How Albania’s EU Candidate Status Could Impact Property Values

I’ve been working in real estate in Saranda for many years, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: Albania never stands still. Every summer, every season, something shifts. New restaurants open by the promenade. Families return from abroad and build homes in the villages. Tourists discover beaches that, until recently, were only known to locals. And now, with Albania’s EU candidate status in motion, I sense another wave of change that could reshape property values across the Albanian Riviera.

Why EU Candidate Status Matters for Real Estate

Let’s be honest — the EU candidate label doesn’t immediately change taxes, rental laws, or the way we sign contracts at the notary. But what it does is equally powerful: it builds trust. For investors, confidence is often the deciding factor.

When clients from northern Europe visit me in Saranda, one of the first questions they ask is about security — not physical security, but legal and financial. They want to know: “Will my property be safe? Will the rules stay the same in five or ten years?” The EU process helps answer that. It signals stability, reforms, and alignment with European standards.

I remember walking with a client from Germany along the new pedestrian road near Butrinti Street. He turned to me and said, “You know, I wouldn’t have thought about buying here five years ago. But the EU candidate status changes how I see Albania — it feels like a country moving in the right direction.” That comment stuck with me. Perception is everything in real estate, and perception is shifting.

Saranda: Still the Best Value on the Mediterranean

I’ve seen property prices here double in the last decade. And yet, when I compare them with similar coastal cities in Greece or Italy, Saranda still feels underpriced. I truly believe it offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast.

Take a look at this seaview 1-bedroom apartment on Skënderbeu Street. It’s fully furnished, in a quiet and safe neighborhood, part of a modern residence with a private swimming pool. What sets it apart is that the view of the Ionian is completely open — no chance of someone building in front to block it. That detail matters here. I’ve walked through this apartment myself, and the light in the living room at sunset is something you don’t forget. It’s an excellent example of how affordable properties in Albania can also be high-end.

If Albania makes further progress toward the EU, apartments like these will only become more sought after. Not just for holiday rentals, but for long-term residents who want the comfort of European living standards by the sea.

Ksamil: Scarcity Drives Value

Ksamil is a different story altogether. Anyone who has been there in July knows what I mean — the beaches are full, the atmosphere electric, and yet the village itself still feels like it’s in transition. What most people don’t realize is that Ksamil has very little land left for new development. That scarcity drives value.

One project I often highlight to serious buyers is White Residence Ksamil. This is a brand-new 2025 development, completed just weeks ago. The apartments are modern and elegant, with clean finishes, wide balconies, and access to a private swimming pool reserved for residents. The location is perfect: a quiet new neighborhood, only a 7-minute walk to the main beach.

I visited the residence on a clear morning in September, and I remember standing on one of the balconies — you could hear the sea, but not the noise of traffic. That balance between access and peace is rare in Ksamil. Properties like this aren’t just purchases; they’re statements of lifestyle. And as EU candidate status continues to shape Albania’s image, I see Ksamil becoming one of the hardest places to buy into because demand will simply outpace supply.

Borsh: The Next Frontier

If Saranda is the established star and Ksamil is the rising one, then Borsh is the frontier. It’s the kind of place where you can still drive for five minutes without seeing a hotel sign, where olive groves stretch down to the beach, and where the rhythm of life is slower.

I’ve always believed Borsh is waiting for its moment. And EU progress may be the catalyst. Investors looking for something more private, more authentic, are starting to ask me about Borsh in ways they didn’t before.

That’s why we developed White Villas Borsh. Built by our construction company with more than 15 years of experience and over 150 skilled employees, these villas are designed for people who want more than just a holiday home. Each villa offers three floors, wide verandas, and uninterrupted sea views. Every unit sits on roughly 300m² of land, with a private swimming pool and parking space. They’re just a 7-minute drive from the beach, yet surrounded by nothing but nature.

I like to call this the definition of quiet luxury. It’s not about being in the center of it all. It’s about waking up to the sound of cicadas, the smell of olive trees, and knowing your family has a place that feels truly private. And with 0% commission on sales, it’s also one of the most straightforward investments available today.

A Tangent: What Buyers Really Fall in Love With

Sometimes, when I take clients out for viewings, I notice that it’s not the floor plans or the square meters that seal the deal. It’s something simpler. The small restaurant above Saranda where the owner still brings you figs from his garden after a meal. The drive along the coastal road to Qeparo, where the sea and mountains meet in a way that feels untouched. Or the evenings on Saranda’s promenade, when families gather, kids ride bikes, and the whole town feels alive.

That’s the heartbeat of the Albanian Riviera. EU candidate status may bring reforms and new opportunities, but the essence — the warmth, the hospitality, the cultural rhythm — is what truly convinces people to buy here.

Looking Ahead

Will Albania join the EU in five years? Ten? Nobody can say for sure. But the direction is clear. And in real estate, direction is often more important than dates. Investors don’t wait for the final signature; they move when they sense momentum.

That’s what I see happening now. More inquiries from northern Europe. More serious questions about rental yields, property laws, and residency options. More interest in not just Saranda apartments for sale, but also beachfront property in Ksamil and seaview villas along the coast.

And if history is any guide, those who buy before the big headlines — before the official accession — will be the ones who benefit most.

Closing Thoughts

One evening last summer, I sat with a couple from Norway at a small bar overlooking Saranda Bay. The ferries from Corfu were gliding into port, the mountains were turning pink with the last light, and they said, “It feels like Greece twenty years ago — but with the promise of something bigger coming.”

That’s how I see it too. Albania’s EU candidate status is more than politics. It’s a signal to the world that this small country on the Adriatic and Ionian seas is stepping into a new chapter. For those of us who live and work here, it’s a reminder that the value of our properties is not just measured in euros, but in stories, memories, and the sense of belonging they create.

So whether it’s a modern apartment in Ksamil, a fully furnished seaview home in Saranda, or a luxury villa in Borsh, the future feels bright. And maybe — just maybe — now is the moment to be part of it.