Surviving Albania: A Guide for Citizens—Not for MPs

 In the poorest country in Europe, where many citizens juggle rent, fuel, and basic bills like a monthly survival challenge, members of Albania’s Parliament seem to live in a parallel economic universe.

Albanian Parliament, May, 2025

Members of the Albanian Parliament receive a net base salary of around €2,250 per month—a figure that already places them far above the national average. But this is only the beginning. Their income grows generously through a series of additional benefits: bonuses for committee participation, €170 per month for phone expenses, €300–€400 for fuel, and daily allowances for both domestic and international travel.

Altogether, a lawmaker’s monthly income easily exceeds €3,500. Apparently, even that is not enough.

Data obtained from the VNA within the Parliament of Albania show that, despite having voted to increase their own salaries in the previous legislature, MPs continue to exploit every legal loophole available to extract even more from public funds.

Rent—Paid by the Taxpayers

Official documents reveal that 11 MPs, including the Speaker of Parliament, received rent payments from the state budget for the month of October.

The list is dominated by members of the Socialist Party, but it also includes two MPs from the Democratic Party—proving that when it comes to taxpayer-funded comfort in Tirana, political differences suddenly disappear.

Rent payments (October):

1. Antoneta Dhima (SP) – €350
2. Fadil Nasufi (SP) – €350
3. Agron Gjekmarkaj (DP) – €350
4. Hatixhe Konomi (SP) – €350
5. Bledi Çomo (SP) – €116
6. Erjo Mile (SP) – €350
7. Erjona Ismaili (SP) – €290
8. Genti Lakollari (SP) – €300
9. Ledina Alolli (DP) – €210
10. Ramion Kurti (SP) – €338
11. Zeqine Çaushi (SP) – €361

In a country where thousands struggle to pay rent with minimum wages, elected officials have their housing comfortably covered—by the very people struggling outside their doors.

Diplomatic Passports—Without Reaching Into Their Own Pockets

Meanwhile, 10 newly elected MPs were issued diplomatic passports. Even here, personal responsibility was optional. The €75 fee for each passport was reimbursed by Parliament.

Diplomatic passport reimbursements (October):

1. Ani Dyrmishi
2. Arjan Ndoja
3. Enno Bozdo
4. Erjo Mile
5. Kiduina Zaka
6. Klevis Balliu
7. Marjana Koçeku
8. Skënder Pashaj
9. Zeqine Çaushi
10. Zija Ismailaj

After all, why pay €75 yourself when public money is available?

How Much Did MPs Cost Us in Just One Month?

According to VNA data, only for the month of October, and excluding base salaries, parliamentary expenses amounted to:

• Fuel: €44,000
• Phone expenses: €19,000
• Travel allowances: €139,000
• Rent: €4,000
• Diplomatic passports: €750

Every single month, hundreds of thousands of euros are spent on privileges that go far beyond salaries—in a country where most citizens can barely afford rent, fuel, or basic utilities.

But perhaps this is the real definition of representation:
the people tighten their belts, while their representatives loosen theirs—comfortably, legally, and always on the public tab.