Euronews reported Nov. 3 that Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said Italy could keep its migration protocol with Albania for as long as Rome wants, although the treaty sets a defined renewal schedule.
At an interview in Brussels, Rama said, “The deal will stay for as long as need be.” Euronews also reported that he joked the arrangement might continue through 2030, 2040 or 2050 while Giorgia Meloni remained Italy’s prime minister.
The protocol took effect on Mar. 25, 2024, for an initial five-year term. That places its first expiration in March 2029. The agreement provides for one automatic five-year extension unless either country gives notice at least six months before the initial term ends, putting the deadline to prevent renewal around Sept. 2028.
That deadline is distinct from another provision in Article 13: after the first year, either side may denounce the protocol by giving six months’ written notice. The treaty specifies one automatic extension but does not address any later renewals.
Italy administers facilities in Shëngjin and Gjadër, which fall under Italian jurisdiction. The pact allows up to 3,000 migrants to be present at once, and Italy covers the costs specified in the agreement, including certain expenses incurred by Albania.
Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha told Euractiv in May 2026 that he was unsure the pact would be extended and said Albania’s European Union membership would rule out an extension. Rama wrote on X on May 12, 2026, that the arrangement could continue at Italy’s request.
The Court of Justice of the European Union lists cases C-414/25 and C-706/25 as pending. Nonbinding opinions by Advocate General Nicholas Emiliou in April 2026 and Advocate General Laila Medina in June 2026 addressed migrant safeguards in C-414/25 and procedural guarantees in joined cases C-706/25 and C-707/25, respectively. The first deadline under the treaty to block automatic renewal is around Sept. 2028; either country also retains the separate six-month termination option after the first year.
