Joint Programme

Horizontal Facility

For many people in Albania, securing access to property rights can be a challenging process, as procedures often involve complex legal and administrative steps, while clear and understandable information is not always readily available, making it sometimes hard for individuals and families to navigate the system with confidence. Through the support of the EU and Council of Europe joint Action on “Improving the protection of the right to property and facilitating execution of ECtHR judgments in Albania (D-REX III)”, the Tirana Legal Aid Society (TLAS) continued to provide free direct, practical assistance to those in need.       

Only between the period of January to May 2026, TLAS reached over 205 people through its property rights Helpline (+355 69 209 3731) and related awareness-raising activities, bringing the total to 2,720 citizens assisted since this initiative kicked off in 2023.

Behind these numbers are people seeking clear answers about matters that impact their homes, families, livelihoods. Most inquiries concern guidance on inheritance, legalisation of informal constructions, property ownership registration, agricultural land, marital property and compensation procedures. “Many callers faced uncertainty about which institution to approach, what documents were required, or how to follow administrative procedures” said Ms. Marsida Male, lawyer and support staff in the Helpline.

The assistance provided by TLAS staff via the Helpline complemented by awareness raising activities in various locations of Albania, has proven to be very helpful for local communities. They can better understand their property rights, clarify the necessary steps in specific cases, and receive legal orientation when they often lacked access to reliable information. “This assistance is particularly important for vulnerable groups, including Roma and Egyptian communities, as well as for women dealing with property-related problems in situations of divorce, widowhood, cohabitation, child maintenance and housing insecurity” said Ms. Renata Cenko, TLAS Executive Director.

Property rights issues in Albania remain closely linked to social vulnerability, family disputes and limited access to legal information, with recurring concerns including ownership of agricultural land in use, overlapping property ownership claims, incomplete registration and informal housing, especially in rural and peri-urban areas. Thanks to this initiative, legal information is now more accessible to Albanian citizens, empowering them to protect or claim their property rights.

The  HELPLINE is supported by the Action on “Improving the protection of the right to property and facilitating the execution of ECtHR judgments in Albania” (D-REX III), part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.