URA Albania , Date: 05/01/2026, format: Article, area: Return

The reintegration project "URA Albania", financed by the state and the federal states, supports returnees immediately after their arrival in Albania and offers personal and trustworthy support and a wide range of consulting and non-cash benefits in the often challenging initial phase.

The project is financed by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and eleven federal states and implemented by the German Society for International Cooperation (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, GIZ) GmbH for sustainable reintegration practices in respect of those returning to the country.

Support services

The support is based on the individual needs of the returnees and can include the following services:

Free advice and support services:

• Reception and needs-based initial orientation at the airport
• Social counselling
• Psychological care
• Employment counselling and job placement measures

Financial reintegration support in the form of benefits in kind:

• Emergency aid:
  • Bridging allowance (one-off payment in cash)
  • Subsidy for transport costs
  • Medical grant
  • Rent subsidy
  • Set-up and renovation allowance
• Employment promotion measures, such as covering the costs of language courses, theoretical training, theoretical and practical training allowances, wage subsidies, and childcare for working parents
• Support services for starting a business (training costs, training allowances, tools or equipment, start-up funds for promising business ideas (only in the case of voluntary return))
• Special funding for particularly vulnerable people:
  • Bridging allowance (one-off payment in cash)
  • Subsidy for transport costs
  • Medical grant
  • Rent subsidy
  • Set-up and renovation allowance
  • Psychological support especially for children
  • Language courses for children
  • Tutoring for children
  • Basic equipment for school children
  • Financing of club memberships and leisure activities for children
  • Assumption of childcare costs for mothers and single parents

Eligibility criteria

The "URA Albania" project is operated on a year-by-year basis, currently runing until 31 December 2026. Once this period has come to an end, the project can be extended for another year.

In addition, the following criteria apply for financial support:

• Minimum stay of three months in Germany: People who are interested in funding through the bridge component must have stayed in Germany for at least three consecutive months immediately before their return.

• Registration deadline:

  • interested persons can either submit a registration via the BAMF at least five days before leaving Germany
  • or apply for assistance in person at the bridge component office within eight weeks of their return to Albania.

In order to optimally prepare for your return, it is recommended that you register before leaving the country.

Registration

You can either pre-register via a return counselling centre or register in person at the project office after your departure.

Pre-registration:

• To ensure that your return and arrival are well prepared, it is best to register at least 5 days before your departure, without obligation.
• To do so, contact a return counselling centre in your area.
• Your return counsellor will fill out the registration form (see download area) with you during a counselling session.
• The return counsellor will send the registration form signed by you by e-mail to the following address: Brueckenkomponente@bamf.bund.de
• The registration will be processed and then forwarded to the URA team in Tirana.
• After your arrival, you will report in person to the project office of the URA team in Tirana.
• Please note that the non-binding pre-registration does not automatically entitle you to benefits under URA. A final decision on eligibility and the type and scope of any funding will only be made during a consultation at the URA office.

On-site registration:

• You can also register in person at the project office in Tirana within 8 weeks of your return.
• Once your details have been registered, we will check whether you meet the requirements for financial support.
• Please ensure you bring your passport documents and, if applicable, proof of departure with you.

Further procedure:

During personal consultations and home visits, social workers will work with you to identify your individual reintegration needs.

Based on your needs, the team will work with you to develop a tailor-made reintegration plan. This may include various counselling and material benefits mentioned above.

The amount of financial assistance (if the eligibility criteria are met) is based on the following amounts: 

• Voluntary returnees: up to EUR 750 per person/EUR 3,750 per family
• Repatriated persons: up to EUR 700 per person/EUR 3,500 per family

Please note that there is no legal entitlement to receive support.

Important recommendations for preparation:

In order to prepare for your return in the best possible way and to quickly initiate the first steps of the reintegration process, we recommend that you apply for or pack the following documents before you leave:

• International birth certificate certified with an apostille for children born in Germany (for registration in the Albanian social security system)
• Border crossing certificate, if available (GÜB)
• Air or bus tickets
• If applicable, work references, school reports, other proof of qualifications
• If applicable, other documents, e.g. regarding social security benefits, wage statements, salary statements, etc.

Contact details

You can find information about "URA Albania", as part of return advisory services, or by calling the Federal Office's returnees' hotline.