Canada–Albania Social Security Agreement

Summary#

This proclamation gives official notice that the Agreement on Social Security between Canada and the Republic of Albania comes into force on August 1, 2022. It lets the two countries coordinate certain pension and social security rules so time worked or lived in one country can count toward benefits in the other.

What it does#

• Announces that the Agreement on Social Security between Canada and the Republic of Albania is in force as of August 1, 2022.
• Applies Canada’s federal retirement and disability programs — including the Old Age Security Act and the Canada Pension Plan — together with Albania’s social insurance laws for old-age, invalidity and survivors’ benefits.
• Lets people “totalize” (combine) periods of contribution, work, or residence in Canada and Albania so they can meet minimum eligibility rules for benefits.
• Sets rules on where contributions apply for workers who move between the countries (including detached workers and crew members).
• Provides for payment rules, exchange of information, administrative cooperation, and protection of confidentiality between the two countries.

Who's affected#

• People who have lived, worked, or paid social security contributions in both Canada and the Republic of Albania.
• People applying for or receiving benefits under the Old Age Security Act or the Canada Pension Plan, who also have coverage history in Albania.
• Employers and workers who move between the two countries (for example, short-term assignments or detachments).
• Government institutions that administer pensions and social security in both countries.
  If it’s unclear whether the Agreement helps a specific person, their pension authority can confirm how the rules apply.

Why it matters#

• It can help people qualify for pensions by combining work or residence periods from both countries. That matters if a person doesn’t have enough credits in one country alone.
• It can make benefit claims and payments smoother across borders through formal cooperation and information sharing.
• It reduces the risk of losing social security protection when moving between Canada and Albania, and clarifies which country’s rules apply to particular kinds of work.
• The Agreement also sets processes for resolving disputes and for handling detached workers, which affects employers and employees who cross the two countries.