WESTERN BALKANS

MIGRATION
november 2019
TO THE EU

AND A CURIOUS CASE OF ALBANIA

WESTERN BALKANS
MIGRATION TO THE EU
AND A CURIOUS CASE OF ALBANIA

November 2019, Pristina

Name of Publication:
WESTERN BALKANS MIGRATION TO THE EU: and a curious case of
Albania

Published by:
European Policy Institute of Kosovo

Place and date of issue:

Pristina, 2019
(page intentionally left blank)
CONTENT

Introduction 8
 
Executive summary 9
 
Total number of citizens that migrated from Western 13
Balkans to the EU 2008-2018, by country

Total number of citizens that migrated from Western 14

Balkans to the EU 2008-2018, by share of population
 
Total number of citizens that migrated from Western 15
Balkans to the EU 2008-2018, by year
 
Total number of citizens that migrated to the EU 2008- 16
2018, by type of migration
 
Total number of citizens that migrated to the EU 2008- 23
2018, by country
 
First time asylum applications from the Western Balkans 29
in the EU 2008-2018
 
Total number of first time asylum applications from the 30
Western Balkans in the EU 2008-2018, by country

Total number of first time asylum applications from the 31

Western Balkans in the EU 2008-2018, by year

Total number of first time asylum applications in the EU 32

2008-2018, by country
CONTENT

Western Balkans citizens found to be illegally present in 38

the EU 2008-2018
 
Total number of Western Balkans citizens found to be 39
illegally present in the EU 2008-2018, by country
 
Total number of Western Balkans citizens found to be 40
illegally present in the EU 2008-2018, by year
 
Total number of citizens found to be illegally present in the 41
EU 2008-2018, by country
 
First time residence permits from the Western Balkans in 47
the EU 2008-2018
 
Total number of first time residence permits from the 48
Western Balkans in the EU 2008-2018, by country

Total number of first time residence permits from the 49

Western Balkans in the EU 2008-2018, by year
 
Total number of citizens that were granted first time 50
residence permits in the EU 2008-2018, by country
 
Western Balkans citizens refused entry into the EU 56
2008-2018

Total number of Western Balkans citizens refused entry at 57

the external border of the EU 2008-2018, by country
CONTENT

Total number of Western Balkans citizens refused entry 58

at the external border of the EU 2008-2018, by year
 
Total number of citizens that were refused entry at the 59
external border of the EU 2008-2018, by country
INTRODUCTION
When at the event in Tirana, students
were asked how many of them would
leave Albania, almost the entire group
of 30 youngsters rocketed their hand in
the air. By the same token, in Kosovo,
according to the UNDP Public Pulse,
58% of Kosovo youngsters would, with
absolute certainty, or most probably,
leave Kosovo in the next three years.
Lately we have witnessed a public
discourse in the Western Balkans and
the EU that has been dominated with
the reports and public debate on the
magnitude of migration of citizens from
the region.
 
It is in this light that we have embarked
in understanding the real impact of
migration of Western Balkans citizens
towards the EU in the period 2008-
2018.
This study is continuation of our work
done previously on asylum applications
from Western Balkans. It builds upon
findings presented in the: Asylum
statistics in the European Union (April
2019) and The Great Escape (April
2019). Information presented within
this study is based upon official
EUROSTAT data.
Purpose of this study is to offer factual
data on the real impact of the
migration of Western Balkans citizens
towards the EU and hopefully underpin
a rational discussion that could
potentially identify an array of
alternative public policies that could
strengthen the trust of citizens in the
better future of the region.
On a final note, it is important to
underline a strong disclaimer. Data
presented in this study should be taken
with a grain of salt. Capturing an exact
magnitude of migration of Western
Balkans citizens to the EU is a very
complex undertaking that we don’t
claim we have achieved in its entirety.
For example, we don’t know when did
the citizens, who were found illegaly
present in the EU, migrate to the EU.
During 2008-2018, or earlier? Or to
mention another example, our data
doesn’t capture the number of people
that were returned to Western Balkans
countries. Subtracting this number
from our data would bring us to more
realistic grounds. Hence, data in this
study should be seen as a first attempt
to offer a snapshot of facts and figures
about migration of Western Balkans
citizens to the EU. Not a final one.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In our analysis we have used following "Overall, during the period
three sets of data to determine the
20018-2018, a total of
magnitude of migration of Western
Balkans citizens towards the EU: 2,979,766 Western
Balkans citizens migrated
- Number of first time asylum to the EU."
applications in the EU;
- Citizens found to be illegally present
in the EU;
- First time residence permits in the
EU.
 
Furthermore, in order to understand
the holistic impact of magnitude of
Western Balkans citizens’ migration to
the EU we have also analysed a number
of Western Balkans citizens that were
refused entry into the EU during 2008-
2018.

Overall, during the period 2008-2018, a

total of 2,979,766 Western Balkans
citizens migrated to the EU. 1,599,971
or 54%, did so legally by obtaining a
first time residence permit. 808,030
citizens or 27%, were found illegally
present in the EU; and 571,765 citizens
or 19%, applied for asylum.
Overall, migration of citizens of
Western Balkans countries to the EU is
within a margin of 6%-12% of their
population. However, there is one
country that is an outlier – Albania.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
During the period 2008-2018, a total "During 2008-2018, 44%
1,249,706 Albania citizens migrated to
of Albania population left
the EU. This represents 44% of Albania
2019 population. It is, almost, the the country. 16% were
number of citizens of the rest of the found to be illegally
region, who migrated to the EU, put present in the EU – this is
together. more than the number of
Albania leads the region, by far, in all
citizens of all other
three categories of migration. It is in countries put together."
particular important to notice that
during 2008-2018, a total of 451,015
citizens of Albania were found to be
illegally present in the EU – this is more
than the number of citizens of all other
countries put together. To put it
differently, 16% of Albania population
were found to be present illegally in the
EU during 2008-2018. Albania also led
the region with 622,171 citizens who
received first time residence permit in
the EU, which represents 39% of the
entire region.
"During 2008-2018,
 
Furthermore, Albania led the region in 332,470 Western Balkans
the number of entry refusals in the EU. citizens were refused
During 2008-2018, 332,470 Western entry into the EU. 170,450
Balkans citizens were refused entry
of them were from
into the EU. 170,450 of them were
from Albania. This is more than the
Albania. This is more than
citizens of the entire region put the citizens of the entire
together.   region put together."
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Kosovo comes second in the region "Although, there was a
with regard to the overall scale of
considerable drop in
migration, with 529,647 citizens, or
30% of population, whereas on the migration numbers in 2016
other end of spectrum, is Montenegro and 2017, an upward trend
with 36,089 citizens who migrated was noted again in 2018
to the EU, or 6% of population.
with a second peak that
Peak of Western Balkans citizen’s
reached 325,250."
migration to the EU was reached in
2015 with a total of 425,385 citizens.
Although, there was a considerable
drop in numbers in 2016 and 2017, an
upward trend was noted again in 2018
with a second peak that reached
325,250.
 
Who is taking a
At the EU level, Germany and France toll?
are taking a toll in the number of
asylum applications, with 83,880, and
First time
41,885, respectively. Whereas, when it
asylum
applications
comes to Western Balkans citizens that
are found to be illegally present in the
Found illegally
EU, Greece and Germany are taking the present in the
toll with 280,850, and 52,220, EU
respectively.
  First time
Italy with 308,252, and Greece with residence
224,129 led the way in the number of permits
residence permits issued to the citizens
of the Western Balkans. Entry refusals
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Furthermore, Greece and Italy
championed also the largest number of
entries refusal, with 75,540 and 31,230,
respectively.
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT MIGRATED FROM
WESTERN BALKANS TO THE EU 2008-2018, BY COUNTRY

Number of first time asylum applications in the EU + Citizens found to be

illegally present in the EU + First time residence permits in the EU
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT MIGRATED FROM WESTERN
BALKANS TO THE EU 2008-2018, BY SHARE OF POPULATION

Number of first time asylum applications in the EU + Citizens found to be

illegally present in the EU + First time residence permits in the EU

%
%
%
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT MIGRATED FROM
WESTERN BALKANS TO THE EU 2008-2018, BY YEAR

Number of first time asylum applications in the EU + Citizens found to be

illegally present in the EU + First time residence permits in the EU
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT MIGRATED FROM WESTERN
BALKANS TO THE EU 2008-2018, BY TYPE OF MIGRATION

Number of first time asylum applications in the EU + Citizens found to be

illegally present in the EU + First time residence permits in the EU
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT MIGRATED TO THE EU
2008-2018, BY TYPE OF MIGRATION
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT MIGRATED TO THE EU
2008-2018, BY TYPE OF MIGRATION
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT MIGRATED TO THE EU
2008-2018, BY TYPE OF MIGRATION
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT MIGRATED TO THE EU
2008-2018, BY TYPE OF MIGRATION
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT MIGRATED TO THE EU
2008-2018, BY TYPE OF MIGRATION
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT MIGRATED TO THE EU
2008-2018, BY TYPE OF MIGRATION
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT MIGRATED TO THE EU
2008-2018, BY COUNTRY

Number of first time asylum applications

in the EU + Citizens found to be illegally
present in the EU + First time residence
permits in the EU
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT MIGRATED TO THE EU
2008-2018, BY COUNTRY

Number of first time asylum applications

in the EU + Citizens found to be illegally
present in the EU + First time residence
permits in the EU
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT MIGRATED TO THE EU
2008-2018, BY COUNTRY

Number of first time asylum applications

in the EU + Citizens found to be illegally
present in the EU + First time residence
permits in the EU
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT MIGRATED TO THE EU
2008-2018, BY COUNTRY

Number of first time asylum applications

in the EU + Citizens found to be illegally
present in the EU + First time residence
permits in the EU
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT MIGRATED TO THE EU
2008-2018, BY COUNTRY

Number of first time asylum applications

in the EU + Citizens found to be illegally
present in the EU + First time residence
permits in the EU
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT MIGRATED TO THE EU
2008-2018, BY COUNTRY

Number of first time asylum applications

in the EU + Citizens found to be illegally
present in the EU + First time residence
permits in the EU
FIRST TIME ASYLUM APPLICATIONS FROM THE
WESTERN BALKANS IN THE EU 2008-2018

During the period 20018-2018, a total of 571,765 first time

asylum applications were made by the citizens of the Western
Balkans in the EU.

Albania led the region with 176,520 first time applicants.

Montenegro was the country that saw the smallest number of
applications, with 10,550 first time applications.
 
Year 2015 marked a peak in the number of first time applications,
whereas 2008 marked the lowest number of asylum applications.
 
EU countries that received the highest number of asylum
applications were: Germany (83,880) and France (41,885).
TOTAL NUMBER OF FIRST TIME ASYLUM APPLICATIONS FROM
THE WESTERN BALKANS IN THE EU 2008-2018, BY COUNTRY

08
TOTAL NUMBER OF FIRST TIME ASYLUM APPLICATIONS FROM
THE WESTERN BALKANS IN THE EU 2008-2018, BY YEAR

08
TOTAL NUMBER OF FIRST TIME ASYLUM APPLICATIONS IN
THE EU 2008-2018
TOTAL NUMBER OF FIRST TIME ASYLUM APPLICATIONS IN
THE EU 2008-2018
TOTAL NUMBER OF FIRST TIME ASYLUM APPLICATIONS IN
THE EU 2008-2018
TOTAL NUMBER OF FIRST TIME ASYLUM APPLICATIONS IN
THE EU 2008-2018
TOTAL NUMBER OF FIRST TIME ASYLUM APPLICATIONS IN
THE EU 2008-2018
TOTAL NUMBER OF FIRST TIME ASYLUM APPLICATIONS IN
THE EU 2008-2018
WESTERN BALKANS CITIZENS FOUND TO BE
ILLEGALLY PRESENT IN THE EU 2008-2018

During the period 2008-2018, a total of 808,030 Western

Balkans citizens were found to be illegally present in the EU.

Albania led the region with 451,015 citizens, which is more then all
of the rest of the region put together. To put it differently, 16%
of Albania population were found to be present illegally in the EU
during 2008-2018. Montenegro was the country that saw the
smallest number of citizens to be found illegally present in the EU,
with only 6,125.
 
Year 2008 marked a peak in the number of Western Balkans
citizens found to be illegally present in the EU, whereas 2011
marked the lowest number.
 
EU countries where most of the Western Balkans citizens were
found to be illegally present in the EU were: Greece (280,850) and
Germany (52,220).
TOTAL NUMBER OF WESTERN BALKANS CITIZENS FOUND TO
BE ILLEGALLY PRESENT IN THE EU 2008-2018, BY COUNTRY
TOTAL NUMBER OF WESTERN BALKANS CITIZENS FOUND TO
BE ILLEGALLY PRESENT IN THE EU 2008-2018, BY YEAR

08
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS FOUND TO BE ILLEGALLY
PRESENT IN THE EU 2008-2018
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS FOUND TO BE ILLEGALLY
PRESENT IN THE EU 2008-2018
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS FOUND TO BE ILLEGALLY
PRESENT IN THE EU 2008-2018
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS FOUND TO BE ILLEGALLY
PRESENT IN THE EU 2008-2018
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS FOUND TO BE ILLEGALLY
PRESENT IN THE EU 2008-2018
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS FOUND TO BE ILLEGALLY
PRESENT IN THE EU 2008-2018
FIRST TIME RESIDENCE PERMITS FROM THE
WESTERN BALKANS IN THE EU 2008-2018

During the period 20018-2018, a total of 1,599,971 first time

residence permits were granted to the citizens of the Western
Balkans in the EU 2008-2018.

Albania led the region with 622,171 citizens who received first
time residence permit in the EU, which represents 39% of the
entire region. On the other end of spectrum, Montenegro was the
country that saw the smallest number of citizens that were
granted residence permit in the EU, with only 19,414.
 
Year 2008 marked a peak in the number of Western Balkans
citizens who were granted residents permits in the EU, whereas
2013 marked the lowest number.
 
EU countries that granted the largest number of residence
permits were: Italy (308,252) and Greece (224,129).
TOTAL NUMBER OF FIRST TIME RESIDENCE PERMITS FROM
THE WESTERN BALKANS IN THE EU 2008-2018, BY COUNTRY

08
TOTAL NUMBER OF FIRST TIME RESIDENCE PERMITS FROM
THE WESTERN BALKANS IN THE EU 2008-2018, BY YEAR
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT WERE GRANTED FIRST
TIME RESIDENCE PERMITS IN THE EU 2008-2018
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT WERE GRANTED FIRST
TIME RESIDENCE PERMITS IN THE EU 2008-2018
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT WERE GRANTED FIRST
TIME RESIDENCE PERMITS IN THE EU 2008-2018
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT WERE GRANTED FIRST
TIME RESIDENCE PERMITS IN THE EU 2008-2018
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT WERE GRANTED FIRST
TIME RESIDENCE PERMITS IN THE EU 2008-2018
TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT WERE GRANTED FIRST
TIME RESIDENCE PERMITS IN THE EU 2008-2018

08
WESTERN BALKANS CITIZENS REFUSED ENTRY
INTO THE EU 2008-2018

During the period 20018-2018, a total of 332,470 Western

Balkans citizens were refused entry into the EU 2008-2018.

Citizens of Albania led the region with 170,450 citizens who were
refused the entry, which is more than the entire region combined.
On the other end of spectrum, citizens of Montenegro witnessed
the smallest number of entry refusals, with only 3,725.
 
Year 2017 marked a peak in entry refusals for the Western
Balkans citizens, whereas 2008 marked the lowest number of
refusals.
 
EU countries that refused the largest number of entries were:
Greece (75,540) and Italy (31,230).

THE GREATER EUROPE 45

TOTAL NUMBER OF WESTERN BALKANS CITIZENS REFUSED
ENTRY AT THE EXTERNAL BORDER OF THE EU 2008-2018, BY
COUNTRY

THE GREATER EUROPE 45

TOTAL NUMBER OF WESTERN BALKANS CITIZENS REFUSED
ENTRY AT THE EXTERNAL BORDER OF THE EU 2008-2018, BY
YEAR

THE GREATER EUROPE 45

TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT WERE REFUSED ENTRY
AT THE EXTERNAL BORDER OF THE EU 2008-2018

THE GREATER EUROPE 45

TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT WERE REFUSED ENTRY
AT THE EXTERNAL BORDER OF THE EU 2008-2018

THE GREATER EUROPE 45

TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT WERE REFUSED ENTRY
AT THE EXTERNAL BORDER OF THE EU 2008-2018

THE GREATER EUROPE 45

TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT WERE REFUSED ENTRY
AT THE EXTERNAL BORDER OF THE EU 2008-2018

THE GREATER EUROPE 45

TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT WERE REFUSED ENTRY
AT THE EXTERNAL BORDER OF THE EU 2008-2018

THE GREATER EUROPE 45

TOTAL NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT WERE REFUSED ENTRY
AT THE EXTERNAL BORDER OF THE EU 2008-2018

THE GREATER EUROPE 45

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EUROPEAN POLICY INSTITUTE OF KOSOVO, 2019.
PUBLIC DOMAIN. NO RIGHTS RESERVED :)