Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams has secured citizenship and a passport from Albania through a special presidential decree, according to reports emerging Friday from the Balkan nation.
The Albania Daily News broke the story, noting that Adams formally requested both citizenship and travel documents. Albanian President Bajram Begaj granted the request by special decree, a move that was subsequently published in the nation's official government journal. Euronews Albania independently confirmed the development.
The move comes months after Adams visited Albania and offered public praise for the country during his trip. His acquisition of citizenship marks an unusual honor for a prominent American political figure and reflects what appears to be a strengthened relationship between the former mayor and the Eastern European nation.
The decision to grant citizenship by presidential decree rather than through standard naturalization procedures underscores the significance accorded to Adams by Albanian leadership. Such decrees typically signal government recognition of an individual's contributions or importance to bilateral relations.
Adams stepped down as New York City mayor in 2025 after navigating significant legal challenges during his tenure. His pursuit of Albanian citizenship represents one of his notable moves since leaving office and suggests he may be cultivating connections outside the United States.
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