Visa liberalisation and labour migration: Legal and economic implications for Kosovo

Abstract

Throughout the years of Kosovo’s independence, the country has formed certain relations with neighbouring states and with Western Europe, but the significant simplification of the border crossing procedure with the Schengen area, which came into force on 1 January 2024, requires a review of the existing balances and the formation of up-to- date assessments of possible consequences. The study aims to predict the further development of Kosovo-EU relations in the context of migration processes. Statistical and retrospective analysis methods were used to study the key economic indicators of previous years regarding the prospects for the redistribution of labour resources. The study proves the positive development of the Kosovo economy by analysing such important economic indicators for previous years as gross domestic product, unemployment rate, net migration from Kosovo, average wages in the country, and the volume of remittances received by the economy from labour migrants working abroad. A dedicated study was conducted on Kosovo’s relations with its neighbouring countries – Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. In the context of labour migration processes, the experience of Kosovars working in these countries was assessed, and changes in labour market balances caused by visa liberalisation were predicted. Based on the data obtained and the conclusions drawn, a forecast was made regarding the economic and political consequences of visa-free travel for Kosovars: the prospect of working in the Schengen area will be used by those citizens of the Republic of Kosovo who are already working abroad, and there will be no significant outflow of the labour resources available in the country. The practical significance of the study lies in the modelling of further development of the labour market in Kosovo, which will be useful for managers of state-owned enterprises and large private employers in formulating their HR strategies