EU Commission Raises Alarm Over Address Deregistration of Albanians in Southern Serbia, Calls for Concrete Action
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The European Commission has explicitly highlighted concerns over the controversial practice of address passivisation in Serbia, urging authorities in Belgrade to improve procedures, communication with affected citizens and mechanisms for legal appeal.
The controversial practice of address passivisation affecting ethnic Albanians in southern Serbia has become an issue of European concern, following its explicit inclusion in the European Commission’s latest Serbia Report, published on November 4, 2026.
On page 51 of the report, the European Commission calls on Serbian authorities to address concerns surrounding the procedure used to deactivate the registered addresses of citizens, a practice that has repeatedly raised concerns among the Albanian population in the municipalities of Preševo, Bujanovac and Medveđa.
“The authorities need to address the concerns expressed in the Fifth Opinion regarding the procedure for the ‘passivisation’ of addresses,” the European Commission states.
The report goes further, identifying several areas where Serbia needs to improve its procedures to prevent inconsistencies and ensure that affected individuals have access to effective remedies.
The Commission specifically calls for:
- Reducing the potential for inconsistent application of address passivisation procedures at the local level.
- Improving communication with individuals affected by address deregistration.
- Increasing the clarity and effectiveness of mechanisms available to challenge and appeal such decisions.
These recommendations highlight the European Union's concern that the current procedures may not provide sufficient transparency, consistency or effective protection for citizens whose registered addresses are declared inactive.
Albanian Representation in Serbian Institutions Remains a Concern
The European Commission's assessment also highlights the lack of measurable progress in implementing the plan aimed at improving the representation of ethnic Albanians in Serbian state institutions.
The issue is particularly significant in southern Serbia, where Albanians have repeatedly raised concerns about their representation in public administration, employment opportunities and access to state institutions.
Taken together, the Commission's findings point to broader challenges concerning the rights and equal treatment of the Albanian community in Serbia.
Address passivisation is especially sensitive because it can have serious consequences for affected individuals, potentially complicating their access to identity documents, administrative services and the exercise of basic civic rights.
For Albanians in Preševo, Bujanovac and Medveđa, the issue is not simply an administrative dispute. It concerns their ability to maintain legal residence, preserve their documents and remain fully recognised as members of the communities in which they live.
EU Must Turn Its Recommendations Into Concrete Action
The European Commission's explicit reference to address passivisation represents an important development in the international scrutiny of an issue that Albanian communities and representatives have repeatedly brought to public attention.
However, documenting concerns in an annual report is not enough. The key question is whether Serbia will take concrete steps to address them.
The European Union should closely monitor the implementation of the Commission's recommendations and hold Serbian authorities accountable for measurable progress. This should include transparent procedures, proper notification of affected individuals and accessible, effective mechanisms through which citizens can challenge decisions concerning their registered addresses.
Serbia's European integration cannot be assessed solely through legislative reforms and official commitments. Respect for minority rights, equal treatment and the effective protection of citizens must also be reflected in everyday administrative practice.
For Albanians in southern Serbia, the right to live in their homes, maintain their registered addresses and retain access to their documents and legal protections must not remain a promise on paper.
The European Commission has now put the issue on record. The responsibility lies with Belgrade to act — and with Brussels to ensure that its recommendations produce tangible results.
There can be no credible European integration for Serbia without respect for the rights of its Albanian community.