How much has demand from foreigners increased the prices of apartments on the coast?

2025-08-02 08:38:00, Ekonomi CNA

How much has demand from foreigners increased the prices of apartments on the

The demand for real estate in coastal areas from Golem to Qerret, Vlora, Rradhimë, Orikum and Saranda continues to be dominated by foreign nationals, mainly from landlocked countries in Europe such as the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary.

The head of the real estate agency "Century 21" Jonian Antoni previously stated that in the coastal areas as a whole, 90% of sales are made to foreign buyers. Demand is dominated by properties of the 1+1 and 2+1 typologies with a sales value of 80 thousand euros to 300 thousand euros.

About 70% of foreign buyers, according to Mr. Antoni, use properties purchased on the coast for a few weeks of vacation per year, and the remainder of the year is used for investment through daily rental.

This demand has led to significant price increases during 2025. Overall, coastal properties have become significantly more expensive in 2025, with increases ranging from 20 to 67%, reflecting an active market oriented mainly towards foreign buyers.

Vlore

Due to increased demand from foreigners, this year the highest price increases were recorded in areas such as Lungomare, Rradhimë and Orikum, in Vlora.

On the second line of construction in Lungomare, sales prices have increased by 33 to 67% compared to a year ago.

According to data from real estate agencies, from 1,500 euros per square meter that properties in Lungomare were sold for last year, by 2025 the price ranged from 2,000 to 2,500 euros per square meter.

On the front line of construction, prices reached 2,500 to 3,500 euros per square meter, due to a lack of supply and high demand.

Residential projects continue to be added to the Rradhima area from 2023. Sales prices range from 2,000 to 3,000 euros per square meter, compared to 1,500–2,000 euros in 2024, representing an increase of 20 to 33%.

In Orikum, prices for low-end apartments have increased from 800 to 1,300 euros per square meter (an increase of 63%), while maximum prices have remained at the level of 1,500 euros per square meter.

This area is also being preferred for property purchases by immigrants, mainly those living in Italy, who use the apartment for summer vacations.

Aurela Xhaferaj, a real estate agent at the "Century 21 Aulona" agency, said earlier that 90% of the demand for properties in these areas comes from foreign citizens, mainly Italians and Albanian immigrants living abroad.

Ms. Xhaferaj emphasized that most purchases are made for investment purposes, both for rental on platforms such as Airbnb or Booking.com, and for future resale.

"The price increase has been directly influenced by the high demand for properties, especially from foreigners, mainly Italian citizens and immigrants," says Xhaferaj.

While local buyers remain focused on properties with low prices from 800 to 1,000 euros per square meter, in the urban area of Vlora.

Saranda

For several years, Saranda has been experiencing property price increases due to increased demand from foreigners. Even in this city, 90% of purchases are led by foreigners.

In Saranda this summer, sales prices for apartments in new constructions within 1,000 meters of the sea were offered at prices of 2,000 to 2,500 euros per square meter.

On the front line, prices have reached 3,000 to 3,500 euros per square meter. In resorts, apartments are being sold at prices of 4,000 euros per square meter.

For real estate market agents, the increasing trend in demand for properties from foreign tourists has led to a decrease in supply and an increase in prices.

But price increases have caused, according to local real estate agencies, demand for properties from foreigners to enter its second year of decline.

Eron Çumani, director of "Saranda Property", one of the oldest real estate agencies in the city, previously told Monitor that in 2025 demand has dropped 30% compared to 2024.

While demand shrank by 50% compared to 2023.

Ilir Konomi, director of "Albanian Property Group", a real estate agency in Saranda, also said that the finalization of sales transactions is lower than last year, due to high prices.

According to Mr. Konomi, foreigners are expected to purchase properties with sales prices below 2,000 euros.

But Jonian Antoni from Century 21 said earlier that overall demand for property on the Albanian coast remains high, driven by competitive prices compared to the region.

Golem

Even in Golem, the demand for apartments continues to be led by foreign citizens. Arjan Gjuzi, real estate agent from "Century 21 EON", says that mostly Czech, Polish and Hungarian citizens prefer to buy apartments in Golem.

According to him, foreigners mostly make purchases for investment purposes, to rent them out daily.

Due to increasing demand and decreasing supply, the sale prices of apartments on the first line in Golem reached 2,000 euros per square meter. The increase was 33% compared to 2024.

Near the "Rock of Kavaja" area, property prices increased by 11% compared to the previous year. The selling price reached 2,000 euros per square meter from 1,700 euros per square meter, which was the maximum level for 2024.

Property prices within the city of Durres also remain high, at 2,000 to 2,500 euros per square meter. According to real estate agent Arian Gjuzi, these high prices are influenced by limited supply and stable demand.

Due to high prices, demand from locals in Golem has been shrinking for almost a decade. Only this year, due to the offer of installment sales, locals have returned to shopping.

Prices in Qerret increase by up to 40%, demand from foreigners dominates

Even for the Qerret area, the increase in apartment prices continued for 2025. According to data from real estate agencies, in the first line of construction prices reached up to 2,000 euros per square meter, or 33% more compared to last year.

In the second line, prices go up to 1,700 euros per square meter, which represents an increase of about 40% compared to 2024.

In new construction in Qerret, near tourist villages, sales prices range from 1,000 to 1,400 euros per square meter.

According to real estate market experts, the price increase has been influenced by increasing demand, mainly from foreign citizens.

On the other hand, the market offer has improved in terms of urban development, with the construction of residential residences with 5 to 7 floors, equipped with swimming pools and greenery.

Arian Gjuzi from the "Century 21 EON" agency claims that around 90% of the buildings in this area are being purchased by foreigners, mainly for vacation homes and investment purposes, while demand from locals remains low.

Due to high demand in this area, prices are expected to increase by 20 to 30% in the coming years./ Monitor