TIRANA, November 19 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said today that pensioners remain the main focus of the 2026 draft budget and of the government’s current mandate.

He said social protection will reach 257 billion Lekë, an increase of 11.6 billion Lekë.
Rama said this amount is more than double the level of social protection when the current majority took office. He noted that poverty and unemployment have both declined.
He said support continues for families receiving economic assistance, persons with disabilities, housing programmes and the baby bonus.

Rama said small businesses will remain exempt from profit tax until 2029. He said businesses with up to 100,000 euros in turnover pay neither profit tax nor VAT, while those up to 140,000 euros pay no profit tax.

He said Albania stands above the region in support for small business and noted that in North Macedonia the VAT threshold is 16,000 euros.

Rama said the draft budget also maintains the pledge to raise the minimum wage, which will reach 500 euros in January and is planned to rise to 700 euros by the end of the government’s fourth mandate.

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