Eric Adams at the New York Board of Rabbis Humanitarian Award Reception on March 9.
Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images
Eric Adams has a well-documented penchant for travel, having made trips to places like Senegal, Cuba, and Turkey during his time as Brooklyn borough president, with his connection to the latter nation later evolving into a federal corruption case that was eventually dropped but marred his time in City Hall. But several outlets have reported that Adams has recently deepened his ties with one nation in particular: Albania.
The Albanian Daily News reports that the former mayor has officially been granted Albanian citizenship and issued an Albanian passport. According to the outlet, Adams’s new citizenship was approved by special decree by Albanian president Bajram Begaj. Euronews Albania echoed the same report with no additional details into how Adams’s alleged new citizenship came to be.
The news appears to have been documented in Albania’s official government journal, which published a decree stating that citizenship had been granted to “Eric L. Leroy Adams” at his request. The New York Daily News obtained an English translation of the document:
So far, Adams himself hasn’t publicly commented on whether he has obtained Albanian citizenship, but a spokesman confirmed the news in a statement to ABC 7. “The decision by the Republic of Albania to grant Mayor Adams citizenship reflects that enduring relationship and mutual respect,” spokesman Todd Shapiro told the outlet. “Leaders around the world – including mayors and presidents – have historically been recognized with honorary or dual citizenships as a symbol of international partnership and shared values.”
Adams’ fondness for Albania is well-known. In 2025, shortly after Adams dropped his beleaguered reelection campaign, the then-mayor was spotted overseas taking a previously unannounced four-day trip to Albania during the waning months of his tenure. WNBC reported at the time that the trip was focused on discussing business and tourism opportunities for the city. During the trip, Adams met with Prime Minister Edi Rama and other officials in his Cabinet and talked about pushing for a direct flight between New York City and Albania. In an interview with a local news outlet, Adams invoked his favorite catchphrase comparing foreign nations to the state while explaining his decision to travel to Albania.
“New York is the Albania of America. We have one of the largest Albanian populations, and many times the Albanian New Yorkers have asked me to come and visit the country. So now this is an opportunity to do so,” Adams said.
