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.
