Can a British citizen buy property in Albania?
Yes. A British citizen can buy an apartment or a house in Albania on the same terms as an Albanian; only agricultural land is closed to foreigners. GOV.UK allows up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa, and the UK–Albania double taxation agreement has been in force since 30 December 2013.
Data compiled by Fedir AlpatovUpdated
What a British buyer can own
| Property | Can a foreigner own it? | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment, house, commercial unit | Yes | No restriction on buildings |
| Building plot (truall) | Yes, with a condition | Investment on it ≥ 3 × the plot value |
| Agricultural land, forest, meadow, pasture | No | Lease for up to 99 years only |
| Anything, through an Albanian company owned by a foreigner | Yes | The company is an Albanian person |
Sources · 3
- DATA-LEGAL-0001Foreign individuals may buy apartments and residential or commercial buildings with no restriction. They cannot buy agricultural land, forest, meadows or pastures (lease up to 99 years only). Building land is allowed only if the investment built on it is at least three times the land's value.Foreigners may buy apartments without restriction; agricultural land is excludedConfidence: MEDIUMPeriod: current law (Law 7980/1995 "On land purchase"), as describedverified 2026-09-09Kalo & Associates (A. Milo, A. Toslluku) — Albania: legal restrictions facing foreigners in real estate investments, CEE Real Estate Matters
- DATA-LEGAL-00173 × plot valueA foreigner may buy a building plot once the investment on it is at least 3× the plot valueConfidence: HIGHPeriod: 1995–2026verified 2026-10-19Law No. 7980 of 27.07.1995 "Për shitblerjen e trojeve" (on the sale of plots), original text
- DATA-LEGAL-001699 years (maximum lease)Foreigners cannot own agricultural land, forests, meadows or pastures; lease up to 99 yearsConfidence: HIGHPeriod: 2026verified 2026-10-19Explanatory report to the draft law on transferring agricultural land to foreign persons (RENJK 972)
Entry, stay and residence
| Question | Answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-free stay | 90 days in any 180 | GOV.UK travel advice |
| Passport validity | ≥ 3 months after leaving | GOV.UK travel advice |
| Permit for an owner | Up to 1 year, renewable | Law 79/2021 Art. 84 |
| Permit for a pensioner | Pension ≥ 1,200,000 ALL a year | Law 79/2021 Art. 85 |
Sources · 3
- DATA-ENTRY-UK-000190 days in 180British citizens: 90 days in 180 without a visa, passport valid 3 months after leaving
- DATA-LEGAL-00141 year, renewableResidence permit for a property owner: up to 1 year, renewable; no minimum property value foundConfidence: HIGHPeriod: 2025–2026verified 2026-10-19Law No. 79/2021 "Për të huajt" (On foreigners), consolidated text as amended by Law 43/2025
- DATA-LEGAL-001513040.64 EUR per year (income floor)Residence permit for pensioners: pension income of at least 1,200,000 ALL a yearConfidence: MEDIUMPeriod: 2024–2026verified 2026-10-19Law No. 79/2021 "Për të huajt" (On foreigners), consolidated text as amended by Law 43/2025
Tax treaty
The UK–Albania agreement has effect in Albania from 1 January 2014 and in the UK from 6 April 2014 for income tax and capital gains tax, and was modified by the multilateral instrument from 2021. Albania taxes rent from the flat at 15% and a gain on sale at 15%; a UK resident reports the income in the UK and claims relief for the Albanian tax under the agreement.
| Income | Albanian tax | Treaty |
|---|---|---|
| Rent from the flat | 15% | UK–Albania DTA 2013 |
| Gain on sale | 15% of the gain | UK–Albania DTA 2013 |
Sources · 3
- Confidence: HIGHPeriod: tax year 2025/2026 (Law 29/2023 "On income tax", in force siverified 2026-09-09PwC Tax Summaries Albania — Individual taxes on personal income
- DATA-TAX-UK-0001The 2013 agreement entered into force on 30 December 2013; it has effect in Albania from 1 January 2014 and in the UK from 6 April 2014 for income tax and capital gains tax. It was modified by the multilateral instrument from 2021.UK–Albania double taxation agreement: in force since 30 December 2013
- Confidence: HIGHPeriod: 2026 (current)verified 2026-09-09PwC Tax Summaries Albania — Individual income determination
Questions and answers
No, for stays up to 90 days in any 180. Longer stays need a long-stay visa in advance or a residence permit.
Yes, in force since 30 December 2013, effective in the UK from 6 April 2014 for income tax and capital gains tax.
Yes, through a power of attorney signed abroad, apostilled and translated into Albanian.
Sources
- Albania: tax treaties. HM Revenue & Customs (GOV.UK) (accessed 2026-10-19)
- Albania travel advice: entry requirements. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (GOV.UK) (accessed 2026-10-19)
- Law No. 79/2021 "Për të huajt" (On foreigners), consolidated text as amended by Law 43/2025. Albanian State Police (ASP), 2025-11-01 (accessed 2026-10-19)
- Explanatory report to the draft law on transferring agricultural land to foreign persons (RENJK 972). Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MBZHR), 2026-05-14 (accessed 2026-10-19)
- Kalo & Associates (A. Milo, A. Toslluku) — Albania: legal restrictions facing foreigners in real estate investments, CEE Real Estate Matters, 2026-09-09 (accessed 2026-09-09)
- Law No. 7980 of 27.07.1995 "Për shitblerjen e trojeve" (on the sale of plots), original text. Parliament of Albania (FAOLEX copy), 1995-07-27 (accessed 2026-10-19)
- PwC Tax Summaries Albania — Individual taxes on personal income, 2026-07-22 (accessed 2026-09-09)
- PwC Tax Summaries Albania — Individual income determination, 2026-07-22 (accessed 2026-09-09)
What is missing
Gaps we know about: questions we have no reliable data for yet.
- The relief article of the UK–Albania agreement (credit method) was not read in the treaty text.
- No consolidated official text was found that states in so many words that foreigners may buy apartments; the rule rests on the absence of any restriction in the land laws and on legal practitioners. To be confirmed against the Official Gazette (qbz.gov.al was unreachable on 2026-10-19).