On 29 October 2026, the Albanian Parliament adopted Law No. 116/2026 “On Consumer Protection” (the “New Law”). It is the most far-reaching reform of Albanian consumer law in almost two decades and replaces Law No. 9902/2008 “On Consumer Protection”. The New Law brings in a dedicated enforcement agency, modern rules for online trade, sustainability-driven bans and a much stricter sanctions framework. It enters into force six months after its publication in the Official Gazette, which leaves businesses selling to Albanian consumers a short window to adapt. As a key step in Albania’s EU acquis alignment, the New Law transposes the core EU consumer directives, from the Unfair Contract Terms, Unfair Commercial Practices and Consumer Rights Directives to the Digital Content, Sale of Goods and Omnibus Directives, as well as the latest EU rules on distance financial services, green transition, right to repair and ADR. Several provisions, including turnover-based fines and the European online repair platform, apply only upon Albania’s EU accession, a clear signal of the country’s accession trajectory and good news for businesses already compliant with EU consumer rules.
Key Changes at a Glance
- An empowered regulator. The National Agency for Consumer Protection (Agjencia Kombëtare për Mbrojtjen e Konsumatorit – AKMK) remains the central enforcement authority, working with the Central Market Surveillance Inspectorate and sector regulators. AKMK may open investigations on its own initiative, carry out on-site inspections, request documents and data (including on financial flows and website ownership), and make mystery-shopping purchases under a concealed identity. It may also accept commitments from traders, order infringements to stop, temporarily suspend sales, and order refunds of overcharged amounts. Where no other effective means exist, it may order the removal of content, restrict access to an online interface or have a domain name deleted. AKMK will also act as the single liaison office for cross-border enforcement cooperation.
- Withdrawal rights fit for e-commerce. Consumers may withdraw from distance and off-premises contracts within 14 calendar days, without giving reasons. If the trader fails to inform the consumer of this right, the withdrawal period is extended by up to 12 months. Traders must refund all payments, including standard delivery costs, within 14 days. For contracts concluded through online interfaces, traders must provide a permanently available, prominently displayed “withdraw from the contract here” function and confirm receipt on a durable medium. Manipulative interface design, such as making cancellation harder than subscription, is expressly prohibited for distance financial services.
- Bans on greenwashing and planned obsolescence. Following Directive (EU) 2024/825, the New Law treats as unfair any claim about future environmental performance that is not backed by clear, verifiable commitments and independent monitoring. It also bans claims that a product has a neutral, reduced or positive environmental impact based on emissions offsetting. The blacklist further covers concealing that a software update will impair functionality, presenting non-essential updates as necessary, making false durability claims, presenting goods as repairable when they are not, and pushing consumers to replace consumables earlier than technically needed.
- A strengthened guarantees regime. Sellers are liable for defects appearing within two years of delivery, including for goods with digital elements. If the consumer chooses repair, this period is extended once by 12 months. Any defect appearing within the first year is presumed to have existed at delivery. Consumers may choose between repair and replacement, free of charge, before turning to a price reduction or termination. Manufacturers and sellers must make spare parts available at least for the duration of the guarantee. A harmonised notice and label on legal guarantees will become mandatory.
- Alternative dispute resolution as standard practice. Traders must handle written complaints and respond within 15 calendar days, and keep complaints registered for one year. They must use the competent ADR body for their sector and identify it on their website and in their general terms. Traders notified by an ADR body must indicate whether they will take part within 20 working days. ADR proceedings suspend limitation periods. A pre-dispute ADR clause that deprives consumers of access to court is not binding and, in standard contracts, is deemed unfair.
- Unfair terms with wider reach. Once a court or AKMK finally declares a term unfair, that decision applies automatically to every current and future contract containing the same term, with no need for new proceedings. Consumers also cannot waive their statutory rights, and any clause that excludes or limits them is void, with the law applying directly in its place.
Enforcement and Sanctions
Breaches of the New Law, where they are not criminal offences, are administrative offences. AKMK may impose fines of ALL 300,000 to 600,000 for unfair commercial practices, misleading and comparative advertising, unfair contract terms and breaches of core consumer rights. Other breaches, including those concerning the sale of goods, digital content, timeshare, repair obligations and ADR agreements, carry fines of ALL 100,000 to 200,000. Fines double for repeat infringement within five years, and AKMK may separately order compensation for damage caused to consumers. Upon EU accession, fines for widespread infringements may reach at least 4% of annual turnover or, where turnover data is not available, at least EUR 2 million.
Timing
Most of the New Law applies six months after publication. Certain provisions, including the harmonised legal guarantee notice and label and most of the right-to-repair rules, take effect two years after publication, while others apply only upon EU accession. Existing secondary legislation remains in force until replaced, to the extent it is consistent with the New Law.
What This Means for Your Business
- Review consumer terms and conditions, standard contracts and ADR clauses for unfair or non-compliant provisions.
- Update e-commerce checkouts, pre-contractual information, withdrawal processes and online interfaces, including the new withdrawal function.
- Audit sustainability, durability and repairability claims in marketing materials.
- Put in place a compliant complaints-handling procedure and identify the ADR body covering your sector.
- Align after-sales, warranty and spare parts practices with the extended guarantee rules.
- Prepare for closer regulatory scrutiny, including inspections and information requests from AKMK.
Frequently asked questions – FAQ
1. When does the New Law start to apply?
Most of it applies six months after publication in the Official Gazette. Some provisions, such as the guarantee label and most right-to-repair rules, apply after two years, and others only upon EU accession. There is no general grace period, so businesses should start adapting now.
2. Does the New Law apply to foreign businesses selling online to Albanian consumers?
In principle, yes. The rules cover distance contracts and online interfaces, so traders selling to consumers in Albania should check their compliance wherever they are established.
3. What changes for online sales and withdrawal?
The 14-day withdrawal right remains, but if consumers are not informed of it, the period can extend by up to 12 months. Online traders must offer a prominent “withdraw from the contract here” option, and refunds, including standard delivery costs, must be issued within 14 days.
4. How strict are the rules on environmental claims and durability?
Claims about future environmental performance must be backed by verifiable commitments and independent monitoring, and offsetting-based “neutral” claims are banned. False claims of durability or repairability are also prohibited, so marketing materials should be reviewed.
5. What are the penalties for non-compliance?
Fines range from ALL 100,000 to 600,000, depending on the breach, and double for repeat infringements within five years. AKMK may also order refunds, suspend sales or, as a last resort, restrict access to an online interface. Upon EU accession, fines for widespread infringements may reach at least 4% of annual turnover.
6. What should businesses do now?
Review consumer terms and ADR clauses, update checkouts and withdrawal processes, audit sustainability claims, set up a complaints procedure (response within 15 calendar days), and align warranty and spare parts practices with the new two-year guarantee regime.
The information in this document does not constitute legal advice on any particular matter and is provided for general informational purposes only.
