With the approval of Law No. 12/2026 “On Lobbying in the Republic of Albania” (“Law”), Albania has established for the first time a binding legal framework regulating lobbying activities. The Law is designed to regulate the exercise of influence over public decision-making by setting out clear conditions under which lobbying activities may be conducted and supervised. Its stated objective is to enhance transparency and accountability while preserving legitimate participation in democratic processes.
To achieve this, the Law applies to lobbying activities directed at a broad range of public officials, including members of Parliament, members of the Council of Ministers, senior civil servants, and elected or appointed officials at the local level. The scope of application extends across both central and local public administration, reflecting an intention to cover decision-making processes regardless of institutional level. At the same time, certain sensitive sectors, most notably the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces, are expressly excluded from involvement in lobbying activities during the exercise of official functions.
The Concept of Lobbying and Its Limits
Lobbying is defined broadly as any activity intended to influence public decision-making through communication, initiatives, or organised actions carried out on behalf of specific interests. This formulation captures not only formal or contractual interactions, but also repeated or structured engagements aimed at shaping legislative, regulatory, or administrative outcomes.
Importantly, the Law draws clear boundaries between lobbying and other forms of lawful and constitutionally protected activity. Participation in public consultations, independent academic or research activities, media commentary, judicial or administrative representation, and advocacy carried out by non-profit organisations within their statutory mission are expressly excluded, provided they are not undertaken for remuneration or as part of a structured lobbying relationship. This distinction is intended to ensure that transparency obligations do not interfere with fundamental rights to expression, participation, and access to justice.
Supervisory Framework and Institutional Oversight
A notable feature of the Law is the designation of the Commissioner for the Right to Information and Protection of Personal Data (“Commissioner”) as the authority responsible for supervising lobbying activities. In this role, the Commissioner is responsible for administering the electronic Register of Lobbying, monitoring compliance with statutory obligations, carrying out administrative controls and investigations, and adopting secondary legislation, including a Code of Conduct for Lobbyists.
Public authorities are required to cooperate with the Commissioner, notably by reporting contacts with registered lobbyists and supporting awareness and training initiatives necessary for the effective implementation of the Law.
Registration and Transparency Obligations
The Law makes registration in the Register of Lobbying a precondition for the lawful exercise of lobbying activities. Eligibility for registration is subject to specific integrity requirements, including the absence of certain criminal convictions, reflecting the Law’s emphasis on credibility and accountability.
Once registered, lobbyists are subject to structured transparency and reporting obligations. Lobbying activities must, as a rule, be grounded in a written contract, the essential terms of which must be disclosed to the Commissioner. Additionally, Lobbyists are required to submit periodic reports on their activities, financial resources, and interactions with public officials. Similar duties apply to beneficiaries of lobbying activities, who are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the information submitted.
Transparency requirements extend equally to public officials. Any contact with a registered lobbyist must be reported to the Commissioner, establishing a reciprocal disclosure mechanism intended to provide visibility over lobbying interactions and support effective oversight.
Restrictions, Conflicts of Interest and Sanctions
To safeguard the integrity of public decision-making, the Law introduces cooling-off periods for former public officials, during which lobbying activities are restricted. These provisions are intended to prevent the use of insider knowledge and to align domestic practice with internationally recognised standards on post-public employment conduct.
The Law further establishes a detailed sanctions regime, empowering the Commissioner to impose administrative fines and other measures in cases of non-compliance. Sanctionable conduct includes, among others, unregistered lobbying, failure to comply with reporting obligations, inaccurate disclosures, and breaches of the Code of Conduct. Sanctions may apply to lobbyists, beneficiaries of lobbying activities, and public officials who fail to meet their respective obligations under the Law.
Entry into Force and Forward-Looking Considerations
Although the Law has been approved by Parliament, it will only become binding following its publication in the Official Gazette and the expiry of the 15-day vacatio legis.
In the interim, the adoption of secondary legislation and practical guidance by the Commissioner will be essential to clarify procedural aspects and ensure consistent application.
The information in this document does not constitute legal advice on any particular matter and is provided for general informational purposes only.
