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What it’s like Living in Albania as an Expat (2025)

ByBrooke

The pros and cons of living in Albania as an expat include cost of living, weather, visas, healthcare, and corruption. Albania is one of the best countries in the world for slow travel and digital nomads. Plus, Albania is considered one of the safest countries in the world for solo female travelers.

Albania is located in the Balkans, and has a unique blend of natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and a rapidly developing economy. With the stunning Alps mountain range in the north, pristine beaches along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, and a fascinating history spanning centuries, Albania has become an increasingly attractive destination for expats and digital nomads seeking a new adventure. 

However, like any other place, living in Albania comes with its own set of advantages and challenges. In this blog post, I will speak about my own personal experience living in Albania for a year as a solo female traveler (2023 – 2024). I cover factors such as safety, cost of living, quality of life, and cultural integration. 

Whether you’re considering a move to Albania or simply curious about what it’s like to live there, this post is meant to help you make an informed decision.

national historical museum tirana albania things to do in tirana

Table of Contents

Pros of Living in Albania

tirana albania city buildings

Affordable Cost of Living

Relative to the rest of Europe and the US, Albania is really affordable. However, in the last few years, they have had an influx of people moving into the main capital city of Tirana, which has caused prices to rise. So while it’s not as cheap as it was in 2020, it’s still an affordable place to live.

Unfortunately, they often take advantage of foreigners by charging more for rent. A one bedroom apartment in Tirana will cost between $500-$700 USD per month (2024). Locals will pay $250-$500. However, this is still so much cheaper than the rest of Europe and the US, so it still makes it an affordable place to live. 

Electricity should cost between $20-$50 per month depending on the season (it will cost more to use the heater in the colder months). Coffee/ espresso costs between $1 – $3. Meals in restaurants cost between $4 – $15. Drinks in a bar cost around $4 – $10. 

All said and done, it is easy for one person (or two people living together) to live comfortably in Albania for less than $1000 per month. 

Check out How to Live in Albania for more information about daily life as an expat.

Long and Easy Visas

Albania is one of the best countries in the world for slow travel and digital nomads. They are one of the only countries in the world that offer US citizens one-year visa free, without any paperwork. Most other countries including the EU, Canada, Mexico, several countries in South America, Asia, and the Middle East get 90 days visa free to visit Albania. For more specific information, check out Albania’s guide to visas.  

albania pebble beach clear water

Climate

Albania has a Mediterranean climate along its coastline, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. 

Living in Albania means you get pleasant weather for 6-8 months out of the year. Be warned, a couple months in the summer (June – August) can get oppressively hot (90’s F for weeks/months). And a couple months in the winter (December – February) can be cold and rainy (40’s F). 

Tirana is one of the sunniest cities in Europe. Even in the winter, the sun shines and it is pleasant to walk around outside. Spring and fall are beautiful, with plenty of flowers and orange leaves respectively. 

To Summarize: Most of the year in Albania has pleasant weather. A few months get unbearably hot in the summer, and a couple months in the winter are cold and rainy.

Internet

Broadband internet is widely available in major cities and towns in Albania, with access provided by various providers offering DSL, cable, fiber-optic, and wireless connections. In urban centers like Tirana, Durres, and Shkodër, internet speeds are generally faster and more reliable compared to rural areas. 

The internet in Albania is reliable and available. Speeds are good for streaming and downloading. Wifi is commonly available in cafes and coworking spaces. Vodafone is the largest cellular network provider, with monthly plans starting at around $10 per month, making it easy and affordable to stay connected.  

English-Speaking

English is widely known in Albania, and most younger people speak it pretty well. English is taught in schools, and the kids learn it from watching American movies/ TV and listening to music in English. The older generation generally doesn’t speak English, so learning a few words to purchase from produce stands can come in handy. That being said, I only speak English and it has been very easy getting around and living here. 

filikuri beach albania

Natural Beauty

Despite being a small country, Albania has stunning landscapes. There are Greek-like beaches in the south on the Riviera and the rugged Alps in the north. Albania is ideal for people looking for an active lifestyle. There are a lot of outdoor activities to do, like hiking and swimming, and even a lot of canyons and rivers to explore. 

The beaches get very crowded during peak tourist season (June – August). The shoulder seasons (April – May and September – October) bring fewer tourists while still having great weather. 

Safety

Albania is considered one of the safest countries in the world for solo female travelers. Every single Albanian person I have talked to has been proud to tell me how safe Albania is. This is actually a very impressive feat considering they had a brutal civil war and a complete change of government in the 90’s. I have been told that there are no areas of the city that are unsafe, and violent crime against tourists/ foreigners is virtually unheard of.*

You can freely walk around the city with your phone in your hands and not worry about it being stolen. Bag snatching and pickpocketing are also very rare in Albania, including in the capital city, Tirana.

I was told that even walking around at night is safe, and the few times I walked home when it was dark (before midnight) I felt totally safe, except once. A guy followed me in his car and was trying to talk to me, despite saying no to him several times. I told this story to a few Albanians and they all told he was trying to get my number. Hitting on women from their cars as a display of wealth is a common approach here. So while I felt unsafe, it could be argued that my safety was not actually in jeopardy…

However….

*I was attacked by a man with a knife in broad daylight while sitting in a park in Tirana (where I had been literally dozens of times before). Read the full story in this post.  

Cons of Living in Albania

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Public Transit

Unfortunately, unlike the rest of Europe, Albania doesn’t have trains. Albania’s public transit system primarily consists of buses, minibuses, and taxis. 

Buses and minibuses are the most common and affordable means of public transportation in Albania. They operate between cities, towns, and rural areas, connecting different regions of the country. Minibuses allow convenient transportation to southern destinations like Vlora and Sarande, and to the Alps in the north.

Taxis are widely available in urban centers like Tirana, Durres, and other major cities. They are generally more expensive than buses. Taxis can be hailed on the street or booked through taxi companies or mobile apps.

The capital city of Tirana has a bus system. The downside is that the buses can frequently be late (like, really late). They are inexpensive, and when they are on time, it is a convenient way to get around the city. That being said, the city is small enough that it’s walkable. If you live in the main part of Tirana (not the outskirts) you can walk everywhere and won’t need to fuss with the buses. However, the buses are easy to use– you just pay in cash (40 Lek, $0.44 USD) to the attendant after you get on. 

Overall, Albania’s public transit system provides basic but functional transportation. While improvements to infrastructure and services continue to be made, particularly in urban areas, challenges such as limited routes, overcrowding, and inconsistent schedules may still be encountered.

tirana albania traffic

Traffic

The capital city of Tirana has experienced massive growth in the last few years due to people moving from rural areas into the city for work. I was told that the population in the city has nearly doubled in the last 5 years, and the city hasn’t been able to keep up. 

Gridlock traffic brings the city to a standstill for more than just rush hour. This often makes getting around by car or bus frustrating. Spending a long time waiting for the bus (that was late) just to sit in traffic…… annoying. If you can, I’d recommend walking and only taking the bus for long distances.

Traffic to and from the airport is very bad. The drive from Tirana city center used to take 40 minutes and now usually takes more than an hour.  

Plus, the design of the road and entrance to the airport is deeply flawed– it requires all traffic to take a U-turn and retrace the route, the whole thing being like 1km. This road has only two lanes, and it is constantly gridlocked. One time I flew out of Tirana’s airport, the bus was not moving at all for 15 minutes before most of us decided to get out and walk the rest of the way to the airport (10 minute walk). 

litter trash tirana albania

Trash / Littering

Unfortunately, Albania is known for being filled with trash. There are piles of trash desecrating their beautiful nature, including beaches, trails, parks, lakes, the side of the road, parking lots, everywhere. There are still a few unspoiled places, but they are increasingly becoming harder to find.

I was shocked at the number of times I actually witnessed people littering. People would just throw food wrappers on the sidewalks, and leave their piles of trash in the parks. A guy who lived in the same building as me would regularly throw his trash out his window onto the street. I saw a guy casually dump a handful of garbage on the street outside his business, like it was no big deal. 

The cities lack trash bins, especially ones of adequate size. But still, people throwing their trash on the street is a cultural problem, and it’s absolutely shameful. 

Scams

People scam foreigners and tourists in every country, and unfortunately Albania is no exception. The most common “scam” is overcharging for things. I had several negative experiences in Albania of people trying to get unfair amounts of money from me.

For example, I had one landlord for an apartment I rented charge me double for electricity for a couple months (he wouldn’t provide me with copies of the bills). When I told him I was moving out because of this, he tried to use anger to intimidate me into submission. Other more common instances are being overcharged for things in locally owned stores, taxis, and restaurants.

When buying things, make sure to count your change to make sure they gave you the correct amount back.

Pickpocketing seems to be pretty uncommon in Albania, while walking on the sidewalks and out in public. But of course, use common sense.

tirana airport arrivals albania

Overtourism

Albania got excited with the new tourism they were getting since 2020 and unfortunately they have kinda botched it. They have been marketing themselves as the “Maldives of Europe” with their beautiful southern coastline and sunny Mediterranean weather. The south is indeed beautiful, but the tourism boom has people being greedy and tourist scams are abundant. 

In many beaches in Ksamil, Sarande, and Vlora, a couple of beach chairs could cost more than $30 for the day!!!! It’s outrageous. Especially considering what you get! They fill the entire beach with chairs and umbrellas–so it’s crowded– and then there’s trash everywhere. And the beach chairs themselves are dirty, stained, falling apart, and look like they need maintenance and care. 

All the well known beaches in the south are overcrowded from June – September. The north is a bit better, but it is quickly growing, and it’s only a matter of time before it’s filled with big hotels and trash. (There’s trash there now, and it will only get worse). 

A lot of the accommodations are cheaply (and quickly) built and furnished. It seems like they are just trying to slap shit together to make as much money as possible. 

The result is that the quality is low and the prices are high. 

So if you live in Albania, it is best to go to the “touristy places” during the shoulder seasons (April – May, October – November). 

albania food meal meat

Lack of Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurants

Albanian people consume a lot of cheese and meat. Beef, chicken, fish, and pork are very common. Cheese is served with a lot of meals, usually accompanying main dishes, even breakfast.

In Tirana, the largest city, there are lots of restaurants serving good food. However, finding vegetarian or vegan meals is challenging. Finding a vegan restaurant is basically impossible. This is even more challenging in smaller cities or rural areas, where veganism is basically unheard of.

In Tirana, I found some places that had a small selection of vegetarian or vegan dishes. Additionally, for vegan food, you won’t really know if it’s actually vegan. Most people who aren’t familiar with a vegan diet will forget that sometimes there are animal products used in various breads, in broth for soups, sauces, and other dishes. So sometimes, if it looks vegan, it might not actually be vegan.

If you are strictly vegan, the best option will be to either only eat salads and fruit, or buy delicious seasonal produce from the vegetable stands and cook your own meals.

Healthcare

Healthcare in Albania is *bad*. The national healthcare facilities are generally poor and in need of new, modern equipment. However, there are private clinics that have modern facilities and staff who often speak English. Additionally, healthcare costs, even at private facilities, are lower compared to many Western countries, making medical services surprisingly affordable. That being said, any major surgery or medical treatment would be best to have done outside the country.

The quality of healthcare outside major urban centers may vary, with rural areas often lacking in facilities and specialized care. Expats should also be aware of potential challenges such as long wait times, limited availability of certain medications, and varying standards of hygiene. 

Based on what a few locals told me about the care they received, I would personally rather fly to another country than receive healthcare in Albania: doctors prescribing antibiotics for a cold (viruses can’t be treated with antibiotics…… *facepalm*), doctors prescribing antibiotics for dry eyes, doctors claiming a cold sore is just a fever and not the herpes virus, doctors saying that ADHD isn’t a real condition and therefore the person didn’t need the meds their American doctor prescribed…….. the list goes on. 

The doctors don’t seem well trained in modern medicine, and don’t seem to understand the basics of germ theory. Furthermore, they seem to wholly abuse and participate in the antibiotic resistant catastrophe. Hard f’ing pass.

smoking cigarette tirana albania

Smoking

It seems like everyone in Albania smokes cigarettes. The worst part is that they can still smoke indoors and on (covered/ enclosed) patios. This makes sitting at some restaurants or cafes almost impossible to enjoy without secondhand smoke. What’s crazy to me is that the parents of newborn babies and young kids will smoke right near them, smoke billowing over their young faces. As we know from the 8,000+ scientific studies on the effects of cigarette use, this is crucially damaging to children, and anyone else who breathes in the smoke. 

If you want to enjoy a coffee without feeling like you’re trapped inside a house fire, try to find cafes with fully outdoor patios to get some fresh air. 

corruption tirana albania

Corruption

Despite efforts to combat it, corruption remains a systemic problem in various sectors of Albanian society, including government, law enforcement, and business. Although Expats and tourists normally won’t be affected by the corruption in Albania, those who wish to put down deeper roots, especially buying real estate or starting a business, will probably encounter different levels of corruption. 

Expats may find themselves frustrated by bureaucratic inefficiencies, requests for bribes, or unfair treatment due to connections or favors. This pervasive issue can undermine trust in institutions and hinder the smooth functioning of daily life, from obtaining permits and licenses to engaging in business transactions. While progress has been made in recent years, dealing with it is a notable downside for expats establishing a life in Albania.

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Summary

In conclusion, Albania is a good place to live for expats seeking a modern yet affordable place to live. Albania is a safe* place and has a lot of natural beauty, rich history, and nice climate. Because of this, Albania makes the list for great places to hang out for a while. However, navigating infrastructure limitations and occasional cultural differences may pose obstacles for some. 

Personally, I do not wish to go back to Albania, especially Tirana. I got really tired of the constant attempts at price gouging, the trash everywhere, the traffic (and honking horns and revving engines), and all the creepy men. 

*The men made the whole environment uncomfortable. I felt on edge having to share the sidewalks and just exist in the same place as them. Whether it was going for a walk, sitting in the park, enjoying a coffee, or filing a police report, I was constantly hit on, stared at, and given unwanted attention. Because of this, I rarely felt at peace in Albania. 

Albania has so much potential but they have to make some serious changes if they want a robust and safe tourism industry.

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