Kosovo*

The Republic of Kosovo*, with a population of 1,585,590 in 2024, is characterized by a predominantly young demographic and high emigration rates. Between 2017 and 2024, net migration was negative in all but one year (2020), with the sharpest population loss recorded in 2021. Although the decline has since slowed, outward migration continues to drive overall population decrease.

Past emigration waves have created a sizeable Kosovar diaspora. National estimates from 2023 indicate that 359,244 Kosovars – about 22.6% of  the population –  lived abroad. Within the EU alone, Kosovars held 416,484 valid residence permits at the end of 2023 (in comparison to 408,987 in 2022 and 381,581 in 2021), with Germany, Italy and Slovenia being the top issuers. Switzerland, the United States and the UK are also major destinations for Kosovar emigrants. Family reunification, employment and education remain the main reasons for emigration, primarily to EU and EFTA countries. Geographic proximity, better wages, stronger labour protection, and access to quality healthcare and education remain the key pull factors of migration to the EU+ countries.

According to the Kosovo Agency of Statistics, an estimated 37,451 residents (2.4% of population) emigrated from Kosovo in 2024. The number of first residence permits issued to Kosovars in the EU has risen steadily, reaching 48,937 in 2023 (in comparison to 46,965 in 2022 and 43,636 in 2021), with most issued for family reasons (23,732), followed by employment (19,021), and education (1,357). Germany and Italy granted over half of all family-related permits, while most work-related permits were primarily issued by Germany (7,662), Slovenia (4,307) and Croatia (4,045). The growing labour emigration continues to drive up the flow of remittances. In 2023, remittances to Kosovo amounted to 1,335.8 million euros (13.8% of the GDP), marking a 9.9% increase from 2022 (1,223 million euros) and 67% increase from 2018 (800 million euros). The three main countries of origin for remittances remained unchanged, led by Germany with 38.2% of total remittances, Switzerland with 18.8% and the US with 7.3%. In 2023, 3,098 Kosovars renounced their citizenship to acquire German (81%), Austrian (13.3%) or Slovenian (3%) passports.

Alongside regular migration, irregular movements to and asylum application in the EU have also grown. The number of Kosovars found to be illegally present in the Union rose by 27%, from 4,265 persons in 2023 to 5,415 persons in 2024, and up 36% compared to 2022. Most cases were recorded in Germany (52%), followed by Italy (15%), Hungary (8%) and France (7%). Since 2021, detections have increased in Germany and Italy but declined in France. Of the estimated 2,910 Kosovars ordered to leave in 2024, 1,775 persons were returned. France issued the most removal orders (37.5%), while Germany carried out the highest number of returns (30%). Asylum applications of Kosovars in the EU have climbed from 1,515 first time applications in 2020 to a peak of 5,635 applications in 2024, with more than half of them in France and 30% in Germany. The 143.9% surge from 2023 to 2024 may be linked to visa liberalisation introduced in January 2024. In response, Kosovo has initiated information-sharing with EU Member States, strengthened awareness campaigns on Schengen rules, and increased bilateral cooperation with affected EU MS. It has also been included to the EU list of “safe countries of origin” to speed up asylum decisions. 

Compared to out-migration, immigration to Kosovo remains modest but has been rising steadily in recent years. In 2023, the country recorded an estimated 5,846 immigrants, most of them returned or readmitted Kosovo nationals, while 1,262 were foreign nationals. During the same year, foreigners received 6,785 temporary residence permits –  7.8% more than in 2022 –  continuing the upward trend observed since 2020. The largest share of permits was granted to the nationals of Türkiye (25%), followed by Serbia (19%), Albania (16%), Bangladesh (11%), and North Macedonia (9%). Over half (54%) of these permits were issued for employment purposes, followed by family reunification (36%), and  education (8%). Labour shortages caused by the large-scale emigration of Kosovars have driven growing demand for foreign workers, particularly in the construction sector. While Turkish nationals remained the largest group of foreign workers in 2023, holding over 1,000 temporary work permits, labour migration from Bangladesh has surged dramatically – from as few as four permits in 2021 to over 700 permits in 2023 – making Bangladeshis the second-largest group of temporary workers after Turks.

In contrast to rising regular migration, Kosovo has seen a sharp decline in irregular border crossings – from 2,564 in 2020 to 634 in 2023 –  reflecting shifts in migration routes and the country’s reduced role as a transit point toward the EU. Asylum applications in Kosovo have followed the same downward trend, falling from 1,410 in 2020 to only 179 in 2023, a drop of 67% compared to 2022. Most applicants came from Syria, Morocco, Palestine, Iraq, and Libya, mirroring the countries of origin for irregular migration. In previous years, the high number of asylum applications was largely driven by families fleeing conflict zones in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, but  by 2023 these were no longer considered active war zones. The opening of the Temporary Migrant Reception Centre in 2023 also contributed to the decline in asylum applications enabling better profiling and screening of new arrivals. Of the applications processed in 2023, 13% were granted refugee status, 11% subsidiary protection, and 9% temporary protection.

The issue of trafficking for sexual and labour exploitation remains a government priority in Kosovo. Between 2018 and 2022, eleven victims of trafficking were identified, mostly women and children, often from marginalised communities. In 2023, two migrants were recognised as victims of human trafficking, returned to their country of origin, and provided support under the Standard Operating Procedure for victims of trafficking. In 2024, the government improved victim support services, increasing shelter funding, and extending the reflection period for alleged victims.

Aiming to improve its migration management, Kosovo adopted a new National Migration Strategy 2021-2025 to ensure effective, coordinated, and sustainable migration governance that benefits both migrants and national development, while aligning with EU standards and human rights principles. Its Action Plan was revised and approved in June 2024. On 15 March 2024, the government submitted the draft law ‘On Foreigners’ to the Assembly. The law defines residence permit types and related procedures, introduces new concepts and obligations for foreigners and employers, and is awaiting adoption by the Assembly.

International cooperation remains central to Kosovo’s European path. The EU-facilitated Dialogue on the normalisation with Serbia continues as a key requirement under the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans. Kosovo has readmission agreements with 24 countries, including 20 EU and Schengen states, with negotiations concluded in 2024 on an agreement with Lithuania. However, there is currently no readmission agreement with the EU. Border demarcation is complete with North Macedonia but pending with Montenegro, while discussions continue on green-blue border monitoring with Serbia. Significant progress has been made in joint patrols with the Albanian and North Macedonian police, as well as in synchronized patrols with the police of Montenegro. The short-term goal is to adopt and implement an agreement on cross-border police cooperation with Montenegro.

In 2022, Kosovo and the European Union Asylum Agency signed a roadmap for cooperation aimed at strengthening of the asylum and reception system in line with the Common European Asylum System and relevant EU standards. In March 2024, its implementation deadline was extended by one year to complete outstanding objectives.