Doing Business in Albania: The Advantages and Challenges for Foreign Investors

Running a business in Albania can feel a bit like driving along the coastal road from Saranda to Borsh — breathtaking views, but lots of curves along the way.
It’s beautiful, full of potential, but you need to know how to handle it.

I’ve lived and worked in the south of Albania for years, helping foreigners buy properties, open small businesses, and start a new chapter of their lives here. Some came from Italy, some from Germany or Norway. They all had that same look when they first saw the Ionian Sea — a mix of wonder and “how is this place still so affordable?”

But when it comes to doing business, not everything is as simple as it looks from a balcony in Ksamil.

The First Step: Understanding the Albanian Way

In Albania, relationships matter. Before contracts, before negotiations — it’s trust.
If you’re planning to open a luxury restaurant, for example, you’ll need time. Time to build connections, to understand how things move here, to adapt to the rhythm of local life.

I’ve seen foreign investors succeed brilliantly, but usually because they lived here full-time. They were present. They met suppliers, talked to the locals, shared a coffee at “Lekursi Castle” while discussing design ideas. That’s how things get done here — slowly, but surely.

If you’re curious, we actually have a luxury seafront restaurant for sale in Saranda — right on the main boulevard, overlooking the sea. It’s one of those rare places that already has an established clientele and a flawless reputation.
Everything inside is brand new — over €220,000 invested just in the interior. But let me tell you: running a business like this is a full-time job.
You can’t manage it from abroad. Albania rewards presence.

Why Real Estate Makes More Sense for Many Investors

Now, compare that to owning an apartment.
You buy it, you furnish it, and from that point on, it can work for you — even if you’re not here.

That’s why many foreign clients who initially came looking for a business end up buying property instead.
Managing a restaurant or a boutique shop can be exciting, but it ties you down.
A well-located apartment, on the other hand, gives you freedom.

I always tell clients: “An apartment doesn’t call you at midnight because the waiter didn’t show up.”

Platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb have changed everything. You can own a seaview apartment in Saranda, live in Germany, and still generate passive income — and if you don’t want to deal with guest check-ins, local companies (including us at Viva View Real Estate) can manage the rentals for you.

What Investors Are Buying Now

One of the most exciting recent projects we’ve worked on is White Residence in Ksamil — brand-new 2025 apartments, just finished a month ago.
It’s a quiet and elegant neighborhood, about seven minutes from the beach.
The building has private pools, lush modern design, and that “quiet luxury” touch that investors love.
Most of the buyers there are from abroad — people who wanted a safe investment without having to live in Albania full-time.

Ksamil is evolving fast, but still has that small-village charm. The mornings are calm, the air smells like salt and coffee, and you can walk everywhere. For rentals, it’s gold.

The Local Factor

Every week, I drive from Saranda to Borsh for site visits. It’s a one-hour road trip that never gets old — mountain curves, olive trees, and the Ionian shining below.
Somewhere near Piqeras, there’s a small café where the owner still remembers my order: Turkish coffee, no sugar. That’s the kind of local connection you build when you work here long enough.

And those local insights matter when choosing where to invest.
For example, our White Villas in Borsh — they’re not just houses. They’re private escapes.
Each villa sits on about 300 m² of land, spread across three floors, with a private swimming pool, a large veranda, and parking.
Only seven minutes by car from Borsh beach, but surrounded by absolute peace.
We built them through our own construction company — 15+ years of experience, more than 150 skilled professionals.
When I visit the site, I sometimes stay longer than I should. The silence there makes you forget the rush of Saranda’s summer.

For me, that’s “quiet luxury” — not gold-plated furniture, but space, light, and nature.

The Challenges You Should Know

Let’s be honest — investing here isn’t always easy.
Paperwork can take time, and the system still carries a few of those Balkan quirks you’ll either laugh or cry about (sometimes both).
Language barriers, unclear procedures, and the occasional “you need this signature first” situation — they’re real.

But that’s also why working with local professionals helps.
Having someone who knows the right notary, the honest construction team, or even where to find a reliable plumber in the middle of August — that’s priceless.

If you’re buying property, everything becomes smoother. For example, this seaview 1-bedroom apartment in Saranda on Skënderbeu Street is part of a new, quiet residence.
It’s fully furnished, with high-end finishes, a private pool, and a completely unobstructed sea view.
You can keep it for personal use or rent it out seasonally — either way, it’s low-maintenance, and the management can be handled locally.

Compare that to managing staff, suppliers, and licenses for a business — it’s night and day.

Albania’s Future: Where It’s Headed

Here’s something I truly believe: Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast.
You still get sea views at prices that are half of what you’d pay in Greece or Croatia.
But it won’t stay like this forever.

Every year, the skyline changes a bit. More modern buildings, better infrastructure, new investors.
The government is improving roads and airport access. Vlora’s new international airport will bring even more visitors down south.

Tourism drives everything here — and tourism fuels real estate.
That’s why most investors I meet these days are not just buying a holiday home — they’re building income-generating assets.

A Personal Note

The other day, I was showing a couple from France an apartment near the marina.
When we stepped onto the balcony, they went silent. You could see the ferries leaving for Corfu, the entire bay opening up in front of you.
They looked at each other and smiled — not the “Instagram smile”, but that real, quiet one.

That’s when I remembered why I love this job.
Because what we sell isn’t just property — it’s possibility.
It’s a lifestyle that still feels authentic, still connected to nature, to people, to a slower way of living that many have forgotten.

Final Thoughts

Doing business in Albania has its challenges — no question.
But with the right strategy, it’s also full of opportunities.
If you’re planning to move here and build something hands-on — like a restaurant, café, or boutique — be ready to live here, to learn, to get involved.

If, on the other hand, you want something more flexible — an investment that can grow quietly in value while you enjoy life elsewhere — real estate is the smarter move.
Especially along the Albanian Riviera, where affordable properties, beachfront apartments, and seaview villas are still within reach.

And if you ever find yourself in Saranda, stop by.
We’ll have a coffee (probably at the same spot where half of my deals begin) and talk about your next investment — no pressure, no rush. Just the Ionian light, and a few good ideas.