Responding to questions in Brussels on 27 February, a European Commission spokesperson stated that the bilateral protocol allowing Italy to transfer certain rescued migrants to processing centres in Albania "is consistent with EU rules". The Commission added that it is monitoring implementation in close contact with Italian authorities.(ansa.it)
Signed in late 2025, the Italy-Albania agreement permits Rome to relocate up to 3,000 asylum seekers per year to two facilities near Shëngjin and Gjadër while their claims are assessed under Italian jurisdiction. Critics—including NGOs and some MEPs—argue the arrangement skirts Italy’s obligations to host applicants on its own territory, but the Commission’s statement provides political cover for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s migration strategy.(ansa.it)
![EU Says Italy–Albania Migrant Transfer Protocol Complies with European Law]()
Individuals and businesses navigating Italy’s complex visa framework can streamline their applications through VisaHQ, which offers real-time requirement checks, document preparation assistance, and secure submission services for everything from short-stay Schengen visas to long-term work permits. For the latest guidance tailored to Italian entry categories, visit https://www.visahq.com/italy/
For employers seconding non-EU talent to Italy, the ruling reduces the likelihood of abrupt policy reversals that could clog Italy’s reception system and indirectly delay residence-permit processing. However, mobility teams should continue to monitor litigation: human-rights groups have hinted at future challenges before the European Court of Justice if conditions in Albanian centres deteriorate.(ansa.it)
Practically, the protocol has no impact on standard work or intra-company transfer permits, but it underscores Italy’s broader shift toward externalised border management—a trend that could resurface in future legislation affecting business immigration quotas.(ansa.it)
Signed in late 2025, the Italy-Albania agreement permits Rome to relocate up to 3,000 asylum seekers per year to two facilities near Shëngjin and Gjadër while their claims are assessed under Italian jurisdiction. Critics—including NGOs and some MEPs—argue the arrangement skirts Italy’s obligations to host applicants on its own territory, but the Commission’s statement provides political cover for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s migration strategy.(ansa.it)
Individuals and businesses navigating Italy’s complex visa framework can streamline their applications through VisaHQ, which offers real-time requirement checks, document preparation assistance, and secure submission services for everything from short-stay Schengen visas to long-term work permits. For the latest guidance tailored to Italian entry categories, visit https://www.visahq.com/italy/
For employers seconding non-EU talent to Italy, the ruling reduces the likelihood of abrupt policy reversals that could clog Italy’s reception system and indirectly delay residence-permit processing. However, mobility teams should continue to monitor litigation: human-rights groups have hinted at future challenges before the European Court of Justice if conditions in Albanian centres deteriorate.(ansa.it)
Practically, the protocol has no impact on standard work or intra-company transfer permits, but it underscores Italy’s broader shift toward externalised border management—a trend that could resurface in future legislation affecting business immigration quotas.(ansa.it)
