migration Authority has the discretion to consider the reason for the delay on a case-by-case basis and decide whether to accept the application and potentially impose fines where applicable. This flexibility does not alter the submission deadlines but instead provides clarity on how late applications will be evaluated under the existing legal framework.

Improved Inter-Institutional Coordination

Ultimately, this Instruction enhances Albania’s migration framework by clarifying the role of each public institution in the residence and unique permit processes, facilitating better cooperation and a more predictable experience for applicants. By reinforcing coordination without changing the procedural steps, the Instruction aims to make Albania’s residence permit system more transparent and accessible for foreign nationals.

The information in this document does not constitute legal advice on any particular matter and is provided for general informational purposes only.

By Sirius Tartari and Ermal Mema, Associates, Karanovic & Partners

CMS Partner Evis Zaja reports rapid legal and economic developments in Albania, including upcoming amendments in the competition sector, new cybersecurity laws, and the country’s increasing appeal to international businesses.

Focusing first on the amendments in the competition sector, Zaja says that she is “expecting the adoption of some important draft amendments in the competition sector very soon. Over the last two years, Albania’s Competition Authority has become increasingly active, moving closer to the standards of the EU authorities.” Moreover, she reports that there have recently been “more unannounced market investigations (dawn raids) targeting sectors where prices have been rising without clear justification. Local companies are starting to realize the importance of being prepared for these unannounced market investigations because there have been cases when the businesses have been penalized due to non-collaboration.” 

Furthermore, Zaja reports that “many businesses now have to provide training for their staff on how to respond to these market investigations – knowing what information to provide and how to avoid giving too much evidence. This is a good development in the market, as it is helping Albanian businesses become more compliant and informed.” 

 Additionally, she reports there are proposed changes to the antitrust law, “which align Albania’s legislation with EU directives, particularly concerning bid-rigging in public tenders. In Albania, where public tenders are common, it’s crucial to detect collusive behaviors like cover bidding, bid suppression, and market allocation.” Zaja says that the new draft law “will give the Competition Authority additional powers to detect and prevent these types of behavior in the market. Furthermore, the statute of limitations is being updated, introducing a five-year limit, similar to the EU directive, and establishing an absolute statute of limitation, meaning that once this time period has elapsed, no action can be taken by the authority.”

Aside from this, Zaja also reports developments in cybersecurity laws. “The new cybersecurity law, approved in April, will have a broad impact on almost all sectors in Albania, including energy, banking, tourism, transportation, and any business involved in cloud computing or digital services,” she says. The law gives businesses a two-year transition period to prepare and implement policies to protect themselves from cyberattacks and mitigate risks. “As cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important, businesses will need to safeguard their data, technology, and intellectual property from unauthorized attacks,” Zaja adds. “Cybersecurity is essential to protect the know-how and innovations businesses rely on, and the law ensures that companies are equipped to handle these challenges in the digital age.”

Finally, Zaja takes a step back to assess the overall status of the market. “The Albanian economy is developing rapidly, and businesses are facing challenges as they work to digitize and modernize their operations, but they are making progress. Sectors like energy and gas are seeing strategic development, and intellectual property is gaining more attention as companies understand the importance of registering intangible assets to increase the value of their businesses,” she explains. Moreover, she posits that “cloud computing, digital markets, and media are growing quickly, and Albania is becoming an attractive destination for international companies, not only in tourism but also in various industries looking to tap into the Albanian market. We are seeing more interest from international companies, particularly because Albanians have a strong reputation for being hard workers.”

Under Albanian law, employment intermediary activities are carried out by two types of agencies. The first type consists of “Recruitment Agencies,” which facilitate the hiring of individuals to work for a third party. The second type includes “Temporary Employment Agencies” (TEAs), which recruit and hire individuals for temporary assignments with host companies while keeping them on the agency’s payroll.

While the activities of TEAs are regulated by the Albanian Labour Code and DCM No. 286, dated 21.5.2018, the regulation of Recruitment Agencies has been less comprehensive. Recruitment Agencies have primarily been subject to licensing requirements under DCM No. 538 dated 26.05.2009, under licensing subcategory X.2.A, which also applies to TEAs.

To address this regulatory gap, the Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation (Ministry) recently issued Instruction No. 757, dated 30.09.2024, titled “On the Procedures for Reviewing, Evaluating, and Approving Licensing Applications of Entities Engaged in Employment Intermediary Activities and Their Oversight” (Instruction). This bylaw establishes clear requirements and procedures for licensing private entities operating as Recruitment Agencies and introduces oversight mechanisms for these entities post-licensing.

Under the Instruction, the application process is conducted through the National Business Centre (NBC) and reviewed by the relevant Directorate within the Ministry. Once all required documents are submitted, an on-site inspection is conducted to verify compliance with licensing criteria. Upon approval by the Minister, the NBC issues the license.

Recruitment Agencies are now required to undergo annual inspections and submit activity reports every six months, detailing data on the number of intermediated individuals, the commercial entities they work with, and the number of individuals hired. These reforms aim to align employment intermediary practices with international standards and foster a well-regulated labour market in Albania.

The adoption of the Instruction follows earlier amendments, made on 01.08.2024, to DCM No. 538 dated 26.05.2009, which introduced additional requirements for obtaining an employment intermediary license under subcategory X.2.A, applicable to both Recruitment Agencies and TEAs. The revised regulations now require a comprehensive list of documents, including a diploma, proof of at least five years of relevant work experience, and appropriate qualifications in human resources for the agency’s Technical Director.

Additional required documentation includes proof of property use for at least one year, facility layouts and designs, health and hygiene approval from the State Health Inspectorate, a self-declaration of compliance with service standards, a description of the agency’s activities, and proof of insurance compliance, among other requirements.

These additional requirements apply not only to new agencies but also to those licensed under previous regulations, which must update their documentation to comply with the new standards or face potential revocation of their licenses.

The information in this document does not constitute legal advice on any particular matter and is provided for general informational purposes only.

By Anisa Rrumbullaku, Partner, and Oltion Myftari, Senior Associate, Karanovic & Partners

Hoxha, Memi & Hoxha has promoted Selena Ymeri, Ilir Johollari, and Dorant Ekmekciu to Partner.

Ymeri has been with Hoxha, Memi & Hoxha since 2009 when she joined as an Associate. According to the firm, her practice focuses on banking, insurance, and financing matters as well as competition law and commercial contracts.

Johollari joined the firm in 2008 as an Associate. His practice focuses on energy, tax, commercial, and corporate matters.

Ekmekciu joined Hoxha, Memi & Hoxha in 2010 as an Associate. Before that, he worked for Hakani & Associates between 2003 and 2010. His practice focuses on contract law, real estate, and employment and also includes disputes and litigation.

“Their hard work and commitment to excellence have been instrumental in our success, and we look forward to their continued contributions as we embark on new challenges and opportunities,” stated Hoxha, Memi & Hoxha. “Please join us in congratulating our new Partners! We are proud to have them as part of our leadership team.”

Former Deloitte Legal Albania and Kosovo Local Legal Partner Sabina Lalaj has established her eponymous firm Lalaj & Partners in Tirana.

Lalaj has been with Deloitte since 2015 when she joined as a Senior Legal Manager. In 2017, she took on the role of Senior Managing Associate within Deloitte Legal and made Partner in 2019 (as reported by CEE Legal Matters on July 16, 2019). Before that, Lalaj was a Senior Associate with Boga & Associates between 2008 and 2015. Earlier still, she worked as a Lawyer of the Procurement Sector for Bank of Albania between 2003 and 2008 and as a Lawyer with Bank Assets Resolution Trust between 2002 and 2003.

Joined by three other lawyers, the newly-established Lalaj & Partners is a full-service firm with Lalaj reporting a focus on commercial, energy, real estate, life sciences, IP, and data protection matters. 

A recent Buzz Interview with Lalaj is available here.

The Parliament of Albania has recently passed amendments to the Albanian Labour Code (“Code“), specifically regarding employee annual paid vacation entitlements.

While the Code previously provided that employees were entitled to no less than four calendar weeks of paid vacation for one year of work, the amendment now clarifies that employees are entitled to no less than 22 working days of paid vacation per year. In addition, the amendment removes the limitation that vacation may be taken only in full weeks, allowing employees to take partial vacations. These changes aim to provide greater clarity and precision in the application of annual vacations for employees.

The amendment will come into force 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

The information in this document does not constitute legal advice on any matter and is provided for general informational purposes only.

By Anisa Rrumbullaku, Partner, and Oltion Myftari, Senior Associate, Karanovic & Partners