The forgotten teachers: A 12-month salary that is not enough, while the EU rewards twice

By: Matilda Kurti

In our country, teachers with 15 years of experience in secondary education work with passion, dedication, and a strong sense of responsibility for future generations. But the financial reality they face is shocking. The average gross monthly salary, around 100,000 lek, is barely enough for survival, with no year-end bonus and no compensation for commuting from their place of residence, which previously existed but has now been removed.

At the same time, in most European Union countries, teachers with similar experience not only earn much higher salaries but also receive extra bonuses. In Luxembourg, a secondary school teacher earns around €95,000 gross per year and receives 14 payments, including summer and winter bonuses.

In Austria, Portugal, and Spain, extra salaries during summer vacations and at the end of the year are mandatory, making teaching a valuable and motivating profession. The comparison is painful: while an Albanian teacher works 12 months without a year-end bonus, colleagues in the EU receive bonuses equivalent to two extra salaries, giving them the ability to live with dignity, cover living costs, and focus on teaching.

This sends a clear signal: our salary system does not value the professionalism and dedication of teachers, and the removal of the 13th salary, as well as the commuting allowance, worsens the situation. Compared to the EU, where teacher bonuses are regular and guaranteed, the loss for Albanian teachers is not only financial but also moral and a barrier to the development of education.

At a time when every EU country invests in education and encourages teachers with bonuses and rewards, Albania must rethink its policy: teachers cannot be the pillars that hold the system together without fair compensation. This is not just about salary; it is a matter of professional dignity and the future of our children.

Conclusion: A 12-month salary cannot compete with EU standards. Albania urgently needs to reinstate the year-end bonus, reconsider commuting compensation, and create a system that motivates, not demotivates, its teachers.

Below is a salary comparison table:

Luxembourg ~ €95,000 – 14 payments, 2 extra payments: summer and winter (vacations and year-end)

Germany ~ €60,000–€65,000 – 12–13 payments, most receive a year-end bonus (13th) or even for summer vacations in some areas

France ~ €53,000 – 12 payments, year-end bonus usually included in December salary

Austria ~ €65,000 – 14 payments, 2 extra payments (summer and winter)

Portugal ~ €33,000 – 14 payments, summer and winter bonuses

Spain ~ €36,000 – 14 payments, summer and winter bonuses

Finland ~ €48,000 – 12 payments, usually 1 year-end bonus

“KORÇA BOOM”