Republic of Albania · residence general
Residence by Real-Estate Ownership
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
If you own qualifying property in Albania, you can obtain residence on the basis of that ownership while you keep the property.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - the Border and Migration Police examine complete requests within published timelines; confirm current processing on the official page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - qualifying property thresholds were revised by Law 43/2025 and are indexed; confirm current figures on the official page.
- Typical duration
- Renewable while you own the qualifying property; not a direct settlement route on its own - confirm current rules on the official page.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
Overview
Albania grants residence on the basis of registered real-estate ownership under the Law on Foreigners (Law 79/2021), applied for through the e-Albania portal and issued by the Border and Migration Police. You must hold qualifying property that meets the conditions set in the implementing rules, and you keep the property throughout the residence period. Qualifying thresholds were revised by the 2025 amendments (Law 43/2025) effective in early 2026, so figures here are indicative only. It is renewable while you own the property; on its own it is not a direct settlement route, though lawful time can contribute toward permanent residence. Albania is an EU candidate, not an EU member.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓You own registered real estate in Albania that meets the qualifying conditions in the implementing rules.Border and Migration Police, Ministry of Interior (Albania) - Law 79/2021 ↗
- ✓You keep the qualifying property throughout the residence period.Border and Migration Police, Ministry of Interior (Albania) - Law 79/2021 ↗
- ✓You can evidence ownership and the property's value where required.Border and Migration Police, Ministry of Interior (Albania) - Law 79/2021 ↗
- ✓You hold a valid passport and attend the biometric appointment for the card.Border and Migration Police, Ministry of Interior (Albania) - Law 79/2021 ↗
Common blockers
- !Property that does not meet the qualifying conditions or the threshold set by Law 43/2025.Border and Migration Police, Ministry of Interior (Albania) - Law 79/2021 ↗
- !Selling or losing the qualifying property during the residence period.Border and Migration Police, Ministry of Interior (Albania) - Law 79/2021 ↗
- !Treating this route as a guaranteed direct settlement path on its own.Border and Migration Police, Ministry of Interior (Albania) - Law 79/2021 ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Valid passport and recent photographs.Border and Migration Police, Ministry of Interior (Albania) - Law 79/2021 ↗
- ·Title documents showing registered ownership of the qualifying property.Border and Migration Police, Ministry of Interior (Albania) - Law 79/2021 ↗
- ·A valuation or other proof that the property meets the qualifying conditions.Border and Migration Police, Ministry of Interior (Albania) - Law 79/2021 ↗
- ·Documents uploaded through the e-Albania portal as required.Border and Migration Police, Ministry of Interior (Albania) - Law 79/2021 ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm your Albanian property meets the qualifying conditions and threshold for the real-estate residence route.
Build the evidence pack
Gather your title documents, a valuation where needed, and your passport.
Submit through the official channel
Apply through the e-Albania portal, attend the biometric appointment at the Border and Migration Police, and pay the fees.
After approval
Renew while you keep the property and consider a settlement route if you intend to stay long term.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Residence by Real-Estate Ownership route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Residence by Real-Estate Ownership.
Border and Migration Police, Ministry of Interior (Albania) - Law 79/2021 · verified
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Frequently asked questions
What property value qualifies?+
Qualifying thresholds were revised by the 2025 amendments (Law 43/2025) and are indexed, so we do not quote a figure here. Confirm the current amounts on the official e-Albania page.
Does owning property lead straight to permanent residence?+
Not on its own - it is renewable while you hold the property, though lawful time can contribute toward permanent residence. Confirm the rules on the official e-Albania page.
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We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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