Residence permit in Albania through property ownership

How the residence permit through property works in Albania

Albania has no "golden visa", and simply buying property does not automatically make you a resident. However, under Law 79/2021 (Article 84), owning habitable property registered in your name can support an application for a renewable residence permit — a route many foreign owners use to spend extended time in the country.

There is no golden visa — but a habitable property of about 20 m² per person can support a renewable residence permit.

Requirements for a residence permit through property in Albania

The implementing rules set out what counts:

Property type

Habitable property registered in your name

Minimum size

~20 m² per person (a family of three ≈ 60 m²)

Ownership share

At least 50%

Minimum price

No minimum value stated in the primary law

What the Albanian property residence permit is not

• Not a golden visa — Albania has no investment-for-citizenship scheme.
• Not automatic — you still apply for and are granted the permit.
• Not permanent — it is a temporary, renewable permit (initially one year).
• Not citizenship — residency and citizenship are separate, longer paths.

A possible 2026 value threshold for the residence permit

There have been reports of a possible January 2026 amendment introducing a real-estate value threshold (around €300,000) for the residence route. As of writing this is unconfirmed by official Albanian government publications. Because residency rules are sensitive and change, always verify the current requirements with a qualified Albanian immigration lawyer before making decisions.