This is one of those questions I hear almost every week.
Sometimes twice in the same day.
Usually it comes after a property viewing, when we’re sitting somewhere quiet — maybe with a coffee in hand, maybe standing on a balcony looking at the sea — and the client turns to me and asks, “So… if I buy this, can I live here?”
It’s a fair question.
And the answer is a little more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
I’ve lived and worked in Saranda for years now. I’ve helped families relocate, investors diversify, and more than a few couples fall in love with the Albanian Riviera without planning to. So let me explain this the way I usually do in real life — calmly, honestly, and without legal jargon.
The Short Answer (Before We Go Deeper)
Buying property in Albania does not automatically give you residency.
But — and this is important — it makes residency much easier.
That “but” is where most of the real story is.
Why People Ask This Question in the First Place
It usually starts with a holiday.
Someone comes to Saranda for a week. They swim in the Ionian in the morning, eat grilled fish for lunch, and take an evening walk along the promenade when the air cools down. By day four, they’re joking about staying longer. By day six, they’re asking about Saranda apartments for sale.
I remember recently showing a client around Ksamil. We walked through a brand-new building in a quiet neighborhood — the kind of place where evenings are silent except for cicadas. When they saw the pool, the finishes, and realized the beach was a short walk away, they just smiled and said, “Okay… now this makes things complicated.”
That’s usually when residency enters the conversation.
Owning Property vs. Living in Albania
Let’s separate two things that often get mixed up:
– Property ownership
– Legal residency
Albania is very open when it comes to foreign buyers. You can buy property here in your own name, without needing residency or citizenship. That applies whether you’re buying a small apartment or a private villa.
Residency, however, is a separate legal status.
What property ownership does is give you strong grounds when applying for a residence permit. It shows intent. Stability. A reason to stay.
And from experience, that matters.
How Residency Usually Works for Property Owners
In practice, most foreign buyers apply for a temporary residence permit.
Owning property helps because:
– You have a registered address
– You can show a real connection to the country
– You’re not just “passing through”
I’ve seen many clients successfully obtain residency after buying, especially those who planned to spend several months a year here or relocate fully.
One client told me once, while we were driving up toward Lëkurësi Castle, “This feels more like home than anywhere else I’ve lived.” That emotional decision often turns into a practical one soon after.
Why Saranda Makes This Decision Easier
I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast.
Not just financially — though the numbers matter — but emotionally. Life here is slower, but not boring. Social, but not overwhelming. You can have a morning swim, a long lunch, and still finish your workday on time.
That’s why many people don’t just invest here.
They stay.
A fully furnished seaview apartment in a quiet neighborhood, for example, makes living here incredibly easy. Something like this 1-bedroom seaview apartment on Skënderbeu Street — modern, private pool, unobstructed sea views, and a calm, safe area — works equally well as a permanent home or an investment. I’ve seen owners start by renting it out, then slowly spend more and more time here themselves.
That transition happens more often than you’d think.
Ksamil: Where Holidays Turn Into Long-Term Plans
Ksamil has a different energy.
Quieter streets in winter. A village rhythm beneath the summer buzz.
Some of the newest buildings there are designed for people who value privacy and calm. A good example is this 1-bedroom apartment in Ksamil — finished in summer 2025, with a shared private pool, modern design, and a peaceful neighborhood just seven minutes from the beach. It’s understated. Nothing flashy. The kind of place you come back to after a long lunch by the water.
I often tell clients: Ksamil doesn’t shout. It whispers.
And if you listen long enough, it convinces you.
A Small Tangent (But a Relevant One)
There’s a bakery near the road leading out of Saranda toward Ksamil. Locals stop there early in the morning — before the sun gets too strong. The owner knows everyone’s order. That’s the kind of place you only notice once you stop being a tourist.
Residency isn’t just paperwork.
It’s about when a place starts to feel familiar.
Okay. Back to property.
Families, Privacy, and Long-Term Living
Not everyone wants apartment living. Especially families.
For buyers looking for space and privacy, villas around Saranda are becoming more interesting every year. One recent development I’ve shown a few times is this private villa with a swimming pool in Saranda. It’s tucked away in a very quiet area — the kind where evenings are genuinely peaceful — with a spacious layout that works perfectly for family life.
Properties like this often attract buyers who are already thinking long-term. Residency is usually part of the plan from the beginning.
What About Investment Buyers?
Some people don’t plan to live here full-time. At least not at first.
They buy beachfront property or affordable properties with strong rental potential, then apply for residency later — or not at all. Albania allows many nationalities to stay for extended periods without immediate residency, which gives flexibility.
In Ksamil, duplexes like this new luxury duplex near the beach are interesting for this reason. Two pools, underground parking, privacy, and a location close to both the center and the sea. High-end, but practical. Some owners rent them seasonally and use them personally in spring and autumn. ROI can reach up to 16% per year, but that’s almost secondary to the lifestyle.
I’ve seen investors become residents without planning to.
Residency Is a Process — Not a Barrier
One thing I always reassure clients about: Albania is not bureaucratically hostile.
Yes, there are steps. Documents. Applications. But compared to many EU countries, the process is straightforward and human. You’re not treated like a number.
And property ownership gives you a solid foundation.
Final Thoughts from Someone Who Sees This Every Day
Buying property in Albania doesn’t hand you residency on day one.
But it opens the door.
What happens next depends on you — how often you come, how connected you become, how much you let the place grow on you.
And trust me, it does.
I’ve watched people arrive as tourists and leave as homeowners. I’ve seen investors turn into neighbors. I’ve helped clients buy a place “just for summer” and then ask me about schools, healthcare, and winter living six months later.
That’s Saranda.
That’s the Albanian Riviera.
If you’re asking this question, chances are you’re already closer to the answer than you think.
