Wherever you travel in Greece — even to its most remote corners — you are bound to find at least one Albanian. Since the early 1990s, following the fall of communism in Albania, hundreds of thousands crossed the border seeking survival and opportunity. They took on the hardest, often most underappreciated jobs, enduring grueling conditions and often harsh discrimination. Despite never having committed any crimes, they were frequently scapegoated and even expelled — only to return and try again.
With honesty and perseverance, Albanians in Greece have gradually built a life. Over the years, they integrated into society, became valuable contributors to the local economy, and raised and educated their children — children who today aspire to a brighter future, far different from the hardships their parents endured.
This deep integration has allowed members of the Albanian community to become active participants in Greek public life — with some even running for parliamentary seats or local government councils.
For decades now, Albanians have represented the overwhelming majority of foreign migrants in Greece. But they are more than just statistics — they have become a vital and visible part of the communities where they live and work. Still, the question remains: how many Albanians currently hold valid residence permits in Greece? And how are they distributed across the country’s 13 administrative regions?
According to data from the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum, compiled in April 2020, a total of 340,764 active residence permits were held by Albanian citizens across Greece. Of these:
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43,614 were issued for work
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168,801 fell under various categories such as long-term residency, 10-year permits, or second-generation status
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128,236 were granted for family reunification
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113 were issued for study purposes
Distribution by Region
Here is a detailed breakdown of residence permits issued to Albanians by region:
Attica (Athens and Surroundings)
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Athens: 67,285
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Piraeus: 21,065
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Pallini: 16,857
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Central Migration Service: 2,507
Total: 108,254
Central Macedonia
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Thessaloniki: 31,559
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Veria (Imathia): 6,441
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Kilkis: 2,292
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Edessa (Pella): 5,678
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Katerini (Pieria): 3,862
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Serres: 2,681
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Polygyros (Chalkidiki): 5,288
Total: 57,801
Thessaly
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Karditsa: 2,434
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Larissa: 9,775
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Volos (Magnesia): 8,050
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Trikala: 3,491
Total: 23,750
Crete
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Heraklion: 8,758
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Agios Nikolaos (Lasithi): 3,872
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Rethymno: 3,748
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Chania: 6,020
Total: 22,398
South Aegean
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Rhodes: 10,223
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Syros (including Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, etc.): 11,160
Total: 21,383
Peloponnese
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Nafplio (Argolida): 3,852
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Tripoli (Arcadia): 1,848
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Corinth: 7,012
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Sparta (Laconia): 2,645
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Kalamata (Messinia): 5,626
Total: 20,983
Central Greece (Sterea Ellada)
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Livadeia (Viotia): 4,551
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Chalkida (Evia): 5,358
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Karpenisi (Evrytania): 289
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Lamia (Phthiotis): 6,752
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Amfissa (Phocis): 1,330
Total: 18,280
Western Greece
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Agrinio (Aetolia-Acarnania): 5,197
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Patras (Achaia): 6,936
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Pyrgos (Elis): 3,958
Total: 16,091
Epirus
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Arta: 6,441
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Igoumenitsa (Thesprotia): 2,788
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Ioannina: 3,283
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Preveza: 2,129
Total: 14,641
Ionian Islands
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Corfu: 4,320
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Zakynthos: 4,243
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Lefkada: 927
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Argostoli (Kefalonia): 2,542
Total: 12,032
Western Macedonia
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Kozani: 4,095
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Grevena: 1,061
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Kastoria: 1,419
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Florina: 2,729
Total: 9,304
Eastern Macedonia and Thrace
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Drama: 1,621
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Kavala: 5,119
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Xanthi: 788
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Komotini (Rodopi): 262
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Alexandroupoli (Evros): 481
Total: 8,271
North Aegean
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Lesvos (Mytilene): 3,213
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Samos: 1,182
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Chios: 1,482
Total: 5,877
Summary: Total Albanian Presence (by 2020 Residence Permits)
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Attica: 108,254
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Central Macedonia: 57,801
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Thessaly: 23,750
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Crete: 22,398
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South Aegean: 21,383
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Peloponnese: 20,983
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Central Greece: 18,280
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Western Greece: 16,091
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Epirus: 14,641
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Ionian Islands: 12,032
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Western Macedonia: 9,304
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Eastern Macedonia & Thrace: 8,271
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North Aegean: 5,877
It’s important to note that these figures, compiled in April 2020, do not represent the full Albanian population in Greece. Due to delays from the COVID-19 pandemic, many were still in the process of renewing their permits and were not included in this data. Furthermore, an estimated 100,000 second-generation Albanians have acquired Greek citizenship and are also not counted in these statistics.
Taking all these factors into account, it is safe to estimate that around half a million Albanians currently live and work in Greece — forming not only the country’s largest immigrant group but also a bridge of cultural and social connection between two neighboring nations.