Buying as a Foreigner in Albania: Legal Loopholes and Tax-Free Strategies (from Someone Who Lives It Every Day)

Let me be honest with you.  

When most foreigners first reach out asking about buying property in Albania, they’re a little nervous. And I get it—new country, different laws, a language you don’t speak, and real estate that feels too good to be true. A beachfront property with seaview for under €200,000? It almost sounds made up, right?  

But it’s not. It’s just Albania. And when you know how things work here, especially in the south—places like Saranda, Ksamil, Borsh—you start to understand why people are making serious moves.  

So if you’re wondering how it works as a foreigner, what the legal tricks are (yes, there are a few), and how to stay tax-efficient while investing in some of the most affordable properties on the Albanian Riviera… you’re in the right place.  

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First Things First: Yes, Foreigners Can Buy  

There’s no restriction for most foreign citizens to buy apartments or finished units in Albania. You don’t need residency, you don’t need to be married to an Albanian, and you definitely don’t need a passport stamp from the king (we don’t have one anyway—welcome to the republic).  

You can buy Saranda apartments for sale , seaview villas, studios, land (with one exception—more on that in a minute). Everything can be 100% under your name.  

You just need a notary , a translator , and a trusted local agent (preferably someone like me, who knows when a listing smells fishy).  

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The One Limitation: Land for Foreigners  

Here’s the only thing you can’t do if you’re not Albanian: you can’t directly buy land as an individual if your country doesn’t have a reciprocity agreement with Albania.  

So if you’re from the EU, the U.S., the UK—great, you’re fine. But if you’re from, let’s say, Canada or Australia, you’ll need to either:  

• Buy the land through a company registered in Albania (very common and not hard to set up), or  

• Buy a property that’s already built—apartment, villa, unit—no problem there.  

Most of my foreign clients go for the second option, especially when there are gorgeous projects like White Residence in Borsh with sea views that honestly feel like something out of the Amalfi Coast… but with a way friendlier price tag.  

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Here’s the Loophole Most People Don’t Know  

Now this is where it gets interesting.  

If you buy an apartment in a new development , especially directly from the developer, you don’t pay any ownership transfer tax .  

Yep. 0% . That’s because the tax only applies when transferring a used property from one owner to another—not when it’s a brand-new unit registered for the first time.  

This is why smart investors are going for units in places like Residenca 12 or Ares 4 , where the prices are still fair, and you skip that 3% transfer tax altogether.  

If you’re thinking long-term—Airbnb income, retirement later, or even flipping in a few years—it adds up.  

Last week, I showed a couple from Belgium a seaview apartment in Borsh. We stood on the balcony as the sun dropped behind the olive trees and the Ionian Sea lit up gold. They looked at each other and just said, “This is it.”  

Moments like that remind me why I love this job.  

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Other Tax-Free Strategies (the Smart Ones Use These) 

Let’s go even deeper. 

1. Register Your Purchase While Under Construction 

If you’re buying in a project that’s still being built, like some of the units in White Residence , you can lock in a better price AND avoid transfer taxes. Why? Because the registration happens when the property is finished, so you’re officially the first owner. 

Plus, developers often offer payment plans in tranches tied to construction progress. You don’t need €150,000 all at once. It’s manageable. 

2. Open a Local Bank Account (and Keep It Simple) 

This is optional, but helpful. Even if you’re paying from abroad, having a local Euro account in your name can speed up deposits and give you better transparency with payments and utility bills down the road. 

And if you’re renting it out (hello, Airbnb!), it makes getting paid easier and smoother. 

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The Buying Process (Without the B.S.) 

Let me walk you through it quickly, no fluff. 

1. Choose your property – something with resale and rental value. Think walkable location, view, new build. 

(Here’s a good example: projects.vivaview.al —we’re listing only verified and legal units.) 

2. Sign the reservation contract – typically 10% down. 

3. Do the due diligence – that’s my job. We check the documents, permits, titles. 

4. Notarize the sale – with a licensed notary, and if needed, a certified translator. 

5. Register your name with the local Immovable Property Office. 

That’s it. No hidden permits. No mafia. Just proper paperwork. 

And once that’s done? It’s yours. Forever. 

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Tangent: That Little Taverna in Borsh 

Let me sidetrack for a second. 

I was driving through Borsh last month after a property viewing. I took a detour toward the south end of the beach, where barely any tourists go. There’s this old taverna—nothing fancy. Just a grill, a few plastic chairs, and the sound of waves crashing nearby. 

I sat down for lunch: grilled sardines, tomato salad, and a cold beer. It cost me €6. I called it “million-euro view, 6-euro lunch.” 

That’s Albania in a nutshell. And it’s why so many people who come here for real estate end up falling in love with the lifestyle too. 

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Final Thoughts (From Someone Who’s Seen It All)

Buying property in a new country can feel overwhelming. But Albania isn’t like the rest of Europe.

We’re open. We’re welcoming. We want foreigners to invest, live here, enjoy it.

And the best part? The system is simpler than you think. You can own a piece of the Albanian Riviera, enjoy a low-tax structure, and even live part-time or full-time in a place where the sun shines 300 days a year.

Whether you’re looking for affordable properties, Saranda apartments for sale, or a stunning villa with sea view and Mediterranean stone… there’s something here for you.

If you’re ready to explore, let’s talk. Or just browse the projects we’re building and see what catches your eye.

And when you do visit—coffee’s on me.