- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Banned
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Illegal
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✖ Banned
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✔ Illegal
- Employment Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Housing Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Adoption
- ✖ Single only
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✔ Full ban
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- ✔ Banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
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Public Opinion
Recent studies in Albania have revealed a prevalence of resistance towards LGBTQ+ rights.
OPPOSE
SUPPORT
History
Homosexual activity in Albania is legal.
Current status
Since Jun 1, 1995
Legal
The Penal Code passed on January 27, 1995 decriminalized consensual homosexual intercourse. Article 116 - the crime of "homosexuality" which punished homosexual intercourse when conducted forcefully, with minor people, or with persons unable to protect themselves has been completely repealed by amending the law from 2001.
Male illegal, female legal
The Penal Code adopted on June 15, 1977 criminalised 'pederasty' under Article 137 with deprivation of liberty for up to ten years.
Same-sex marriage in Albania is banned.
Current status
Since 2003
Banned
Albania does not legally recognize same-sex marriages, civil unions or domestic partnership benefits.
There is no definition of marriage in the 1998 Constitution.
Article 53: Everyone has the right to get married and have a family.... The entering into and dissolution of marriage are regulated by law."
In the Family Law from 2003, Article 7 reads: "Marriage can be concluded between a man and a woman who are 18 years or older." Article 163 states "Cohabitation is a factual union between a man and a woman."
There is no definition of marriage in the 1998 Constitution.
Article 53: Everyone has the right to get married and have a family.... The entering into and dissolution of marriage are regulated by law."
In the Family Law from 2003, Article 7 reads: "Marriage can be concluded between a man and a woman who are 18 years or older." Article 163 states "Cohabitation is a factual union between a man and a woman."
Censorship of LGBT issues in Albania is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship
In Albania, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Right to change legal gender in Albania is illegal.
Current status
Illegal
Law No. 10-129 on Civil Status of 2009 outlines the conditions required for changing legal gender. This can only be achieved if an error was made during the issuing of the birth certificate, not in cases of gender dysphoria or the receipt of gender-affirming care.
Gender-affirming care in Albania is banned.
Current status
Banned
There is currently no gender affirming care treatments offered to trans people in Albania.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Albania is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
Not legally recognized.
LGBT discrimination in Albania is illegal.
Current status
Since Mar 13, 2010
Illegal
On February 04, 2010, Albanian parliament approved a unified anti-discrimination law, known as the Law on Protection from Discrimination, which prohibits, among other categories, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics in all areas.
LGBT employment discrimination in Albania is sexual orientation and gender identity.
LGBT housing discrimination in Albania is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Same-sex adoption in Albania is single only.
Current status
Since Dec 21, 2003
Single only
There are no adoption restrictions for single people. Also, no laws in place for same-sex couples.
Intersex infant surgery in Albania is full ban.
Current status
Since Jul 26, 2020
Full ban
On July 26, 2020, the Ministry of Health published the Medical Protocol for the Assessment of Children with Atypical Genital Development. According to the protocol, surgical interventions will only be permitted in cases when it is required and all interventions should be done according to protocol, and not according to the parent’s wishes.
Until Jul 25, 2020
Parental approval required
It is left to the parents to decide on whether an intervention to assign particular sex would take place.
Blood donations by MSMs in Albania is legal.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 2008
Legal
There are no restrictions for blood donations by MSMs.
Conversion therapy in Albania is banned.
Current status
Since May 16, 2020
Banned
Albania's order of psychologists has banned so-called "conversion therapy". To legally practice as a therapist in Albania you must be a member of and follow the rules of Albania's order of psychologists.
Until May 16, 2020
Not banned
Before Albania's order of psychologists made the move to ban conversion therapy, the practice was legal.
LGBT Rights by District
View the LGBT laws in each individual district of Albania.
- Berat
- Bulqizë
- Delvinë
- Devoll
- Dibër
- Durrës
- Elbasan
- Fier
- Gjirokastër
- Gramsh
- Has
- Kavajë
- Kolonjë
- Korçë
- Krujë
- Kukës
- Kurbin
- Kuçovë
- Lezhë
- Librazhd
- Lushnjë
- Mallakastër
- Malësi e Madhe
- Mat
- Mirditë
- Peqin
- Pogradec
- Pukë
- Përmet
- Sarandë
- Shkodër
- Skrapar
- Tepelenë
- Tiranë
- Tropojë
- Vlorë
- Berat (County)
- Dibër (County)
- Durrës (County)
- Elbasan (County)
- Fier (County)
- Gjirokastër (County)
- Korçë (County)
- Kukës (County)
- Lezhë (County)
- Shkodër (County)
- Tiranë (County)
- Vlorë (County)
Equality Rank
#86
Interest Rank based on Equaldex traffic ?
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Alternative names: Shqipëria (local name)
