Αn expert-level meeting was held at the Greek Ministry of Immigration and Asylum to examine the issues and challenges faced by Albanian citizens in Greece.

Ambassador Mrs. Luela Hajdaraga, together with Albanian legal experts in Greece specializing in Immigration Law, met with the Secretary General Mr. Patroklos Georgiadis and legal experts of the Ministry.

The discussion focused on various issues faced by Albanian citizens in Greece, such as delays in the renewal of residence permits, restrictions on movement within the Schengen area, problems with the renewal of health insurance and social benefits and problems with the application platform.

The Albanian side also presented several proposals on these issues, including proposals for amendments to the new Migration Code, which entered into force on 1 April 2024. The issues concerned residence permits for elderly Albanian nationals, the creation of special services for this age group, the full digitalisation of the application process, the extension of the validity of residence permits and the reduction of application costs for various categories of permits.

Secretary General Georgiades responded positively to the points raised by Ambassador Hajdaraga and the Albanian experts, stating that some of these issues will be reflected in the new migration bill.

Both parties agreed that the most urgent issues that require resolution are those concerning elderly Albanian nationals approaching retirement.