If you come to visit Albania you will see how peaceful the Albanians are and that contrary to what most people believe it is a secure country with one of the lowest crime rate. Look at what is saying Lonely Planet Guide to Albania “This sunny slice of mountains and southern European easy living has been ground down by years of totalitarianism. But the new Albania packs a wild punch of traditional Mediterranean charm, delightfully hospitable people and a madly colorful art-driven renaissance in the capital, Tirana.” Furthermore, The New York Times newspaper has included Albania on its list of main holiday destinations. “The country offers a wealth of attractions, including sandy white Mediterranean beaches, rocky mountains, fertile plains, lakes, natural monuments and remote, pristine areas Ruins and archaeological treasures reflect a rich history dating back to the Illyrians”. The BBC World service is received and Radio France International program are also transmitted locally.
Transportation and Utilities are quite low. GSM and roaming are expensive. ADSL permanent Internet access at 30€/month is acceptable. Groceries price are reasonably low considering that most of the products are import. Conad (Italy) and Euromax (Albania) are the two largest supermarkets. Nevertheless foreigners living in Albania are used to say that going to restaurant is cheaper than cooking home! Good restaurants with Mediterranean cuisine are all over. Prices vary from the quality of the restaurants, but are generally between 5€ - 10$ per person.
Reasons to invest in Albania?
Albania signed the SAA (Stabilization and Association Agreement) in June 2006. The SAA represents an important economic and political opportunity and marks the beginning of a new phase in the EU’s relations with Albania paving the way of EU membership in 2014.s city in mind. With NATO membership achieved in April 2008 and realistic aspirations of inclusion to the EU by 2014, Albania offers investors a very unique and possibly one of the last entry level opportunities in Europe. As one of Europe’s last property frontiers, Albania has a stunning coastline, equal to those of neighbors Montenegro and Greece, but at a fraction of the price.
Political conditions in the country have never been more stable following the demise of the communist regime 15 years ago, giving property investors a lot more confidence in the market. Favorable tax conditions have also made investing in Albanian property very attractive to overseas nationals: With no transfer tax, stamp duty, VAT, or inheritance tax and just 10% capital gains and income tax, property investment in Albania is simple and cost-effective.
