Buying Property in Albania With Foreign Income

I’ve had this conversation more times than I can count.
Someone sits across from me, coffee in hand, usually after a long walk along the Saranda promenade, and asks:
“I earn my money abroad… can I actually buy property here?”

Short answer? Yes.
Long answer? It depends on how you approach it — and that’s where local knowledge really matters.

I’ve lived and worked in Saranda for years now. I’ve watched the market grow, slow down, and then grow again — stronger, more refined, more international. Today, a big part of that growth comes from people earning income outside Albania and choosing to invest it here.

Let me explain how it really works, without the legal jargon and without trying to sell you a dream.

Why Foreign Income and Albania Work Well Together

One thing I truly believe — and I say this as someone who sees numbers every day — is that Saranda still offers some of the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast.

If you earn in euros, pounds, or dollars, the math starts to make sense very quickly.
What feels “affordable” in Albania might feel almost impossible to find in places like Italy, Spain, or Greece anymore.

And it’s not just about prices. It’s about flexibility. Albania doesn’t complicate things unnecessarily for foreign buyers. You don’t need residency to own property. Your income doesn’t need to come from an Albanian employer. What matters is that everything is clean, documented, and transparent.

Simple. The way it should be.

A Small Moment That Says a Lot

A few days ago, I was showing a newly finished apartment in Ksamil to a couple who live and work in Northern Europe.
We walked in quietly — you know that moment when everyone instinctively lowers their voice — and the afternoon light came in through the balcony doors.

They didn’t say much at first. Just stood there. Smiled.
That reaction never gets old.

Later, over a quick espresso at a nearby café locals usually visit after the beach, they told me something interesting:
They never planned to buy property abroad. Until they visited Albania. Until they realized their foreign income could actually buy quality here, not just square meters.

How Foreign Income Is Typically Used

Most buyers I work with fall into one of these categories:

– Salaried professionals working remotely
– Business owners with income from abroad
– Diaspora Albanians returning part-time
– Investors diversifying outside their home country

In practical terms, this means the purchase is usually done without a local mortgage.
Cash purchase.
Or staged payments for new developments.

That’s one reason new builds are so attractive.

For example, I often mention a quiet new residence in Ksamil to clients who want something refined but not flashy. A 1-bedroom apartment like this one — finished in summer 2025, private swimming pool for residents, calm neighborhood, about a seven-minute walk to the beach — fits perfectly for buyers using foreign income. It’s understated. Modern. The kind of place that ages well.

Saranda: Living vs. Investing (Or Both)

Let’s talk honestly about Saranda apartments for sale.

Some buyers want a home. Others want an investment. The smartest ones usually want both — even if they don’t say it out loud.

A well-located seaview apartment in Saranda can give you year-round comfort and seasonal income. Especially in neighborhoods that stay quiet even in August. Locals know which streets those are.

One apartment I often reference is this 1+1 seaview residence on Skënderbeu Street.
It’s in a secure, calm area, part of a new residence with high-end finishes, private pool, and — most importantly — a completely open sea view. No future construction blocking it. Those details matter more than people realize.

Foreign income buyers tend to appreciate that. They think long-term.

A Quick Tangent (But Stay With Me)

Sometimes clients ask me why Albanians care so much about balconies and views.
It’s cultural.

We drink coffee slowly. We sit. We talk. We watch the sea change color throughout the day. A good balcony isn’t a bonus here — it’s part of daily life.

That’s why beachfront property and proper sea exposure always hold value along the Albanian Riviera. Not just because tourists want it, but because locals do too.

Alright. Back to the point.

Using Foreign Income for Higher-End Properties

Foreign income doesn’t just open doors — it widens them.

I’ve seen buyers upgrade their plans once they understand what’s possible.
A standard apartment becomes a duplex.
A duplex becomes a villa.

Take this luxury duplex in Ksamil.
Brand new 2025 construction. Two swimming pools — one private, one shared. Underground parking included. Only a few residents in the building. About 300 meters from both the beach and the center. Secure, private, elegant.

Some buyers choose it as a family base. Others purely as an investment, with returns reaching up to 16% per year. Either way, foreign income makes this level of quality accessible without stretching finances.

What About Villas?

Ah. Villas.

Not many people know this, but Saranda still has pockets of land where true privacy exists.
You won’t see it from the main road. You have to go up slightly, past the noise, where evenings are quiet and neighbors still greet each other.

A new development like this private villa in Surra speaks directly to buyers earning abroad. Spacious layout, private pool, calm surroundings. It’s rare in Saranda — and rarity always holds value.

Families love it.
So do buyers who want something different from the typical apartment model.

Local Reality Check

Let me be honest for a moment.

Buying property in Albania is not about rushing.
The best deals often go to those who visit, walk the area, sit down for lunch somewhere locals eat, and ask questions.

There’s a small spot near the old road toward Borsh where I often stop with clients after viewings. Nothing fancy. But the food is honest, and the conversations usually turn serious there. That’s when people start thinking clearly about numbers, lifestyle, and long-term plans.

That’s how good decisions are made here.

Final Thoughts

Buying property in Albania with foreign income isn’t complicated — but it is nuanced.
And that nuance is where experience matters.

Whether you’re looking for affordable properties, refined seaview apartments, or a private villa, the south of Albania still offers something rare in today’s market: opportunity without chaos.

I’ve watched Saranda evolve year after year.
And I can say this with confidence — we’re not at the end of the story. We’re somewhere in the middle.

If you’re earning abroad and thinking about investing here, take your time. Walk the streets. Ask questions. And listen to the place itself.

It usually tells you everything you need to know.