World Factbook
Kosovo
Republika e Kosoves (Albanian)/ Republika Kosovo (Serbian)
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: a dark blue field with a gold-colored silhouette of Kosovo in the center, with six five-pointed white stars in a slight arc over it meaning: each star represents one of the major ethnic groups of Kosovo: Albanians, Serbs, Turks, Gorani, Roma, and Bosniaks
note: one of two national flags that uses a map as a design element; the flag of Cyprus is the other
Capital
name
Pristina (Prishtine, Prishtina)
etymology
the town takes its name from the river; the origin of the river's name is unclear but could come from a pre-Slavic language
time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
geographic coordinates
42 40 N, 21 10 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Kosovo
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
history
previous 1974, 1990; latest (post-independence) draft finalized 2 April 2008, signed 7 April 2008, ratified 9 April 2008, entered into force 15 June 2008
amendment process
proposed by the government, by the president of the republic, or by one fourth of Assembly deputies; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly, including two-thirds majority vote of deputies representing non-majority communities, followed by a favorable Constitutional Court assessment
Country name
etymology
name may derive from the Serbian word kos , meaning "blackbird," or from a personal name
local long form
Republika e Kosoves (Albanian)/ Republika Kosovo (Serbian)
local short form
Kosove (Albanian)/ Kosovo (Serbian)
conventional long form
Republic of Kosovo
conventional short form
Kosovo
Independence
17 February 2008 (from Serbia)
Legal system
civil law system
Government type
parliamentary republic
Judicial branch
note
note: in 2015, the Kosovo Assembly approved a constitutional amendment that established the Kosovo Relocated Specialist Judicial Institution, also referred to as the Kosovo Specialist Chambers or "Special Court"; the court, located at the Hague in the Netherlands, began operating in 2016 and has jurisdiction to try crimes against humanity, war crimes, and other crimes under Kosovo law that occurred in the 1998-2000 period
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the court president and 18 judges and organized into Appeals Panel of the Kosovo Property Agency and Special Chamber); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 7 judges)
subordinate courts
Court of Appeals (organized into 4 departments: General, Serious Crime, Commercial Matters, and Administrative Matters); Basic Court (located in 7 municipalities, each with several branches)
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court judges nominated by the Kosovo Judicial Council, a 13-member independent body staffed by judges and lay members, and also responsible for overall administration of Kosovo's judicial system; judges appointed by the president of the Republic of Kosovo; judges appointed until mandatory retirement age; Constitutional Court judges nominated by the Kosovo Assembly and appointed by the president of the republic to serve single, 9-year terms
Executive branch
note
note: Prime Minister Albin KURTI resigned on 15 April 2025; a replacement has not yet been selected
cabinet
Cabinet elected by the Assembly
chief of state
President Vjosa OSMANI-Sadriu (since 4 April 2021)
election results
2021: Vjosa OSMANI-Sadriu elected president in third ballot; Assembly vote - Vjosa OSMANI-Sadriu (Guxo!) 71 votes; Albin KURTI (LVV) elected prime minister; Assembly vote - 67 for, 30 against 2017: Ramush HARADINAJ (AAK) elected prime minister; Assembly vote - 61 for, 1 abstention, 0 against (opposition boycott) 2016: Hashim THACI elected president in third ballot; Assembly vote - Hashim THACI (PDK) 71 votes
head of government
Acting Prime Minister Albin KURTI (since 15 April 2025)
most recent election date
3-4 April 2021
election/appointment process
president indirectly elected for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term) by at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly; if a candidate does not reach this threshold in the first two ballots, the candidate winning a simple majority vote in the third ballot is elected; prime minister indirectly elected by the Assembly
expected date of next election
2026
National holiday
Independence Day, 17 February (2008)
National color(s)
blue, gold, white
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Medieval Monuments in Kosovo
Political parties
Alliance for the Future of Kosovo or AAK Ashkali Party for Integration or PAI Civic Initiative for Freedom, Justice, and Survival Democratic League of Kosovo or LDK Democratic Party of Kosovo or PDK New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo or IRDK New Democratic Party or NDS Progressive Movement of Kosovar Roma or LPRK Romani Initiative Self-Determination Movement (Lëvizja Vetevendosje or Vetevendosie) or LVV or VV Serb List or SL Social Democratic Union or SDU Turkish Democratic Party of Kosovo or KDTP Unique Gorani Party or JGP Vakat Coalition or VAKAT
Legislative branch
note
note: 20 seats reserved for ethnic minorities -- 10 for Serbs and 10 for other minorities
term in office
4 years
number of seats
120 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Assembly (Kuvendi i Kosoves/Skupstina Kosova)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
2/14/2021
expected date of next election
2025
percentage of women in chamber
34%
parties elected and seats per party
Self-Determination Movement (LVV) (58), Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) (19), Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) (15), Serb List (10), Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) (8), other (10)
National anthem(s)
title
"Europe"
history
adopted 2008; Kosovo chose not to include lyrics in its anthem to avoid offending the country's minority ethnic groups
lyrics/music
no lyrics/Mendi MENGJIQI
National symbol(s)
six five-pointed white stars
National coat of arms
uses the national colors of blue, gold, and white, and is featured on the country’s flag; the golden map symbolizes a rich and peaceful Kosovo, with a blue background that represents the country’s aspirations for Euro-Atlantic integration; the six white stars stand for the major ethnic groups in Kosovo: Albanians, Serbs, Bosniaks, Turks, Roma (including Ashkali and Egyptians), and Gorani
Administrative divisions
38 municipalities ( komunat , singular - komuna (Albanian); opstine , singular - opstina (Serbian)); Decan (Decani), Dragash (Dragas), Ferizaj (Urosevac), Fushe Kosove (Kosovo Polje), Gjakove (Dakovica), Gjilan (Gnjilane), Gllogovc (Glogovac), Gracanice (Gracanica), Hani i Elezit (Deneral Jankovic), Istog (Istok), Junik, Kacanik, Kamenice (Kamenica), Kline (Klina), Kllokot (Klokot), Leposaviq (Leposavic), Lipjan (Lipljan), Malisheve (Malisevo), Mamushe (Mamusa), Mitrovice e Jugut (Juzna Mitrovica) [South Mitrovica], Mitrovice e Veriut (Severna Mitrovica) [North Mitrovica], Novoberde (Novo Brdo), Obiliq (Obilic), Partesh (Partes), Peje (Pec), Podujeve (Podujevo), Prishtine (Pristina), Prizren, Rahovec (Orahovac), Ranillug (Ranilug), Shterpce (Strpce), Shtime (Stimlje), Skenderaj (Srbica), Suhareke (Suva Reka), Viti (Vitina), Vushtrri (Vucitrn), Zubin Potok, Zvecan
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 735-0609
chancery
3612 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
telephone
[1] (202) 450-2130
consulate(s)
Des Moines (IA)
chief of mission
Ambassador Ilir DUGOLLI (since 13 January 2022)
consulate(s) general
New York
email address and website
embassy.usa@rks-gov.net U.S. Embassies of the Republic of Kosovo (ambasadat.net)
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[383] 38-604-890
embassy
Arberia/Dragodan, Rr. 4 KORRIKU Nr. 25, Pristina
telephone
[383] 38-59-59-3000
mailing address
9520 Pristina Place, Washington DC 20521-9520
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Anu PRATTIPATI (since January 2025)
email address and website
PristinaACS@state.gov https://xk.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
FIFA, IBRD, IDA, IFC, IMF, IOC, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OIF (observer)
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt