This is one of the first questions I hear from almost every foreign client.
Sometimes it comes before “How far is the beach?” or “Is this a good investment?”
And honestly, I understand why.
If you’ve never been to Albania, it’s easy to imagine language as a barrier. A small country. A unique language. A place that, until recently, stayed under the radar.
But the reality—especially here in the south—is very different.
Let me explain it the way I usually do, standing on a balcony in Saranda, sea in front of us, coffee in hand.
The Short Answer: Yes — More Than You’d Expect
Yes, people speak English in Albania.
And in places like Saranda, Ksamil, and along the Albanian Riviera, English is part of everyday life.
Is it perfect everywhere? No.
Is it enough to live comfortably, invest, buy property, and build relationships? Absolutely.
I’ve spent years working with clients from Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, the UK, the US. Many of them arrived with the same concern. Most of them stopped thinking about it after the first week.
A Moment That Still Makes Me Smile
A few days ago, I was showing a couple from Northern Europe a property in Ksamil. Brand new building. Quiet street. You could hear the cicadas, not traffic.
We walked past a small neighborhood café — the kind locals use, not tourists. The owner looked up, smiled, and said “Good afternoon” in clear English, then switched effortlessly back to Albanian with a neighbor.
My clients looked at me and laughed.
“That answers our question,” they said.
Moments like that remind me why Saranda works so well for foreigners.
Where English Is Spoken Most Comfortably
Saranda
Saranda is international by nature now.
Tourism changed the rhythm of the city, and language followed.
In cafés, restaurants, real estate offices, banks, pharmacies — English is widely spoken. Younger generations especially are confident and relaxed with it. Even older locals, especially those working with tourists, usually understand more than they speak.
I often say this: you don’t need perfect English from everyone. You need functional comfort. Saranda delivers that.
Ksamil
Ksamil might surprise you even more.
Because it’s smaller, people assume English would be limited. It’s the opposite. Many locals here have worked in tourism for years. Some lived abroad and returned. Others learned English naturally through daily interaction.
Whether you’re buying Saranda apartments for sale or looking for a quiet retreat in Ksamil, communication rarely becomes an issue.
Daily Life in English — What That Actually Looks Like
Let’s be practical.
You can:
– Order food
– Rent a car
– Speak to builders and property managers
– Open utilities
– Communicate with neighbors
All in English.
Will you hear Albanian around you? Of course. And that’s part of the charm.
But you’ll never feel isolated because of language.
Sometimes, you’ll even pick up a few words yourself. “Faleminderit” (thank you) tends to stick quickly.
A Small Tangent (But Important)
Albanians are naturally hospitable.
It’s cultural.
If someone doesn’t speak perfect English, they’ll still try. Hand gestures, smiles, calling a nephew who “speaks very good English” — I’ve seen it all. Effort matters here.
And honestly? That effort makes a big difference in how welcome people feel.
Real Estate, Contracts, and English
This is where most buyers really care.
Property viewings, legal explanations, contracts — these are handled professionally in English. Especially when dealing with newer developments, luxury residences, or investment-grade properties.
For example, when clients explore something like this modern 1-bedroom apartment in Ksamil
👉 https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/modern-1-bedroom-apartment-in-ksamil-62m2
It’s a new 2025 building, finished summer 2025, with a shared private pool for residents, located in a quiet, newly developed neighborhood just seven minutes from the beach. Conversations around these properties happen smoothly in English. Calm. Clear. No pressure.
The same goes for Saranda.
This seaview 1-bedroom apartment on Skënderbeu Street
👉 https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/seaview-1-bedroom-apartment-for-sale-in-saranda-skenderbeu-street-fully-furnished
It’s in a peaceful, secure area, within a new luxury residence. Private pool. Completely open sea view — no buildings blocking the horizon. Buyers usually understand immediately why it works both as a home and as an investment. And yes, all discussions are in English.
Ksamil’s New Developments and International Buyers
What I’ve noticed recently is how international Ksamil has become without losing its soul.
Take White Residence in Ksamil, for example.
👉 https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/1-bedroom-apartment-for-sale-in-ksamil-65m2
New building, finished summer 2025. Shared private pool. Seven-minute walk to the beach. Quiet area, not crowded. Buyers here tend to stay longer, not just visit. They care about lifestyle.
English is spoken easily in these communities because many residents are foreign or mixed — Albanians, Europeans, families, investors.
Luxury Buyers, Same Question — Same Answer
Even high-end buyers ask about language. Always.
Especially when considering something more substantial, like these new 2025 luxury duplexes in Ksamil
👉 https://www.vivaview.al/en/properties/luxury-duplex-for-sale-in-ksamil-new-building-pool-near-beach-139m2
Two private pools — one exclusive to the duplex, one shared. Underground parking. Limited number of residents. Total privacy and security. Located right on the main road, just 300 meters from the beach and center.
These are not “holiday-only” properties. They’re family homes, long-stay investments. With ROI reaching up to 16% per year.
And again — English is not a problem. From the first viewing to long-term management, communication flows naturally.
A Local Detail You Won’t Find Online
There’s a quiet stretch near Saranda’s eastern side where locals walk in the evening, just before sunset. No music. No crowds. Just the sound of waves and the smell of grilled fish drifting from a nearby kitchen.
That’s where many foreign buyers tell me they realize something important:
They don’t feel like outsiders.
Language plays a role in that. But so does attitude. And Albania, especially the south, has a welcoming one.
Should You Learn Albanian?
You don’t need to.
But if you stay longer, you might want to.
Not because you must, but because it helps you connect. Locals appreciate it. Even simple phrases go a long way.
Still, to be clear: English is enough to live, invest, and feel comfortable here.
Final Thoughts
So — do people speak English in Albania?
Yes.
And in Saranda, Ksamil, and along the Albanian Riviera, it’s part of daily life.
I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast — not just in terms of affordable properties, seaview apartments, and beachfront property, but in how easy it is to integrate.
You don’t need to change who you are to live well here.
You just need to arrive.
And the conversation starts naturally — often in English.
