Second Passport, First Villa: Why Albania Is Attracting Citizenship-by-Investment Buyers

When I first started in real estate down here in the south of Albania, most of my clients were from Tirana or a few curious travelers who wanted a summer place by the sea. These days? I’m meeting investors from all over the world — Italians, Germans, even a few Americans — and many of them aren’t just looking for a holiday home. They’re asking a bigger question: Can buying in Albania open doors for me in Europe?

It’s fascinating to watch. What used to be a sleepy corner of the Mediterranean has suddenly become part of the global “lifestyle migration” trend. People want more than square meters and balconies. They want flexibility. They want to belong somewhere. They want that second passport. And often, the first step is their first villa.

The Appeal of the Albanian Riviera

Let’s be honest. If you’ve stood on the promenade in Saranda at sunset, you understand why people fall in love so quickly. The Ionian turns gold, the island of Corfu glows on the horizon, and you start asking yourself, “Why don’t I live here?”

I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast. You can still find seaview apartments for a fraction of what you’d pay in Greece or Italy. That combination — affordable properties with million-dollar views — is why so many people are suddenly searching for Saranda apartments for sale.

But it’s more than money. For some, buying here is part of a bigger plan. They see Albania’s trajectory — candidate for EU membership, growing economy, booming tourism — and they think: This is the moment to plant a flag.

Real Estate and Lifestyle Migration

I had a client not long ago who flew in just to spend a day touring Ksamil. They weren’t sure what they wanted at first — a holiday place, maybe a long-term investment. But as soon as we stepped into one of the brand-new residences with a pool, they whispered to me, “This feels like my passport into Europe.”

And that’s exactly how many see it. Albania may not yet have a formal “citizenship by investment” program like Portugal or Malta, but property ownership here can still be a strong anchor. For some, it’s the start of a residency plan. For others, it’s the lifestyle upgrade they need while waiting for the EU door to open.

Take Ksamil, for example. Everyone knows the beaches there are world-class, but what fewer realize is that the newest buildings are designed for quiet luxury — elegant, modern, but without the fuss. One I particularly love is the White Residence in Ksamil. Finished in 2025, it offers apartments just seven minutes’ walk from the beach, with a private pool for residents and a peaceful new neighborhood. When I show these, I notice people immediately start picturing their life here — not just holidays, but an actual base in the Mediterranean.

A Tangent About Taverns and Time

Forgive me a small tangent — but this is why I love living here. After property tours, I often take clients to a family-run taverna in Borsh. No menu, just grilled fish caught that morning, tomatoes from the owner’s garden, and a jug of local wine. We sit for hours, the sea just down the hill, and people say: “This… this is the lifestyle we want.”

That’s the thing. Real estate is never just about walls and tiles. It’s about the feeling of belonging. And Albania, with its unpolished authenticity, offers that in a way few places do.

Insider Knowledge: Where the Smart Money Is Going

If you’re reading this as an investor, here’s something locals already see: the south is changing fast. Saranda has grown into a city that feels alive year-round, not just in July and August. Ksamil has gone from “hidden gem” to “must-see” in less than five years. And Borsh? Mark my words, Borsh will be the next big chapter of the Albanian Riviera.

There’s a development I’m particularly proud of: the White Villas in Borsh. These are not just houses — they’re residential paradises. Four villas, each with three floors, private swimming pools, big verandas, and sea views that stop people in their tracks. Built by our construction company with over 15 years of experience and a team of 150 professionals, they combine reliability with a sense of quiet luxury. Just seven minutes by car from Borsh beach, surrounded only by nature, they’re perfect as a family retreat or a rental investment. And yes — they’re for sale with 0% commission.

Seaview Apartments and the First Line Advantage

Of course, not everyone wants a villa. Some prefer a lock-and-leave apartment right on the water. That’s where Gold Residence in Saranda comes in. I’ve shown these apartments to investors who can’t believe what they’re getting: a private pool for residents, direct access to a private beach literally one minute away, and wide terraces facing the Ionian. The seaview apartment here is a standout — large, airy, and part of one of the most sought-after addresses in town.

Sometimes I tell clients: buying in first line properties isn’t just about the view, it’s about the guarantee. That stretch of coast will never lose value. In fact, it only gets rarer each year.

Why Citizenship-by-Investment Buyers Are Looking This Way

Now, let’s circle back. Why are “citizenship-by-investment” buyers interested in Albania? It comes down to three things:

1. Affordability – compared to the rest of the Mediterranean, prices here still feel almost too good to be true.

2. Potential EU Access – Albania’s EU candidate status makes property ownership here a strategic move for the future.

3. Lifestyle – this is the one most people underestimate. Living by the sea, with a low cost of living and warm community, changes people.

I had another client recently who admitted they originally came just for “numbers.” They had spreadsheets and ROI tables. But halfway through our day together, while standing on a balcony in Saranda looking across to Corfu, they said: “I don’t even care about the ROI anymore. I just want to wake up to this view.”

The Bigger Picture

Of course, not everyone will get an Albanian passport tomorrow. That’s not the point. The point is: buying here aligns with a broader vision of life. You secure an asset that can generate rental income, you join a growing international community, and you position yourself for whatever the future brings with Albania’s EU journey.

Meanwhile, you enjoy something priceless: waking up to the sound of waves, wandering down to a pebble beach, grabbing a coffee where the barista knows your name. That’s not something you can measure on a spreadsheet — though, trust me, the numbers make sense too.

Closing Thoughts

If you’re curious about this wave of lifestyle migration, I encourage you to see it firsthand. Walk the promenade in Saranda. Visit Ksamil in the early morning when the beaches are still quiet. Drive down to Borsh and stop at a roadside taverna.

This is the Albania people are discovering. And once they do, they don’t look back.

Second passport or not, the first villa here often becomes the beginning of a whole new chapter.