Belgium Seeks Prison Transfer Agreements with Albania and Kosovo Amid Overcrowding Crisis
Belgium has launched a high-level diplomatic mission to Albania and Kosovo aimed at discussing the transfer of foreign prisoners, particularly those without legal residency, as part of a broader effort to ease overcrowding in Belgian prisons and enhance cooperation in the fight against organized crime.
According to Belgian media reports, this initiative represents a strategic shift in the country’s justice and migration policies, as officials grapple with the dual challenges of rising inmate populations and the complex issue of foreign nationals convicted under Belgian law.
A Three-Day Visit to the Western Balkans
Belgium’s Minister of Justice, Annelies Verlinden, and Minister of Asylum and Migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, have embarked on a three-day visit to Albania and Kosovo. The visit’s primary goal is to assess the feasibility of leasing or constructing a prison facility in one of these two countries, where Belgium could potentially send foreign inmates, particularly irregular migrants.
According to the daily DeMorgen, both ministers will hold meetings with senior officials in Tirana and Pristina to negotiate terms that could allow the repatriation of Albanian nationals currently serving sentences in Belgium. As of 2025, there are 307 Albanian prisoners in Belgian correctional facilities, including 253 without residence permits.
Belgium is reportedly seeking to secure bilateral arrangements similar to Denmark’s deal with Kosovo, where foreign prisoners can serve their sentences abroad under local supervision, while their home country benefits economically and logistically from the arrangement.
Albania and Kosovo: Strategic Partners in Crime Prevention
Belgium views Albania and Kosovo as key strategic partners in tackling organized crime, drug trafficking, and human smuggling networks that often span across Europe.
Albania, in particular, has been an active partner in joint operations against drug trafficking, with the port of Antwerp frequently cited as a focal point for smuggling routes connected to Albanian criminal groups.
Kosovo, on the other hand, is described by Belgian authorities as a transit point for human trafficking and arms smuggling, and it frequently appears in Belgian court cases related to money laundering. By strengthening judicial cooperation with both countries, Belgium hopes to address these issues more effectively and establish a long-term framework for cross-border law enforcement collaboration.
Potential Prison Leasing Agreements
One of the most notable aspects of this diplomatic mission is Belgium’s interest in leasing prison facilities abroad—a model already tested in Europe.
In 2021, Denmark and Kosovo signed a 10-year agreement allowing Denmark to rent 300 prison cells at the Correctional Institution in Gjilan, expected to begin housing Danish inmates by 2027. The deal, worth €200 million, provides Kosovo with significant financial compensation and aims to alleviate pressure on Danish prisons while ensuring that inmates continue serving sentences under Danish jurisdiction and standards.
Belgium is now exploring a similar model, seeking to outsource part of its prison population to Albania or Kosovo. Such an agreement could help Belgium manage the growing number of foreign inmates, who currently make up a considerable portion of the total prison population, while also reducing the cost burden on the Belgian state.
Strengthening Judicial and Migration Cooperation
In addition to discussions about prison management, the Belgian delegation will also focus on signing a treaty on legal assistance with Kosovo. This agreement is expected to strengthen structural cooperation on criminal matters, streamline extradition procedures, and improve intelligence-sharing on transnational criminal activity.
The initiative reflects Belgium’s broader commitment to enhancing bilateral relations with the Western Balkans, particularly in areas related to migration control, border security, and judicial reform. It also underscores the European Union’s growing engagement in supporting justice reforms and anti-corruption efforts in the region, aligning with Brussels’ long-term strategy to stabilize and integrate the Western Balkans.
A Controversial but Pragmatic Solution
While the proposed prison transfer scheme may raise ethical and legal questions, proponents argue it is a pragmatic response to a system under immense pressure. Belgium’s prisons have long struggled with overcrowding, and despite ongoing reforms, the government continues to face criticism over living conditions, resource shortages, and the management of foreign detainees.
By transferring inmates to facilities abroad—under strict international standards—Belgium hopes to reduce domestic strain while also incentivizing partner countries through economic benefits and judicial cooperation.
For Albania and Kosovo, the initiative could bring financial investment, infrastructure development, and closer ties with EU institutions, though public and political reactions in both countries are likely to vary depending on how the proposals are framed and implemented.
Belgium’s mission to Albania and Kosovo marks a significant development in European justice diplomacy, blending migration management, prison reform, and international cooperation into a single framework.
If successful, it could set a new precedent for how EU member states handle foreign prisoners—through shared responsibility, economic partnership, and cross-border legal integration.
As the talks unfold, observers will be closely watching whether this model can balance efficiency, human rights, and international law, while offering a sustainable solution to Europe’s growing prison crisis.