President Begaj decrees new territorial division, reducing Albania to 46 municipalities

The President of the Republic of Albania, Bajram Begaj, has decreed the law on the new administrative-territorial division of local government units in Albania.

Under the approved changes, the number of municipalities in the country will be reduced from 61 to 46.

The new territorial map is expected to be used for the 2027 local elections, when citizens will vote for mayors and municipal councils under the new division.

The decision was made public through the President’s decree promulgating Law No. 100/2026, “On the administrative-territorial division of local government units in the Republic of Albania.”

The decree states:

“Pursuant to Article 84, paragraph 1, and Article 93 of the Constitution,

I DECREE:

The promulgation of Law No. 100/2026, ‘On the administrative-territorial division of local government units in the Republic of Albania.’”

Once the new map takes effect, Albania will have 15 fewer municipalities than under the current administrative-territorial division.