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The allure of retirement in Albania stems from its attractiveness and affordable lifestyle.
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Albania’s pristine waters and sandy shores have bestowed upon it the moniker of the ‘Maldives of Europe’.
And it’s rapidly emerging as one of the leading tourist spots on the continent, seeing an increase of 56 percent in international visitors from 2019 to 2023, according to data.
World Tourism Organisation
.
However, for others, this Balkan nation holds an appeal that extends beyond just a vacation. Its affordability
cost of living
is becoming an increasingly appealing choice for British retirees.
Jennifer Stevens, who serves as the executive editor at
International Living
, a guide to retiring and investing overseas, told MailOnline: “Albania isn’t yet on the radar of many people, but it should be. Firstly, it’s stunning – boasting a coast that some argue surpasses (and many would say outshines) those elsewhere.”
Italy
Or even Croatia. When it comes to the cost of living, the value is exceptional.
In the meantime, the specialist group at
Magic Towns
A guide for those moving to Albania mentions they receive queries from British citizens nearly every day.
Sara Alimehmeti, an editor from Magic Towns, clarifies: “We observe that the combination of affordable living costs, favorable climate, high standard of living, and notably low taxes makes these places very appealing to foreign residents overall. Recently, there has been a notable interest among Britons—our sense is that this trend correlates with concerns about potential tax hikes back home.”
For retired Brits considering hopping on this bandwagon, here’s your comprehensive guide to the top spots to reside in Albania, details on obtaining a visa, expenses related to accommodation, and an overview of their healthcare system…
Visas and tax perks
British pensioners can apply for ‘Albania’s specialized retirement visa designed for non-EU/EEA nationals,’ according to William Cooper, who serves as the marketing director at an expatriate company.
William Russell
.
He states: “The beginning stages of the process require acquiring a ‘D’ Visa, allowing for an extended stay while your residency request is under review.”
‘Later, you can apply for a residence permit via the e-Albania portal. For this process, you usually have to provide documentation of your housing, proof of adequate finances, and health insurance coverage.’
To obtain the visa, pensioners must show evidence of a ‘minimum regular monthly pension income of 120,000 Albanian lek (£1,011/$1,271)’, according to William.
In terms of tax perks, the experts at Magic Towns explain that for foreign retirees in Albania, ‘income from pensions – including state, private and foreign pensions – is typically tax-free’.
Politics and culture
Albania was under the rule of a communist dictatorship from 1946 until the early 1990s. At this time it was closed off and known as the ‘
North Korea
of Europe’.
Things have changed a lot since then and Albania is now a parliamentary democracy with a president as head of state and a prime minister as head of government. The current prime minister is Edi Rama, who has been in the role since 2013.
Albania is a nation without an official religion, described as secular; however, the 2023 census carried out by
Institute of Statistics
, 53 per cent of the population identify as Muslims, 16 per cent as Christians, 17 per cent as non-religious and 16 per cent as undeclared.
Jennifer from International Living shares with MailOnline, “People often have outdated misconceptions about Albania. When mentioned, many might wonder, ‘Isn’t that an old Communist stronghold—still around?’ However, Albania has been a democracy since the early 1990s. It’s welcoming and offers a great lifestyle at affordable costs.”
The nation boasts ‘the greatest density of cafes per person globally,’ according to Sara from Magic Towns, who also notes its strong connectivity to the UK via direct flights to London Heathrow, Luton, and Stansted airports, along with routes to Birmingham and Manchester departing from Tirana Airport.
Housing and where to live
The expat experts at Magic Towns explain that Albania’s property market ‘offers a diverse range of options’, from gated luxury apartment complexes to Ottoman-style houses and ‘turn-of-the-century’ Italianate homes. They say Tirana – the capital – and two seaside spots – Vlorë and Saranda – are great options for retirees.
Tirana
Sara at Magic Towns reveals to MailOnline: ‘As the capital, Tirana has the best infrastructure, plenty of recent investments, and the most healthcare and education options. I’d say it is a great choice for retirees who enjoy an active lifestyle, with lots of cafes, restaurants, bars, and cultural events.’
Cost:
Magic Towns says that a one-bedroom apartment costs around €400-€700/£332-£582/$418-$732 per month in the city centre, while outside the centre it’s closer to €250-€500/£207-£415/$261-$523. Property prices range from €1,500-€3,000/£1247-£2495/$1,569-$3,139 per square metre.
Vlorë
Sara explains: ‘Vlorë is a coastal city along the famous Albanian Riviera and the perfect destination for retirees who want to live by the sea. It has a growing expat community, a newly developed lungomare (seaside promenade) and easy access to some of Albania’s most beautiful beaches. It’s quieter than Tirana, but it still has everything you need, including an urban centre. In summer, it gets livelier but also crowded with tourists and locals.’
Cost:
The cost varies depending on how close you are to the sea, with beachfront homes reaching prices of around €1,200-€2,500/£998-£2,079/$1,255-$2,616 for each square meter. Typically, rents here are about 20-30 percent less expensive compared to those in Tirana.
Saranda
‘Saranda is the most welcoming of the trio and has long appealed to retired residents,’ clarifies Sara. She continues, ‘It shares a vibe akin to Vlorë, offering beautiful ocean vistas and that delightful ambiance typical of beachside towns. Additionally, Sarande boasts direct ferry service to Corfu, Greece. The winter months see less activity since it primarily thrives during the tourist season.’
Cost:
The cost varies depending on how close you are to the sea, with beachfront homes ranging from €1,200-€2,500/£998-£2,079/$1,255-$2,616 for each square meter. Typically, rent prices here are about 20-30 percent less compared to those in Tirana.
Cost of living
According to
Numbeo
The average cost of living in Albania is 50 percent less compared to the UK, with rents being up to 70 percent cheaper. Additionally, the cost of living is 11 percent lower in Spain, another favored spot for British retirees.
Sara mentions that dining at an average-priced eatery might set you back around €8-€15/£6.65-£12.48/$8.37-$15.70 per person for a meal, whereas a cup of coffee generally costs less than €1/83p/$1.05.
She mentions that a pair might easily manage with spending between €250-€400/£207-£332/$261-$418 each month on food, based on how they live. Meanwhile, utilities like electricity, water, and internet typically amount to roughly €100/£83/$104 monthly.
Healthcare
William from William Russell clarifies: “In Albania, the healthcare system is universally accessible and supported through both compulsory and optional payments, with additional funding coming from the government’s treasury.”
He cautions that the ‘standard of public healthcare might differ’ and amenities could be restricted beyond Tirana.
Nevertheless, the specialist points out that ‘private healthcare has experienced substantial expansion,’ and these establishments typically ‘offer a superior level of care.’
He suggests that retirees buy private global health coverage and look into relocating to places where medical services are easily accessible, unlike in some countryside regions.
‘We simply fell for the warmth of the locals and the charm of the nation.’
The welcoming nature of Albania’s inhabitants is among the factors contributing to Deborah and James Riley’s enjoyment of their retired life in a village near the port city of Durrës. The couple, who are both over 70 years old, relocated from Bloomington, Indiana, in 2020. Deborah shares with MailOnline, “When we arrived here, we were met with an abundance of warmth, affection, and camaraderie. It wasn’t long before we developed a deep appreciation for the locals and the nation’s splendor.”
James shares, “People here are extremely hospitable towards individuals from different nations. My wife and I purchased our home from some brothers who have been incredibly kind to us due to our age. Recently, about two weeks back, we experienced a massive flood which ruined the motor of my car. When I mentioned that I didn’t quite have the funds at hand for repairs, one of them responded with, ‘Don’t worry; I will take care of it. Consider it bought. You can settle up with me later.'”
The pair mention that they manage to allocate just $7/£5.56 per day for sustenance, covering meals not only for themselves but also for their four pets and some stray animals around the area.
Deborah shares: “In everyone’s yards, plenty of fruits and veggies are thriving, making the small shops where we purchase our produce really fresh. Our selection includes oranges, lemons, kumquats, pomegranates, and olives. Arugula grows throughout the year here as well, along with beautiful roses.”
James shares, “Albania is among the most stunning destinations you will visit. Within just an hour’s journey, you’ll encounter incredible diversity. Move another hour ahead, and you’ll discover yet more differences. In our small village, you can stroll to the remnants of a Byzantine church.”
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