Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Albania Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Albania Property Pack
Albania is one of the most affordable countries in Europe for property buyers, but knowing the exact costs upfront can save you from unpleasant surprises at the notary's office.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest fees, taxes, and regulations so you always have accurate information.
Below, we break down every cost you will face as a foreign buyer in Albania, from mandatory notary fees to optional legal checks.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Albania.
Overall, how much extra should I budget on top of the purchase price in Albania in 2026?
How much are total buyer closing costs in Albania in 2026?
As of early 2026, total buyer closing costs in Albania typically range from 1% to 3.5% of the purchase price, which means on a 10 million ALL property (around 100,000 EUR or 105,000 USD), you would pay between 100,000 and 350,000 ALL (1,000 to 3,500 EUR or 1,050 to 3,700 USD) in extra fees.
If you keep expenses to the bare legal minimum by skipping optional services like independent lawyers and buyer agents, you can get away with just 0.6% to 1.2% of the price, or roughly 60,000 to 120,000 ALL (600 to 1,200 EUR or 630 to 1,260 USD) on that same property.
However, if you want full protection with a buyer agent, independent lawyer, translator, and valuation, you should realistically plan for 3.5% to 6% of the price, which translates to 350,000 to 600,000 ALL (3,500 to 6,000 EUR or 3,700 to 6,300 USD) on a 10 million ALL purchase.
The main factors that push your Albania closing costs toward the low or high end are whether you hire a buyer-side real estate agent (adds 2% to 3%), whether you need an independent lawyer for due diligence (adds 300 to 1,000 EUR), and how complex your property's title and permit history turns out to be.
What's the usual total % of fees and taxes over the purchase price in Albania?
For buyers in Albania, the usual total percentage of fees and taxes over the purchase price falls between 1% and 3% if you are not paying a buyer-side agent, which is lower than most European countries.
The realistic range that covers most standard Albania property transactions is 1% to 6%, with the wide spread depending almost entirely on whether you engage a buyer agent and how much legal support you need.
Most of that percentage goes to professional service fees like the notary (0.23% to 0.35%) and optional lawyer or agent costs, while government taxes on the buyer side are minimal since Albania's transfer tax is legally the seller's responsibility.
By the way, you will find much more detailed data in our property pack covering the real estate market in Albania.
What costs are always mandatory when buying in Albania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the mandatory costs when buying property in Albania include the notary fee for the sale transfer (0.23% to 0.35% of the price), the notary's registration request to ASHK (4,000 ALL or about 40 EUR / 42 USD), and the ASHK registration fee for the sales contract (3,500 ALL or roughly 35 EUR / 37 USD).
While not legally required, costs that are highly recommended for foreign buyers in Albania include hiring an independent lawyer for title and permit checks (300 to 1,000 EUR or 315 to 1,050 USD), professional translation and interpreter services (100 to 300 EUR or 105 to 315 USD), and a property valuation if you are financing or the price seems unusually low.
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What taxes do I pay when buying a property in Albania in 2026?
What is the property transfer tax rate in Albania in 2026?
As of early 2026, Albania does have a local property transfer tax, but under the Local Taxes Law the person who pays it is the seller (the one transferring ownership), not the buyer, which means this tax should not appear in your buyer budget.
There are no extra transfer taxes specifically targeting foreigners buying residential property in Albania, so your costs as a foreign buyer follow the same notary and registration fee structure as local buyers.
Buyers may encounter VAT on residential property purchases in Albania when buying a new-build directly from a VAT-registered developer, in which case the 20% VAT is typically included in the advertised price, but you should always confirm this in the sales contract.
Albania does not have a separate UK-style stamp duty for residential buyers, so the main "tax-like" costs you will pay are the notary tariff and cadastre registration fees rather than a standalone stamp duty payment.
Are there tax exemptions or reduced rates for first-time buyers in Albania?
Albania does not currently offer a clear, general tax exemption or reduced transfer tax rate for first-time residential property buyers based on the official legal sources we reviewed.
If you buy property through a company instead of as an individual in Albania, the notary and registration mechanics remain similar, but you may face different reporting requirements and the way rental income is later taxed shifts from individual investment income to business profits.
The main tax difference between buying a new-build versus a resale property in Albania is that new-builds from developers may have 20% VAT embedded in the price, while resale transactions between individuals typically do not involve VAT complications on the buyer side.
Since Albania lacks a formal first-time buyer exemption program for property taxes, there are no specific documentation requirements to qualify for such benefits, though you should always keep purchase records for potential future capital gains calculations.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Albania versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
Which professional fees will I pay as a buyer in Albania in 2026?
How much does a notary or conveyancing lawyer cost in Albania in 2026?
As of early 2026, notary fees for property sales in Albania follow an official tariff that ranges from 0.35% for properties up to 6 million ALL (60,000 EUR / 63,000 USD) down to 0.23% for properties above 100 million ALL (1 million EUR / 1.05 million USD), so on a typical 10 million ALL apartment you would pay around 30,000 ALL (300 EUR / 315 USD).
Notary fees in Albania are charged as a percentage of the property price based on official tariff bands, not as a flat rate, and importantly, if your declared purchase price is below the government's reference price for that zone, the notary will calculate the fee on the higher reference price instead.
Translation and interpreter services for foreign buyers completing a property purchase in Albania typically cost between 10,000 and 30,000 ALL (100 to 300 EUR / 105 to 315 USD) for a straightforward signing package, with more complex files involving multiple documents costing more.
Most buyers purchasing a home to live in do not need a tax advisor in Albania, but if you plan to rent out the property or use a company structure, you should budget 30,000 to 80,000 ALL (300 to 800 EUR / 315 to 840 USD) for a one-off advisory setup.
We have a whole part dedicated to these topics in our our real estate pack about Albania.
What's the typical real estate agent fee in Albania in 2026?
As of early 2026, there is no official nationwide tariff for real estate agent fees in Albania, but when buyers do pay an agent commission it typically falls around 2% to 3% of the purchase price, which on a 10 million ALL property means 200,000 to 300,000 ALL (2,000 to 3,000 EUR / 2,100 to 3,150 USD).
Whether the buyer or seller pays the agent fee in Albania varies by deal and city, so you should never assume the seller will cover it and instead clarify this in writing early in your negotiations.
The realistic range for agent fees in Albania spans from 0% if you buy directly from the owner or the seller pays the full commission, up to 3% if you agree to pay a buyer-side fee, making it one of the most negotiable closing costs.
How much do legal checks cost (title, liens, permits) in Albania?
Legal checks including title search, liens verification, and permits review in Albania typically cost between 30,000 and 100,000 ALL (300 to 1,000 EUR / 315 to 1,050 USD) depending on whether you are buying a simple apartment or a property with complex permit history like coastal developments.
Property valuation fees in Albania, which are especially useful if you are financing or suspect the price is too low, typically range from 15,000 to 40,000 ALL (150 to 400 EUR / 160 to 420 USD) for a standard residential valuation.
The most critical legal check you should never skip in Albania is the title and ownership verification through ASHK (the State Cadastre Agency), because Albania's property registration history includes periods of informal construction and legalization issues that can create serious problems if discovered after purchase.
Buying a property with hidden issues is something we mention in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying real estate in Albania.
Get the full checklist for your due diligence in Albania
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What hidden or surprise costs should I watch for in Albania right now?
What are the most common unexpected fees buyers discover in Albania?
The most common unexpected fees buyers discover in Albania include the notary fee being calculated on the government's reference price instead of your lower declared price, extra document retrieval charges from ASHK for certificates and extracts (often 1,500 ALL or 15 EUR each), and last-minute legal costs to fix title or permit issues.
Yes, there can be unpaid property taxes or utility debts attached to a property in Albania that could delay your registration or become a negotiation headache, which is exactly why pre-signing legal checks are worth the 300 to 1,000 EUR investment.
Fake listings and inflated fees do occur in Albania's property market, so your best protection is to pay only through documented channels, sign all agreements at the notary's office, and verify ownership status and encumbrances through ASHK before paying any large deposits.
Fees that are usually not disclosed upfront in Albania include buyer-side agent commissions (if any), translation and interpreter costs, the full scope of legal due diligence fees, and small cadastre document extras that add up over time.
In our property pack covering the property buying process in Albania, we go into details so you can avoid these pitfalls.
Are there extra fees if the property has a tenant in Albania?
If the property you are buying in Albania has a tenant, you should budget extra for lawyer time to review the existing tenancy terms and termination rules, which typically adds 10,000 to 30,000 ALL (100 to 300 EUR / 105 to 315 USD) to your legal fees.
When you purchase a tenanted property in Albania, you legally inherit the existing lease agreement and must honor its terms until the contract expires or is terminated according to Albanian tenancy law.
Terminating an existing lease immediately after purchase in Albania is generally not possible unless the lease agreement contains specific break clauses, so you need to review the contract carefully before buying.
A sitting tenant in Albania typically affects the property's market value negatively and gives you more negotiating power on price, since many buyers prefer vacant properties and the rental income may not compensate for the reduced flexibility.
If you want to optimize your rental strategy, you can read our complete guide on how to buy and rent out in Albania.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Albania. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
Which fees are negotiable, and who really pays what in Albania?
Which closing costs are negotiable in Albania right now?
The closing costs that are negotiable in Albania include the real estate agent fee (if any), who pays for small administrative steps like document retrieval, and the deposit structure and timing which can reduce your risk exposure.
Closing costs that are fixed by law and cannot be negotiated in Albania include the notary tariffs set by official instruction and the ASHK cadastre registration fees established in government decisions.
On negotiable fees like agent commissions in Albania, buyers can realistically achieve discounts of 0.5% to 1% off the standard rate, especially in slower market periods or when dealing directly with motivated sellers.
Can I ask the seller to cover some closing costs in Albania?
In Albania, it is moderately common for sellers to agree to cover some closing costs, especially small registration fees and document costs, though success depends heavily on how motivated the seller is and current market conditions.
The specific closing costs that sellers in Albania are most commonly willing to cover include small cadastre document fees, agent commissions (especially if the seller engaged the agent), and sometimes a portion of the notary costs as part of overall price negotiations.
Sellers in Albania are more likely to accept covering closing costs when the property has been on the market for a long time, during slower seasons like winter, or when they need to sell quickly due to personal circumstances.
Is price bargaining common in Albania in 2026?
As of early 2026, price bargaining is common and expected in Albania's property market, though the discount you can achieve depends heavily on the city, season, property type, and how realistically the seller priced the property initially.
Buyers in Albania typically negotiate between 3% and 10% below the asking price, which on a 10 million ALL property means potential savings of 300,000 to 1 million ALL (3,000 to 10,000 EUR / 3,150 to 10,500 USD), though highly desirable properties in Tirana or coastal areas may have less room for negotiation.
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What monthly, quarterly or annual costs will I pay as an owner in Albania?
What's the realistic monthly owner budget in Albania right now?
A realistic monthly owner budget in Albania for a typical apartment, excluding utilities, ranges from 3,000 to 15,000 ALL (30 to 150 EUR / 32 to 160 USD) depending on your building's services and location.
The main recurring expense categories that make up this monthly budget in Albania are building maintenance and common area fees (especially in apartment blocks), property insurance (optional but recommended), and your share of the annual property tax spread across the year.
The realistic low-to-high range for monthly owner costs in Albania spans from 3,000 ALL (30 EUR / 32 USD) for a simple apartment with minimal services to 20,000 ALL (200 EUR / 210 USD) or more for a larger property or one in a building with elevators, security, and maintained gardens.
The monthly cost that tends to vary the most in Albania is the building maintenance fee, because it depends entirely on what amenities your building has, how well the condominium is managed, and whether any major repairs are needed.
You can see how this budget affect your gross and rental yields in Albania here.
What is the annual property tax amount in Albania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the annual property tax rate for residential buildings in Albania is 0.05% of the property's taxable value, which for a typical home means owners often pay between 2,000 and 20,000 ALL (20 to 200 EUR / 21 to 210 USD) per year, though higher-value properties pay more.
The realistic low-to-high range for annual property taxes in Albania depends on your property's assessed value, with modest apartments paying around 2,000 to 5,000 ALL (20 to 50 EUR / 21 to 53 USD) and larger or more valuable properties paying 15,000 to 50,000 ALL (150 to 500 EUR / 160 to 525 USD) or more.
Property tax in Albania is calculated based on a taxable value determined by a government methodology, not simply your purchase price, which means the assessed value may be higher or lower than what you actually paid.
There may be exemptions or reductions available for certain property owners in Albania depending on specific circumstances, but general residential buyers should plan to pay the standard 0.05% rate unless a qualified advisor confirms an exemption applies to their case.
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Albania. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
If I rent it out, what extra taxes and fees apply in Albania in 2026?
What tax rate applies to rental income in Albania in 2026?
As of early 2026, rental income in Albania is treated as investment income and is taxed at a flat rate of 15% for individual property owners.
Landlords in Albania can deduct certain expenses from rental income taxes, but the specific qualifying expenses depend on how the rental activity is classified and documented, so working with a tax advisor is recommended if you want to optimize deductions safely.
The realistic effective tax rate after deductions for typical landlords in Albania ranges from around 10% to 15%, depending on how well you document expenses like maintenance, insurance, and property management costs.
Foreign property owners in Albania generally pay the same 15% rental income tax rate as residents, though non-residents should confirm their tax obligations and potential treaty benefits with a local tax advisor.
Do I pay tax on short-term rentals in Albania in 2026?
As of early 2026, short-term rental income in Albania is generally taxable and falls under the same investment income rules, meaning you should expect to pay income tax on your earnings at a minimum.
Short-term rental income is not taxed at a fundamentally different rate than long-term rental income in Albania, but if your short-term rental activity becomes "business-like" with frequent turnover and services, additional registration requirements and potentially VAT rules may apply.
If you want to optimize your rental strategy, you can read our complete guide on how to buy and rent out in Albania.
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If I sell later, what taxes and fees will I pay in Albania in 2026?
What's the total cost of selling as a % of price in Albania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the total cost of selling a property in Albania typically ranges from 3% to 8% of the sale price, driven primarily by agent commissions and the seller's capital gains tax.
The realistic low-to-high percentage range for total selling costs in Albania spans from around 3% if you sell without an agent and have minimal taxable gain, to 8% or more if you use an agent and owe significant capital gains tax on your profit.
The specific cost categories that make up selling expenses in Albania include real estate agent commission (if used), capital gains tax on profit (15% of the gain), notary and administrative fees, and legal costs for preparing sale documents.
The single largest contributor to selling expenses in Albania is usually either the agent commission (2% to 3% of price) or the capital gains tax (15% of your profit), depending on how much your property appreciated since purchase.
What capital gains tax applies when selling in Albania in 2026?
As of early 2026, the capital gains tax rate that applies when selling property in Albania is 15% on the profit (capital gain) you realize from the sale, and this is a seller-side cost that should be factored into your exit planning.
Exemptions to capital gains tax in Albania may be available depending on specific circumstances like residency status or classification, but buyers should treat the 15% rate as the default planning assumption unless a qualified local advisor confirms an exemption applies to their exact situation.
Foreigners selling property in Albania do not appear to face a general surcharge or higher capital gains rate based on the official sources we reviewed, so the key factor in your tax bill is whether you made a profit, not your nationality.
Capital gains in Albania are calculated as the difference between your sale price and your original purchase price, and proper documentation of your acquisition cost is essential to prove your taxable gain accurately.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Albania compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Albania, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source Name | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| Qendra e Botimeve Zyrtare (QBZ) | Official Albanian gazette publisher for laws and consolidated legal texts. | We used QBZ to identify local property transfer tax rules and who legally pays them. We also sourced the annual building property tax rate of 0.05% for residential properties. |
| Fletorja Zyrtare 2020 Nr. 210 | Official gazette issue hosting legally binding notary tariff instructions. | We extracted the official notary tariff table for property sales showing percentage bands from 0.23% to 0.35%. We also confirmed the reference price rule for notary fee calculations. |
| ASHK (State Cadastre Agency) | Government authority that publishes official cadastre and registration service fees. | We used ASHK's VKM Nr. 389 decision to price registration fees like the 3,500 ALL contract registration and 4,000 ALL notary request fee. We built our minimum closing cost scenarios from these line items. |
| PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries (Albania Corporate) | Maintained by local tax specialists and updated frequently. | We confirmed the 20% VAT rate and its application to new-build developer sales. We used this to explain when VAT might be embedded in property prices. |
| PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries (Albania Individual) | Professional reference summarizing Albanian tax treatment clearly. | We confirmed the 15% capital gains tax on real estate transfers. We used this to explain why many "transfer tax" discussions in Albania are really about seller-side profit taxes. |
| KPMG Albania | Major audit and tax firm with Albania-specific income tax analysis. | We confirmed that rental income is taxed at 15% as investment income. We used this rate for rental yield and exit planning calculations. |
| Deloitte Legal Handbook for Real Estate Transactions | Cross-jurisdictional legal publication covering Albania transaction mechanics. | We cross-checked the typical purchase process of signing at a notary and registering with ASHK. We used this to validate which costs are unavoidable versus optional. |
| Albania Local Taxes Law (Law no. 9632/2006) | Primary legislation governing local property taxes in Albania. | We used this law to confirm the transfer tax is paid by the seller and to source the 0.05% annual residential property tax rate. |
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