According to the report published today by INSTAT, in December there was a significant increase in visitors and overnight stays.

According to official statistics, the total number of visitors to Albania increased by 27.2% compared to December 2024.

Overnight stays also rose significantly, increasing by 26.2%.

Italians topped the list of foreign visitors in December 2025, accounting for 25% of the total, followed by 16% from Kosovo and 6% from Germany.

Over 12 million foreign visitors traveled to Albania in 2025. /j.p/p.s./

According to the Bank of Albania, the banks NPL ratio also fell 0.375 year-on-year from 4.17% in December 2024.

The decline reflects improved financial stability, better lending quality, and stronger bank capacity to support the economy, the central bank said. Non-performing loans on commercial banks’ balance sheets totaled 358 million euros.

The drop of the NPL ratio to a historic low is linked to stronger economic activity, more stable incomes, improved financial management by households and businesses, and the depreciation of the euro against the lek, central bank added.

Meanwhile, total bank lending rose to 9.4 billion euros at the end of 2025, up from 8.3 billion euros in 2024, driven by strong demand from businesses for investment and households for home purchases.

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DP Chairman Sali Berisha praised December 8 as the day that changed the course of Albanian history and emphasized that the Democratic Party is determined to revitalize the ideals of the Student Movement of the 1990.

Berisha emphasized that today, unlike then, the citizens have a political force that represents them, underlining that the Democratic Party, founded by the December students themselves, has managed to survive “all the upheavals and attempts to eliminate it”.

He stated that, “The DP gathers today to restore the lofty ideals of the December Movement, freedom, free vote, the dignity of citizens and the national interest”.

Berisha also called for the launch of mass protests, which according to him aim to restore the future and dignity for Albanian citizens.

Berisha stressed that the opposition should prepare for a wave of powerful protests. He stated that these protests will aim, according to him, “to restore the future, honor and dignity to Albanians”.

At the end of his speech, the leader of the DP held in high esteem the figure of Azem Hajdari and the students of the December Movement, describing them as symbols of freedom and democratic change. /gj.m/r.e/p.s./

On the 35th anniversary of the student movement of December ’90, Begaj emphasized that the European aspiration of Albanians remains inseparable from the ideals of freedom and democracy, which inspired the student movement.

“On this day 35 years ago, the call of idealistic students echoed in the streets of Tirana: ‘We love Albania like all of Europe!’. The courage and youth movement of December ’90 paved the way for a European Albania. Every step we take on this journey honors the youthful courage that brought down the iron curtain that separated Albania from Europe,” Begaj said.

December 8, Youth Day, is commemoration of the Student Movement in the history of Albania.

Albanian Parliament decided in 2009 that this day is a national holiday in honor of all the students of December 1990 and all Albanian youth.

On December 8, 1990, a group of students and professors from the universities of Tirana became the initiators and protagonists of the great historical turning point, the peaceful protests that brought about the fall of the communist system and the birth of democracy in Albania.

This day carries national values because unlike other events, December 8th did not have two sides, a winner and a loser. /p.s./

“December ushers in winter holidays in Saranda,” wrote Prime Minister Edi Rama in his Facebook post, sharing images of the celebrations in the city center and the culminating moment of lighting up the giant fir tree located in the central square of Saranda’s promenade.

Mayor of this Southern resort Oltion Çaçi, accompanied by the political leader of the Vlora region of the ruling Socialist Party Bledi Çuçi, joined the magical scene, where children and music played created the festive atmosphere full of joy and love.

Together with the children, Çaçi counted down from ten to one, marking the culminating moment of lighting up the Christmas tree in the coastal city.

Children and citizens gathered in the square, celebrating and enjoying the colorful lights as well as the show with songs and dances. This year’s decoration has also extended beyond the center and there are innovations that remain to be discovered by both the local residents and the numerous tourists who visit this coastal city at any time of the year. /r.e/p.s./

The National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) recently published the released the occupancy indicators of accommodation establishments report, according to which the number of overnight stays of non-resident visitors has increased by 80.9% in December 2023 compared to the same period of 2022.

INSTAT data show that 11.5% of the non-resident visitors to Albania in December 2023 were Italians and 5.3% of them were Germans.

Data from INSTAT also showed that 8.2% of non-resident visitors were from Kosovo, 3.2 % of them from the United Kingdom.

The highest number of overnight stays was recorded in the central region of Tirana and Durrës, specifically 57.1%.

More than 10 million foreign tourists visited Albania in 2023 and authorities expect more than 13 million visitors in 2024.

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In her speech in the Assembly discussing the price increase, Tabaku said that the difficult situation in our country was expected to even though Russia and Ukraine war had not started yet.

“The opposition asked the Albanian government to be extremely careful when discussing the state budget and proposed that it should be much more conservative because the future was very uncertain. But, the majority opposed arrogantly,” she said.

Tabaku added that Rama ruling majority has implemented a selective fiscal policy with taxes imposed on 95% of Albanians, avoiding only 5% of those who are oligarchs, concessionaires and winners of Public Private Partnerships.

“The economic crisis has begun to be felt since December 2021: According to EUROSTAT, Albanian families spend 42% of income on food basket products and beverages. This is the highest level of expenditure on this invoice in relation to revenue. The countries in the region spend 35%, while those in the EU 12%”, said Tabaku.

Likewise, Tabaku added that today, the public debt is really an obstacle as the Albanian government in good times has failed to spend and invest wisely so that to face this time of crisis.

Tabaku stressed that the reason for the increase in the oil price are the taxes imposed by the government.

“What are the reasons for the price of 230 lekë / liter that changes and increases more and faster than the price of oil on the stock exchange? The taxes imposed and paid together with the oil are 60% of the value of the oil sold today at every gas station”, said Tabaku./p.s./

He attached his message in the social media the photo of a landscape showing the north of Albania that is covered by a white mantle of snow.

“Good morning and on this first day of winter, I wish you a peaceful December on the way to the end of the year”, Rama emphasized.

The areas in the north and southeast of the country have been covered in recent days by snowfall, offering a stunning landscape for its fans. There has been snowfall in Valbona, Puka, as well as in the tourist village of Dardha in Korça./k.s/j.p/p.s./