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Italy-Albania Bilateral Agreement: New Rules on International Pensions

The Italy–Albania social security agreement, effective July 1, 2025, allows workers and pensioners to combine contributions from both countries to access international pensions.

On July 1, 2025, the bilateral agreement between Italy and Albania on social security officially came into force, aimed at expanding protections for workers and pensioners who have contributed periods in both countries. The agreement, signed in Rome on February 6, 2024, and ratified by the respective national authorities, introduces significant changes in the field of international pensions and contribution totalization.

Objectives of the Agreement

The treaty, which entered into force along with the implementing administrative agreement, aims to coordinate the social security legislation of Italy and Albania to ensure the portability of social security rights and the principle of equal treatment for Italian and Albanian citizens and their family members.

One key point is the totalization of contribution periods. Workers who previously did not meet the minimum requirements to access a pension in either country can now combine contributions from Italy and Albania to qualify for a pension benefit.

International Pensions: What Changes

Thanks to the agreement, those who have contributed in both countries can submit a pension application under the international totalization system. This applies both to residents in Italy and in Albania: the former must submit applications online through INPS, while the latter can contact the Albanian social security institution (ISSH), which will forward the applications to Italy.

The new rules also protect specific cases such as the totalization of contribution periods and the portability of pension benefits according to the national regulations of the two states.

In addition to pensions, the agreement also covers other areas of social security, such as unemployment, sickness, and maternity benefits, with the aim of providing more comprehensive coverage of transnational social rights.

Implementation and Operational Procedures

Through INPS Circular No. 106 of July 1, 2025 and Notice No. 2211 of July 10, 2025, the competent administrations defined the operational procedures for submitting applications and managing pension requests. This also includes the adoption of tools for data exchange between INPS and ISSH, aimed at streamlining processes and reducing disbursement times.

The bilateral social security agreement between Italy and Albania represents an important step in pension cooperation between the two countries. For migrant workers and pensioners who built their careers across Italy and Albania, it opens a new pathway to access previously fragmented pension rights. With the implementation of operational rules by INPS and ISSH, contribution totalization and application submission become concrete tools to ensure the full application of the agreement.

Regulatory Framework

Authority	Source	Number	Article	Type	Date	Link
INPS	INPS Circular No. 106/2025	106	/	Practice	01/07/2025	Read more
INPS	INPS Notice No. 2211/2025	2211	/	Practice	10/07/2025	Read more

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International pensions in Italy

Studio A&P, in collaboration with external partners, provides consulting services on the totalisation of social security contributions and, in particular, on the period from which the right to a pension in Italy is accrued and the calculation of the amount of Italian pension, also taking into account contributions paid abroad.

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Please consider that the right to the pension is confirmed only when the abovementioned data correspond to the contribution records of Social Security institutions.

Quotation for data verification in the Italian contribution registry.
- 1. Access to the Social Security in Italy data and provide an answer on the Italian pension entitlement and its amount
- 2.As an alternative to point 1, the value of voluntary contributions to be made to acquire the right to a pension and quantify the hypothetical monthly income.
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