Purchase Costs: What You Pay Once
Albania has one of the lightest purchase tax regimes in Europe, but 'light' does not mean 'zero'. Here is the full picture for a foreign buyer:
- Buying from a developer (new build): no registration tax — VAT is already included in the price. This is a major advantage of new constructions.
- Buying a resale property: registration tax of about 2% of the taxable value, plus small cadastral fees.
- Notary fees: typically €150–400 depending on property value and document complexity.
- Legal / due diligence: from €300–800 for a standard apartment — the best money you will spend.
- Agency fee: usually 2–3% (+VAT), often split between buyer and seller; we negotiate this upfront.
- Translation & apostilles: €100–250 for sworn translations of your documents.
Running Costs: What You Pay Every Year
Owning costs are where Albania really shines. Annual property tax on an apartment is typically €30–120/year — yes, per year. Condominium fees in new buildings run €0.5–1.5/m²/month. Utilities for an 80 m² apartment average €60–100/month. If you rent out, rental income tax for individuals is 15% on net income, with straightforward declaration.
The Hidden Costs That Catch Foreign Buyers
Three items repeatedly surprise foreign buyers: infrastructure contributions on new builds (sometimes passed to the buyer in the contract), penalty clauses in off-plan payment plans, and currency exchange spreads when transferring the price — a 1–2% FX difference on €100,000 is real money. Our pre-purchase cost sheet lists every euro before you sign anything. Request it free with the form below.
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