People often ask me the same question, especially foreigners who’ve fallen in love with the south of Albania and are thinking a bit further than just holidays.
“Is it expensive to run a business here?”
The short answer?
No. Not compared to most of Europe.
The longer answer — the honest one — is more interesting. And that’s what I want to share with you here, not as a consultant reading numbers from a spreadsheet, but as someone who has lived, worked, negotiated, built, failed a few times, and grown businesses in Saranda over the years.
Why This Question Comes Up So Often
It usually happens after a property viewing.
A few days ago, I was walking a client through a quiet neighborhood above the city. Sea on one side. Olive trees on the other. They were already thinking about buying — not just a home, but something more. A rental. A small hospitality business. Maybe even relocating.
At some point, they stopped and asked:
“But what does it actually cost to run something here? Monthly. Yearly. Realistically.”
That question tells me everything.
It means Albania has already passed the “is this place even real?” stage. Now people are thinking long-term.
Daily Business Costs: Where Albania Really Stands
Let’s start with the basics.
Rent, utilities, labor, services. These are the pillars of any business. And this is where Albania — especially the south — quietly wins.
Commercial rents in Saranda are still accessible, particularly if you’re not obsessed with being right on the promenade. I’ve seen smart business owners choose streets just one block back from the sea and save a significant amount every month, without losing visibility.
There’s a reason places like this commercial shop for rent in Saranda attract attention.
First line, close to the beach, terrace, parking — but still priced in a way that makes sense if you want your numbers to work, not just your Instagram photos.
Electricity and water costs are manageable. Not free, of course. But predictable.
And predictability is underrated.
Labor Costs and the Local Work Culture
This part matters more than people expect.
Labor costs in Albania are lower than in most EU countries. But more importantly, people work differently here. There’s pride in hospitality. Pride in construction. Pride in family-run businesses.
If you’ve ever sat in a small café in Saranda at 7 in the morning, you’ll see it. Espresso. Short conversations. Plans for the day. Everyone knows everyone.
Yes, you need to manage properly. Yes, professionalism matters.
But once you build trust, loyalty follows.
That’s one reason many investors end up buying not just Saranda apartments for sale, but properties they can actively use — rentals, shops, villas.
Real Estate as a Business Foundation
Here’s where things get interesting.
For many entrepreneurs, the biggest business cost isn’t operations. It’s property ownership elsewhere.
In South Albania, property isn’t the problem. It’s often the solution.
A brand-new apartment in Ksamil, for example, can serve as a base, a rental, and an appreciating asset at the same time. Something like this 1-bedroom apartment in Ksamil — finished in summer 2025, quiet new neighborhood, private swimming pool for residents, seven minutes on foot to the beach — is the kind of place that works without effort. No drama. No noise. Just steady demand.
That’s what I call quiet luxury.
And it’s surprisingly affordable.
Taxes, Paperwork, and the Reality on the Ground
I won’t pretend bureaucracy doesn’t exist. It does.
But it’s not the monster people imagine.
Once you understand the system — or work with people who do — things move. Slowly sometimes. Efficiently other times. Albania is a country of human relationships. Knowing who to call matters more than knowing which form to print.
Compared to Western Europe, total tax pressure is lighter. Especially for small and medium-sized businesses.
That’s one reason more foreigners are setting up operations here, even if their main clients are abroad.
And yes, coffee meetings help. A lot.
Saranda vs. Ksamil vs. Borsh: Cost Differences
Here’s a local insight you won’t find online.
Saranda is more stable year-round. Businesses here survive winter better.
Ksamil is explosive in summer, calmer in off-season.
Borsh is slower, more selective, but quietly powerful.
In Borsh, for example, land still makes sense. Especially if you’re thinking long-term hospitality. Properties like this seaview land in Borsh or first-line land in Porto Palermo are rare opportunities. Ten meters from the sea. First line. These are not “maybe someday” assets. These are “build when the time is right” foundations.
And yes, costs to hold land here are still low.
A Small Tangent (But an Important One)
Let me digress for a moment.
Sometimes, after a long day of viewings, I stop at a small place outside Saranda. No sign. No menu online. Just grilled fish and local wine.
That’s where deals get discussed. Where people open up. Where you understand how business really works here.
Running a business in Albania isn’t just about numbers. It’s about rhythm. Timing. Trust.
Okay. Back to costs.
Luxury Without the Overhead
One of the biggest misconceptions is that luxury equals high maintenance costs.
Not here.
Take something like this seaview 1-bedroom apartment on Skënderbeu Street.
Quiet and safe neighborhood. New residence. Private swimming pool. Complete, uninterrupted sea view. It works as a home. It works as an investment. And operational costs remain reasonable.
Or this luxury duplex in Ksamil.
Two pools — one private, one shared. Underground parking included. Only a few residents. Main road access. Beach and center within walking distance. ROI up to 16% per year. These numbers still surprise investors used to far lower returns elsewhere.
That’s the Albanian Riviera today.
High-end living, without high-end overhead.
Villas, Families, and Long-Term Thinking
Not everyone wants apartments.
Some clients want privacy. Space. A garden. A pool for the kids.
That’s where opportunities like this private villa in Saranda, Surra area come in. Quiet neighborhood. Spacious layout. A rare chance to own a standalone villa in Saranda itself. For families, it makes sense. For rentals, it performs. For lifestyle, it’s hard to beat.
Running a business from a place like this doesn’t feel like “work.”
And that matters more than spreadsheets admit.
Tourism, Resorts, and Scalable Businesses
Then there’s the bigger picture.
Resort-style developments are changing how people think about Albania. Properties like Ionian Bay Residence in Saranda — first line, private beach, pools — create ecosystems. Businesses grow around them naturally. Cafés. Services. Experiences.
And the costs to enter this ecosystem are still reasonable. For now.
So… Is Albania Cheap or Smart?
I don’t like the word “cheap.”
I prefer “efficient.”
I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast. Not because it’s underdeveloped — but because it’s developing at the right pace. Costs are still aligned with reality. And opportunities still reward those who move early.
Running a business here isn’t effortless.
But it’s fair. And that’s rare.
Final Thoughts
If you’re thinking about starting or relocating a business to Albania, don’t just look at costs. Look at lifestyle. Community. Long-term value.
Because numbers matter.
But so does waking up to the sea.
And here, you can still have both.
If you want to talk through real options — quietly, realistically, without pressure — that’s always how I prefer to work.
