The history of Albanian postage stamps began on May 5, 1913, when the government of Ismail Qemali launched an extensive stamp issuance program. Since then, Albanian philately has reflected national identity while offering a clear insight into the country’s history and culture.

The development of the Albanian postal service and philately has followed a long and complex path. The period from Albania’s liberation through the 1990s provides a particularly informative overview of the evolution of stamp design and production.

This era stands out for the quantity and variety of stamps issued, many of which carried political and ideological messages. After 1990 and the start of democratic reforms, despite the difficulties of transition, the General Directorate of the Albanian Postal Service made notable efforts to expand themes, reduce political influence, and improve print quality, reaching a consistently high standard.