Is Albania Safe to Invest In? Real Estate Stability & Market Security

I get this question all the time.
Usually from someone abroad who’s seen the stunning turquoise waters of Ksamil or Saranda on Instagram, then starts thinking — “This looks incredible… but is it safe to invest there?”

Fair question. I’d ask the same if I didn’t live here.

But after more than a decade in the Albanian real estate world — walking construction sites, watching new neighborhoods rise from olive fields, signing contracts with foreign buyers who come here for the first time — I can tell you: yes, Albania is absolutely safe to invest in.
Not just safe — it’s smart.

Let’s start with what people get wrong

When someone hears “Albania,” they might still imagine an emerging country on the edge of Europe, a place “up-and-coming.” That’s true in a way — but it’s exactly what makes it exciting for investors right now.

The property market here hasn’t hit its ceiling. Not even close.
While prices in Greece, Italy, or Croatia are already beyond reach for most, in Albania you can still find seaview apartments in Saranda for under €150,000 — and that’s in a growing tourist hub with thousands of visitors each summer.

And it’s not just foreigners buying. Locals are investing heavily too. That’s one of the best signs of stability.
We’re not talking about speculative “flips” like you see elsewhere — most buyers here actually use or rent out their properties. They hold them long-term.

A stable market shaped by real people

Saranda’s market is driven by something very real — people who fell in love with this coastline.
Just last month, I met a couple from northern Italy. They came down for a weekend and ended up extending their stay just to explore more. When we visited a two-bedroom apartment 100 meters from the beach — this one here — they couldn’t believe the price compared to Sicily or even Puglia.
Brand new building, five minutes’ walk to the sea, full sea view, and in a quiet neighborhood.
They told me, “In Italy, this would cost double — and you wouldn’t even see the sea.”

That’s when you realize the Albanian Riviera isn’t just a beautiful coast — it’s one of Europe’s last affordable ones.

Is the system reliable? Contracts, ownership, and legal side

Let’s be real.
Every country has its bureaucracy, and Albania is no exception. But in the past decade, the real estate sector here has matured fast. Notaries are stricter, legal verifications are digitalized, and ownership transfers are transparent through the national property registry.

Foreigners can buy property easily. You don’t need residency or special permissions. The process is straightforward: a reservation agreement, notary verification, final contract — and that’s it.

Also, for new developments, buyers benefit from something that surprises most foreigners — 0% property transfer tax.
That means if you buy directly from a developer like us, VivaView, you save thousands of euros instantly.

Why the south feels different

If you’ve been to Saranda or Ksamil, you’ll understand.
There’s something unique about the energy here. The mornings are calm — fishing boats still leave the little port before sunrise — but by midday, the promenade fills with people from all over the world.

And yet, step just a few streets back from the boulevard, and you find peaceful neighborhoods, tucked between citrus trees and half-finished villas. That’s where I often bring clients for viewings. It’s quiet, authentic, and feels like old Saranda.

One of my favorite viewing spots is near the hills above the port. You can see the entire bay — Corfu in the distance, the ferries coming in. Sometimes we stop by a small family-run café that doesn’t even have a sign. They serve homemade lemonade. Those are the moments that remind me this job isn’t about selling — it’s about showing people a way of life.

Real estate as an investment, not a gamble

If you look at the data, Albania’s property values have been rising consistently, but not explosively — and that’s actually a good thing.
The market is steady, organic, driven by demand from tourism and lifestyle buyers, not artificial speculation.

Rental yields in Saranda and Ksamil range between 6% and 10% during high season. Some of our clients earn their entire annual return from just three months of summer rentals.
For example, apartments in White Residence Ksamil — you can see them here — are performing exceptionally.
It’s a brand-new 2025 development in a quiet, modern neighborhood, just seven minutes from the beach. The residence has its own private pool, luxurious finishing, and the calm atmosphere that defines Ksamil today — still authentic, not overcrowded.

I often tell clients: You’re not just buying square meters here. You’re buying lifestyle, time, and peace.

Safety — the real kind

When people ask, “Is Albania safe?” they often mean two things:
Physical safety and financial security.

Physically, Albania is one of the safest countries in Europe. Locals are warm, helpful, and proud of their hospitality. You’ll often hear someone say “Mik për shtëpi” — “a guest is like family.” That’s more than a saying here; it’s a way of life.

Financially, property is one of the most secure assets you can own in Albania. Values have never experienced major crashes like in some overbuilt markets. Even during global slowdowns, demand along the Albanian Riviera stays strong.

A small tangent – and a local secret

One of the places I love taking clients to after a viewing is a small taverna hidden behind the olive groves near Lukova. No website, no sign. Just the owner, his wife, and a grill full of fresh fish.
Last summer, I brought a client there after visiting a site in Borsh. We sat for hours talking about how the area has changed — how five years ago, there were only a few guesthouses, and now you see villas rising above the road, each with infinity pools facing the sea.

We’re actually developing one of those projects ourselves — White Residence Villas Borsh.
You can check them here: vivaview.al/en/projects/white-residence-villas-borsh.
Four luxury villas, each around 300 m², three floors, private pools, large verandas, and surrounded only by nature. It’s the definition of quiet luxury. Just seven minutes from Borsh Beach.
Built by our own construction company — over 15 years of experience and more than 150 skilled workers — these villas are truly built to last.
And because we’re both the developer and the seller, buyers pay 0% commission.

Sometimes I walk there early in the morning, before the workers arrive, just to hear the sound of the waves from the distance. It’s hard not to imagine what those mornings will feel like for future owners.

Why locals invest too

Here’s something many people don’t realize: Albanians themselves are huge believers in real estate.
For generations, owning property here has meant security. That mentality still drives the market today. But now, it’s combined with modern design, professional construction, and a growing network of international buyers.

Even young families are starting to buy apartments as investments, renting them out during summer and keeping them for the future.
That’s why demand doesn’t rely only on foreigners — it’s balanced, and that keeps prices stable.

So, is it safe to invest in Albania?

Absolutely.
But not just because the paperwork is secure or the market is stable. It’s safe because it’s real.

You can walk through the neighborhoods, talk to builders, meet your notary, see your apartment rise floor by floor.
You’ll feel the pace of life here — slower, simpler, but full of opportunity.

If you’re curious, have a look at one of our most-loved listings — this seaview 1-bedroom apartment on Skënderbeu Street.
It’s in one of the quietest, safest areas of Saranda, with full sea views, modern finishes, and even a shared swimming pool. Perfect to live in, or rent out during the high season.

When you stand on that balcony, watching the light change across the bay — it’s hard to think of “risk.” You just feel peace.

Final thoughts

The Albanian Riviera isn’t a “maybe” market anymore. It’s a now market — with steady growth, genuine demand, and real value.

I’ve seen it evolve street by street, building by building. And every time I walk along the Saranda promenade at sunset, I’m reminded why I love this job: showing people a place that’s not just beautiful, but full of possibility.

If you’re considering investing here, start by visiting. Have coffee by the port, walk through the neighborhoods, talk to the locals.
You’ll see it — the charm, the energy, the safety — and you’ll understand why so many people decide to make this coastline their next home.