Former NYC Mayor Eric Adams. Credit: Marc A. Hermann / MTA / CC BY 2.0
Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams has become a citizen of Albania by a special presidential decree, adding an unexpected milestone to his post-political life.
Albanian President Bajram Begaj signed the decree at Adams’ own request. Albanian media reported the development first. Spokesman Todd Shapiro confirmed that Eric Adams received Albanian citizenship voluntarily, describing him as a longstanding friend of the Albanian-American community.
Shapiro also said the honor reflects a relationship built on mutual respect and that it deepens the ties between New York City and Albania.
The roots of that relationship go back to Adams’ time in office. He organized three flag-raising ceremonies for Albania at City Hall and hosted a celebration of Albanian culture at Gracie Mansion.
Adams regularly noted that New York is home to around 40,000 Albanian residents, which he called the largest Albanian expatriate community anywhere in the world. He often described New York as the American version of Albania, a comparison he extended to other cities, including Athens, Kyiv, Seoul, and Istanbul.
How Eric Adams became a citizen of Albania
The connection also involves his family. His son, Jordan Coleman, competed on Albania’s equivalent of American Idol in 2022.
Adams recalled his son calling him from the country and saying he loved it so much he was not sure he wanted to come back. The son, Adams said, repeatedly encouraged him to fly the Albanian flag.
Honored to accept honorary Albanian citizenship, not just as a personal distinction, but as a reflection of the deep and lasting bond between New York City and the Albanian people.
NYC is home to one of the strongest Albanian communities in America, hardworking, proud, and… pic.twitter.com/cDiHABY9ke
— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) April 10, 2026
After withdrawing from the mayoral race, Adams traveled to Albania in October and met with Prime Minister Edi Rama and cabinet officials to discuss business and tourism. The Albanian government covered part of the trip’s cost. Adams described the visit as an effort to build a lasting friendship across borders.
What he plans to do with the citizenship remains unclear. In earlier years, he spoke about retiring in Baku and in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Personal ties, an October visit, and unanswered questions
His international travel had already drawn legal scrutiny. Federal prosecutors accused him of accepting free flights, luxury hotel stays, and illegal campaign donations linked to Turkish nationals. Adams denied all charges.
The case was dropped by President Donald Trump’s Justice Department under circumstances that drew public attention. Afterward, Adams held discussions with Trump administration officials regarding a possible ambassadorship, but no appointment was made.
Since leaving office, Adams has visited Dubai and the Democratic Republic of Congo and has mentioned a business trip to Senegal. Earlier this year, he released a cryptocurrency coin he said was aimed at countering antisemitism and anti-Americanism. Its value fell sharply not long after launch.