Citizenship in an Emigrant Nation-State: the Case of Albania

This paper explores the emergence and transformation of citizenship in Albania since the country’s independence in 1912, with a particular focus on the developments in the aftermath of the fall of communism in 1991. It argues that only after the fall of communism, which was followed by massive waves of emigration, and the subsequent liberalisation and democratisation of the Albanian state did citizenship in its modern and liberal sense slowly start to enter the political agenda in Albania. The paper also provides a detailed account of the current citizenship legislation in Albania, which reflects the country’s attempts to democratise and achieve EU membership.