Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been awarded citizenship by the Republic of Albania. The status was conferred through a special presidential decree, which also grants him an Albanian passport.
The decision was formally published in the nation’s official government journal. A statement from Adams’s office confirmed the development, characterizing it as a reflection of a strong bilateral relationship.
Adams visited Albania for several days in late 2025, near the conclusion of his single term as mayor. During the trip, he met with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to discuss potential collaborations in tourism and technology. Adams also publicly praised the capital city of Tirana and expressed support for establishing a direct flight between New York and Albania.
Adams served as mayor from 2022 through 2025. He did not seek re-election as a Democrat amid a since-dismissed federal corruption investigation. After a brief independent campaign, he withdrew from the race and endorsed another candidate. The election was ultimately won by Zohran Mamdani, who became the city’s first Muslim mayor.
Separately, Adams is currently defending himself against a civil lawsuit alleging a sexual assault from 1993, which he has strongly denied. The city’s law department under the new administration has moved to cease its legal representation of Adams in that matter.
According to Albanian legal provisions, foreign nationals can be granted immediate citizenship if it is deemed to serve the national interest, provided they present no public safety risk. In a statement, a representative for Adams described the citizenship as a diplomatic honor that strengthens ties between New York and Albania.
