Koçiu: 2026 Budget prioritizes pay raises and investments in security and technology

Sonila Mehmeti — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 15:24:17 +0000

TIRANA, Nov 11 /ATA/ The Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs and National Security convened on Tuesday to deliberate on the draft law “On the 2026 State Budget.” During the session, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Ms. Albana Koçiu, outlined the top priorities and strategic directions of funding for the upcoming year.
Koçiu emphasized that the year 2026 will mark a record-high budget for Albania, amounting to approximately €9 billion. The Ministry of Interior, she noted, will receive the largest allocation to date — an increase of €50 million compared to the current year and €100 million more than the last two years.
According to her, this budget brings positive developments both for citizens and for the personnel of the institutions under the ministry’s authority.
The salary raise for 12,432 employees of the State Police, 1,491 members of the Republic Guard, 1,389 employees of the Fire and Rescue Service, 181 staff members of the Ministry of Interior itself, as well as for all other institutions under the Ministry’s jurisdiction, will take effect in January 2026.
The Minister stated that, like all public administration employees, staff under the Ministry of the Interior will benefit from salary adjustments due to a 2.5% inflation alignment and the national minimum wage increase to €500.
For approximately 11,500 police officers with ranks, the salary increase is threefold, Ms. Koçiu emphasized, noting that “in addition to the adjustment for inflation, they will also benefit from a revised seniority formula, as well as the inclusion of the food allowance in cash, which until now had been provided in the form of a meal card.”
“As a result, the salary of an inspector, currently 80,500 lek inclusive of all allowances, will increase to 100,000 lek, representing a 20% rise. For a deputy commissioner, the salary will rise from 95,500 lek to 116,000 lek; for a commissioner, from 105,000 lek to 125,600 lek inclusive of all allowances; and for a senior commissioner, from 115,500 lek to 136,000 lek,” the Minister stated, adding that similar increases will also apply to the positions of director and chief director.

She underscored that, alongside the planned salary increases, the 2026 budget will provide substantial support for the modernization of the State Police and the enhancement of technological infrastructure through the deployment of artificial intelligence tools and the nationwide expansion of the camera surveillance system.

Among the priority initiatives, Ms. Koçiu highlighted the advancement of the “Smart Cities” project, aimed at ensuring 24/7 public safety monitoring across the country’s 20 largest cities, as well as the improvement of the National Civil Status Registry through the provision of digitized services for citizens both within and outside the country.

The Minister also emphasized support for Chapters 23 and 24 of the European Union accession negotiations, the strengthening of efforts to combat crime and corruption, and the implementation of reforms that ensure the rule of law across the territory and address unauthorized construction.
“This budget is not merely a financial plan, but a powerful instrument that enables us to advance transformative reforms and ensure that Albania meets its objectives for European Union accession by 2027,” concluded Minister Albana Koçiu.
/gj.m/sm/

budget-pay raise-modernization – Albanian Telegraphic Agency.

Koçiu: 2026 Budget prioritizes pay raises and investments in security and technology