Albanian residence permit through property: what to check before paying a deposit
Buying an apartment for a residence permit and then discovering that it is not suitable for the application is a costly mistake.
I, Olga Bondarik, an international lawyer and lead migration specialist at AlbaniAll Consulting, advise starting with a consultation on every detail of the residence permit process as early as the stage of signing the property search agreement.
AlbaniAll Consulting has been handling immigration matters in Albania since 2018.
Over this time we have supported hundreds of relocations on various grounds: employment, business, retirement, remote work, family reunification.
Buying a home has become one of the most requested areas of our practice since the updated Law “On Foreigners” came into force.
What the law gives an owner
The ground for this permit is set out in Article 84 of Albanian Law No. 79/2021 “On Foreigners”. It allows a foreigner to live in the country in order to use the property they own.
The first residence permit under this article is issued for up to one year.
After that, it can be renewed annually if the requirements are met.
The owner must retain ownership for the entire validity period of the permit.
Article 84 does not set a minimum purchase price. A co-owner with a ½ share can also apply. For example, two buyers can purchase an apartment in equal halves.
However, each of them goes through the process separately. Approval for one does not mean an automatic decision for the other. (asp.gov.al)
A shed or an abandoned home will not qualify for a residence permit through property
It must be fit for habitation.
The Albanian Ministry of Interior explicitly includes proof of suitable living conditions in the list of documents for this ground.
That is why a house without windows, doors and essential utilities should not be chosen just because of its low price.
An ownership document does not replace the requirements for the condition of the premises. Renovation will be added to the purchase costs.
When you later sell, finding a buyer for such a property may be difficult.
If you are relocating as a family, check the floor area, the distribution of shares and the ground for each applicant before the deal. Buying one apartment does not give every relative an independent right to a residence permit.
In addition to the property documents, you will need to prove you have the means to support yourself. The application procedure is published on the Ministry of Interior website with reference to Law No. 79/2021 and Council of Ministers Decision No. 858/2021. (mb.gov.al)
I advise assessing both the apartment itself and its future resale. Check the documents, encumbrances and the condition of the building. Calculate the maintenance costs. Consider how comfortable it will be for your family to live here all year round.
What the official figures show
According to INSTAT, by the end of 2025 there were 32,163 foreigners with a residence permit in Albania. That is 46.6% more than a year earlier.
Employment remains the main ground at 55.1%. Family reunification accounts for 19.8%. This report has no separate line for property owners. Therefore, using it to rank the popularity of residence permits through property would be incorrect. (instat.gov.al)
The Ministry of Economy and Innovation reports that in the first half of 2026 foreign direct investment reached €1.14 billion. Growth exceeded 50% compared with the same period of 2025. The real estate sector accounted for 53.3%. These figures describe investment in the economy, not the number of residence applicants. (ekonomia.gov.al)
What Albania's path to the EU changes
The Albanian authorities aim to complete EU accession negotiations by the end of 2027. The European Commission presented a roadmap in November 2026. Meeting the deadlines depends on implementing reforms.
This is specifically about completing negotiations. The plan does not set a date for EU accession. Nor does it set a deadline for abolishing residence permits for property owners. (eeas.europa.eu)
A relocation should be planned under the rules currently in force. Future status cannot be promised on the basis of political statements. Changing the ground and obtaining permanent residence require a separate check of the conditions.
How we support buyers
EstateAll brokers select the property and help carry out the transaction. It can be purchased remotely under a power of attorney.
AlbaniAll Consulting lawyers check the residence permit applicant's documents and prepare the D visa application, if one is required.
They then support the residence permit process. A personal visit to the migration service is required to give fingerprints. (mb.gov.al)
Before choosing an apartment, tell us about your plans: who is relocating, and whether you will work or start a business. These circumstances affect the procedure for the whole family.
Write to us, and we will discuss your situation in a consultation before the purchase.
Olga Bondarik,
International lawyer, AlbaniAll Consulting