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Albania · Housing & Relocation

Renting in Albania

Partially verified Last verified June 15, 2026 Reviewed by Henry van de Vorming

Albania, and especially Tirana, has an accessible and relatively inexpensive rental market that is open to foreigners with no ownership-style restrictions on renting. Long-term leases typically run six to twelve months (often a one-year minimum for formal contracts), governed by the tenant-oriented Law No. 9670 "On Renting Dwellings," which requires written contracts and lists rent, duration, deposit and termination terms. Deposits are modest (commonly one to two months) and agency commissions are low (about one month's rent or a small percentage), usually paid by the tenant, though landlords sometimes cover the fee for high-end properties or longer contracts. For an incoming nomad, the most practical entry path is a furnished mid-term rental via Flatio or Airbnb monthly stays, then transitioning to a local long-term contract found through MerrJep.al, Celesi, Njoftime.com or local agents and Facebook groups. Anyone living in Albania, including foreign residents with a residence permit, must declare their residential address ("Declaration of Residence") online through the e-Albania portal, using the lease as supporting proof.

The rental basics

Typical lease
1 year
Deposit
1 mo rent
Furnished
Furnished + unfurnished
Mid-term market
Strong mid-term market
Address registration
Required

Agency fee: Real estate agency commission for rentals is typically around one month's rent (or a percentage of the annual/monthly rent) and is usually paid by the tenant; landlords may cover the fee for high-end properties or longer-term contracts. Many properties are rented directly by owners via classifieds, in which case no agency fee applies. Mid-term platforms like Flatio and Airbnb build their fee into the listing price and are frequently deposit-free.

Address registration

Residents, including foreigners holding or obtaining a residence permit, must declare their residential address ("Declaration of Residence" / "Deklarimi i vendbanimit / vendqëndrimit"). The Albanian government has made this self-declaration mandatory and moved it online via the e-Albania portal, where you upload a legal document proving your link to the address, such as a (notarized) lease contract; the declaration itself is free.

Your rights as a tenant

Residential rentals are governed by Law No. 9670 "On Renting Dwellings." Leases must be in writing and specify rent, duration, deposit and termination terms. Landlords need valid grounds (such as non-payment or property damage) to evict, and eviction can be time-consuming. Rent increases are generally permitted annually and are referenced to the inflation rate published by the statistics institute INSTAT.

Good to know

  • Foreigners can rent residential property with no special restrictions; a written contract is standard and recommended.
  • Low entry costs: deposits are usually just one to two months and agency fees (where charged) are modest, often around one month's rent.
  • Strong furnished mid-term supply for nomads via Flatio and Airbnb monthly stays, many of them deposit-free.
  • Tenant-oriented legal framework (Law No. 9670) with required written leases and rent increases benchmarked to INSTAT inflation.

Watch out for

  • Property quality varies a lot, so viewing several apartments (or starting with a flexible mid-term stay) before committing is wise.
  • Always confirm exactly what 'furnished' includes (appliances, AC, washing machine, heating) and budget separately for utilities, which spike in winter.
  • Foreign residents must declare their address via e-Albania using the lease, so insist on a clear, current written contract with correct names and address.
  • Most local-classified landlords prefer long-term tenants; flag short or mid-term intentions upfront and expect short-term rentals to cost more per month.

Where to look

MerrJep.alCelesi.alNjoftime.comFlatioAirbnb (monthly stays)

Platforms are listed for orientation only — we don't endorse or rank them.

Renting in Albania: FAQ

Renting in Albania: FAQ

How much deposit do I need to rent in Albania?

Landlords typically ask for around 1 month of rent as a security deposit, on top of the first month upfront, plus any agency fee (real estate agency commission for rentals is typically around one month's rent (or a percentage of the annual/monthly rent) and is usually paid by the tenant; landlords may cover the fee for high-end properties or longer-term contracts. many properties are rented directly by owners via classifieds, in which case no agency fee applies. mid-term platforms like flatio and airbnb build their fee into the listing price and are frequently deposit-free.). Budget for that as a lump sum before you arrive.

Do I have to register my address in Albania?

Yes — Residents, including foreigners holding or obtaining a residence permit, must declare their residential address ("Declaration of Residence" / "Deklarimi i vendbanimit / vendqëndrimit"). The Albanian government has made this self-declaration mandatory and moved it online via the e-Albania portal, where you upload a legal document proving your link to the address, such as a (notarized) lease contract; the declaration itself is free.

Can I find furnished or short-term rentals in Albania?

Furnished + unfurnished and the mid-term market nomads rely on is strong mid-term market. Start your search on MerrJep.al, Celesi.al, Njoftime.com.

Sources