Retirement is a new chapter in your life, and it doesn’t have to mean downsizing your lifestyle: instead, retirees moving abroad are oftentimes looking to maximize their freedom and improve their living standards by finding the best bang for their buck.

And Albania is just that: the perfect spot for retiring in paradise.

Albania has been steadily attracting retirees from the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany and beyond – all of whom are seeking the best place to spend their golden years.

And who can blame them? Albania is affordable and offers retirees multiple tax advantages, boasts a warm and welcoming culture and gives foreigners full property ownership rights. Getting an Albania retirement visa is easy if you purchase a home along the sea like those on offer at Folie Village, have income of at least 120,000 ALL (approximately €1,200) a month, purchase health insurance and can prove you have a clean criminal record.

And, of course, the country is drop-dead gorgeous: the Albanian Riviera has fast become known as one of the most beautiful destinations in Southern Europe, worth spending a summer – or perhaps all your retirement years?

Here are three reasons you should retire in Albania if you’re a pensioner seeking your overseas paradise to enjoy your next chapter in life.

1. Affordable Cost of Living in Albania – and its Tax Advantages

The cost of living in Albania is significantly lower than in many Western countries, which will help you spread out your retirement plan over more years – without sacrificing comfort, quality of life, or coastal views.

For example, a seaside dinner for two with fresh fish, wine, and dessert might cost under €40 in the Albanian Riviera, compared to €80 or more in popular Italian or Californian seaside locales.

Electricity, water and internet in Albania are much cheaper than in the United States and Western Europe. In the south of Albania, for example, your utility bill will likely fall between €100–€120 range for a modern, energy-efficient home like the ones offered by Folie Village, and high-speed fiber internet is available for as little as €100 a year with popular providers like Vodafone.

Grocery shopping in Albania is also far more affordable than in Western countries. A week’s worth of fresh, locally sourced produce, dairy, and bread for two people might cost just €30 – €40, while the same basket of goods could easily exceed €80–€100 in the U.S., UK, or Germany.

Foreign retirees are also not taxed in Albania, enabling them to maximize their income as they stop working and take time to enjoy life. Albania’s double tax treaties with most Western European countries and legislative amendments exempt foreign retirees’ pension income from taxation, allowing them to keep their full earnings without deductions. 

And investing in a property like Folie Village, which offers long-term value and high appreciation potential as more and more tourists and other retirees discover the country, is a great way to store value and secure a comfortable, scenic retirement home in Albania’s growing real estate market. 

2. A Welcoming Local Community and Growing Expat Presence 

Albanians are famous for their hospitality, and you’ll feel right at home retiring in Albania as a foreigner. Local culture here is informed by besa, a concept that translates roughly to keeping one’s word and welcoming foreigners. Hospitality and warm relations among neighbors are the norm rather than the exception in Albania, and you’ll feel that the moment you interact with local villagers and city-dwellers alike. 

And the growth of expat communities in nearby Himare, Saranda and other Albanian Riviera towns means that you won’t be alone. Over the past three years, these coastal gems have drawn increasing numbers of retirees from North America and Europe, lured by tax-free pensions, affordable living and the vibrant Mediterranean lifestyle.

Folie Village is designed as a reimagined village – drawing inspiration specifically from neighboring Vuno – where everyone is welcomed like family, with social events and communal spaces offering opportunities to meet and mingle with neighbors.

Services in Albania are largely available in English, and foreigners are viewed as a blessing rather than a burden in this corner of the Balkans.

3. Foreigners Can Own Property in Albania with Full Rights

The country has in recent years vastly simplified its legal system, making it easier than ever before for foreigners to buy property in Albania. There’s no need for residency or citizenship, although obtaining long-term residency is easy, especially for those buying property like the villas on offer at Folie Village.

A transparent legal process makes purchasing real estate in Albania easier than ever before. You will receive full title ownership upon completion of the purchase process, and the fact that there’s no inheritance tax and super-low property taxes makes this Mediterranean destination a reliable and stable country to spend your sunset years. 

A growing number of expats are already moving here, making the arrival in this foreign country easier than ever before.

Folie Village is a fully legal, foreign-friendly property with titles ready for your purchase. We make the process painless, with highly-knowledgeable, English and Italian speaking staff on hand ready to help you transition to life along the Ionian Sea.

Why Folie Village is Ideal for Retirement in Albania

Still not convinced? Book a call with us today to discover why Folie Village is the perfect Albanian retirement spot for pensioners. Our villas are a private, quiet and picturesque location along the Albanian Riviera.

The villas are turn-key: move in with ease and forget about renovation or home improvement. This gated community offers safety, privacy and peace of mind, and on-site maintenance and management services simplify the process of upkeeping your property or renting it out to generate passive income.

Come find out why so many have already chosen to make Folie Village more than just their home, but a lifestyle.