We get many foreign investors asking us – can foreigners buy real estate in Albania?

The answer is a resounding yes.

With so many newcomers to this corner of Southeastern Europe discovering Albania’s incredible coastline, dazzling mountain peaks and welcoming culture of hospitality, the real estate market in Albania has heated up. Since 2021, expats, remote workers and investors have been streaming to Albania in large numbers in search of work-life balance, higher return on investment and the opportunity to live in a Mediterranean locale without the sky-high prices of nearby Greece and Italy.

But before you start looking seriously into buying property in Albania, you need to understand the legal framework around purchasing property in this country.

Can foreigners actually buy the property for sale in Albania?

Yes.

 

The Short Answer: Yes, Foreigners Can Buy Property in Albania

Non-Albanians can legally buy real estate in Albania, receiving titles that give them full ownership rights over their purchase without the need for residency or citizenship.

Albania has, in fact, encouraged foreign investment in real estate in recent years, simplifying the buying process, offering competitive property prices, and promoting new developments in coastal areas like the Albanian Riviera to attract international buyers.

Pretty much any real estate investment can be made by a foreigner in Albania. Non-Albanians are entitled to buy new developments and resale properties without any restriction.

There are virtually no limitations on the types of properties foreigners can buy in Albania.

 

Why Buy Albanian Riviera Real Estate? 

But don’t opt for farmland when the real Albanian real real estate growth potential lies in the Albanian Riviera. 

The south of Albania has seen an explosion in interest in the past couple of years as international tourism continues to balloon. Last year, Albania saw some 14 million tourists arrive at Tirana International Airport; with the completion of the country’s second airport in Vlora set to be done this year, expect those numbers to continue rising.

Albanian beaches are just as beautiful – if not more – than Italian and Greek beaches, offering the same Mediterranean climate and laid-back lifestyle that brings millions of tourists to this region of Europe each year.

This means that an investment in a coastal property in southern Albania is a surefire way to ensure short-stay rental income for years to come. 

Folie Village is Southern Albania’s premier real estate development project. With modern, turn-key homes in a luxury gated community, the villas for sale in Jale, Albania are the best opportunity for international buyers seeking coastal beauty, architectural elegance and long-term value on the Albanian Riviera.

Buying today gets your foot in the door before prices get too high – and with Albania set to join the European Union in the next 5-10 prices and continued investment driving up real estate valuations, the best time to buy is now.

 

The Process for Buying Luxury Real Estate in Albania

Step one is finding the right property or development in Albania.

Those seeking long-term value and exclusive living will find themselves at home in Folie Village. After signing a preliminary agreement, you’ll want to do your due diligence with a local lawyer and notary.

The final sale contract will be signed by a notary, which will help you register the title with your local property registry.

You can expect fees of around 2-3% for this leg of the process: that’ll cover closing costs and registration.

You’ll of course want to open a bank account to simplify the process. Albania is home to many international banks that are reputable and whose customer service mirrors what you’ll find in Western Europe – for example, Raiffeisen Bank is an Austrian bank with multiple branches in Albania with which many foreigners work.

 

Tips for a Smooth Real Estate Transaction in Albania

Our tips for closing the deal on property in Albania?

• Work with an English-speaking real estate agent and developer 
• Hire a local notary/lawyer to verify titles and zoning regulations 
• Ensure that all utilities and permits are in order 
• Consider long-term management or rental services if buying as a second home or investment, like those offered by Folie Village

With the right team and due diligence, buying property in Albania can be simple, secure, and stress-free.

 

Buying Property in Albania as a Foreigner is Easy

Buying property in Albania has never been easier, with many foreign investors and nomads already investing in the local real estate market.

Albania offers value, beauty and simplicity for real estate buyers. Folie Village is the perfect example: our elegant beachfront villas are already selling fast, so get in touch today to check out villas for sale in Albania! The exclusive living they offer is a rare blend of Mediterranean charm, modern comfort and investment potential – making it one of the most desirable destinations on the Albanian Riviera for foreign investors.

Are you considering buying property in Albania?

This country has seen an explosion in interest in the past couple of years. As Albania’s economic outlook continues to improve and the likelihood of joining the European Union grows with each passing year, Albania is quickly becoming an attractive real estate investment destination for many international buyers.

But Albania is a relatively unknown country – previously called the North Korea of Europe, today it has attracted over 14  million tourists annually and is gaining attention from investors seeking early opportunities in an undervalued Mediterranean market.

As the country opens up to the world and more and more investors consider properties for sale in Albania as a great financial opportunity, Folie Village, southern Albania’s premier real estate development project, has put together this short explainer about purchasing beachfront property in Albania.

 

1. Lower Prices Compared to Neighboring Greece & Italy

Albania is sandwiched between two well-regarded international tourist destinations: Greece and Italy. With 476 kilometers of coastline split between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, Albania has a coastline that is similar or identical to the Italian and Greek beaches that have become synonymous with the unique Mediterranean vibe that so many international investors seek when making the decision to invest in this region of Europe. 

Those looking for coastal living without the premium prices of these already-developed markets will find Albania an attractive destination: prices here are still a fraction of those in neighboring Greece and Italy, offering the rare chance to own seafront property at entry-level prices in a market poised for long-term growth.

 

2. Booming Tourism Driving Strong Investment Returns

Did you know that Albania welcomed over 14 million foreign tourists last year (2024)? These are incredible numbers when you consider that Albania is home to some 2.5 million citizens. Tourist numbers are expected to keep rising, with the first half of 2025 already seeing solid growth compared to the same period last year.

Buying property in Albania, especially beach villas, is a surefire way to guarantee short-term rental income for years to come. As the country continues to attract more and more international visitors, the share of GDP generated by tourism is growing rapidly – creating a strong foundation for real estate investors seeking reliable returns. With increasing demand for vacation rentals and limited high-end coastal inventory, early investors are well-positioned to benefit from rising property values and steady rental yields in the years ahead.

 

3. European Living Without the Bureaucracy or Price Tag

Want to live in Europe without dealing with the heavy bureaucracy associated with European Union regulations? Albania is still outside the union but will most likely join it within the next 5-10 years, per Prime Minister Edi Rama’s plans. Now is the perfect time to get your foot in the door in an emerging market that is already well-integrated with the rest of the continent and the largest trading bloc on the planet.

Tirana International Airport has already seen major expansion, offering daily flights to major European capitals like Rome, London, and Vienna, with additional routes being added each season to accommodate rising demand from tourists, expats and investors alike. The country’s newest airport in the south, Vlora International Airport, is set to open this year and further deepen Albania’s integration with Europe, providing direct flights to the south’s popular beaches, including Jale (pronounced “yal”), where Folie Village has exclusive access.

 

4. Booming Infrastructure and Coastal Development

Both the government and the private sector are heavily investing in Albania’s south, which is home to the country’s best beaches. The new airport will shorten the travel time tourists need to get to the Albanian Riviera, and new roads and tunnels have opened in the past two years connecting Tirana to the south, with a bypass around Vlora and a tunnel drilled through Llogara Mountain shaving hours off the travel time from Tirana to the south. 

And Jale isn’t the only area seeing luxury developments – nearby Dhërmi and Vlorë are also now home to high-end developments that are attracting foreign investors eager to cash in on the development opportunities Albania offers. These infrastructure upgrades are driving up local property prices, making early investment attractive before prices catch up with neighboring Mediterranean markets.

 

5. Favorable Laws for Foreign Property Buyers

Albania isn’t just beautiful and undiscovered – it’s also foreigner friendly. Unlike other exotic locales like Indonesia or Vietnam, or even European countries like Malta, foreigners are permitted to directly purchase land and properties in this European hotspot, simplifying the purchasing process and giving foreign investors the same rights as locals. 

Low property taxes and no restrictions on repatriating rental income or resale profits make Albania especially investor-friendly, and the legal process for buying property is straightforward. A clear title system and a growing number of experienced local lawyers and real estate agents make it easy for international buyers to navigate the process with confidence.

Albania is a beautiful emerging market that’s already catching international real estate investors’ attention. The best time to invest is now, before prices skyrocket and real estate becomes inaccessible. Get in touch with us today to learn about investing in southern Albania’s most exclusive real estate project, Folie Village, today.

Located in the iconic half-moon shaped bay of Jale , Folie Village Creates “Artful Choreography” On Albania’s Southern Coast. Oppenheim Group has designed a new concept of living through this modern, luxury and high end development , comprising of private villas and seafront apartments. Evolving the local architectural heritage and spirit to create a sympathetic and timeless response, it will be the perfect getaway gem of the Mediterranean.

Music Village

Music Village

Music Village

Composed of tightly clustered buildings, the project will include private villas as well as seaview and penthouse apartments. It will offer commercial spaces such as shops, bars, cafes, restaurants, as well as amenity spaces and supporting programs such as a world class spa, fitness suite, exclusive rooftops and vibrant beachside club, casino and event spaces. The project has started construction and will open by 2026. Set to be built in Jale, the project draws inspiration from the rich vernacular and site ecologies found in the nearby villages of Vuno and Dhermi. By grounding itself in Jala, the project aims to achieve a sensitivity towards man and nature, harmonizing with its context.