The Latest Legal Updates for Foreigners Buying Property in Albania – What You Need to Know

It’s early July in Saranda, and as I sip my morning coffee on my office balcony, watching the ferries drift in from Corfu, I’m reminded again just how fast this little corner of the Albanian Riviera is evolving. Every week, more and more foreigners walk through my doors asking one big question:

“Can I still buy property here as a foreigner? And are there any changes I should know about?”

The short answer is yes. But the long answer? That’s where things get interesting—and where I come in.

A Quick Recap: What Was the Law Until Recently?

For years, Albania has had a very open-door approach when it comes to property purchases. Foreigners could freely buy apartments (what we call “units without land”) pretty much anywhere—especially along the coast, where cities like Saranda and Ksamil have become favorites.

Villas and land? That’s where things used to get a little trickier. Non-Albanians couldn’t directly purchase land unless they planned to use it for business or agricultural purposes. And that’s still technically the case.

But in practice, things have started to shift—and I’ve seen it firsthand.

What’s Changing in 2025?

There’s no official announcement (yet) that abolishes the restrictions on land ownership for foreigners entirely, but local municipalities are getting more flexible. Especially in southern Albania.

In fact, I had a Belgian client last month who wanted to invest in a seaview villa in Borsh, just off the main road. We spoke with a notary, walked through all the necessary permits, and found a way for him to own the property through a registered Albanian company. This is becoming more and more common—and often the best route for serious investors.

And when the properties are part of a residential complex, like the White Residence in Saranda, everything becomes even easier. These are structured in a way that makes legal ownership smooth, transparent, and low-risk—even for foreigners.